Smartphone maker Maxx Mobilink to start local manufacturing of handsets.

Indian smartphone maker Maxx Mobilink plans to start production of mobile handsets at its Haridwar plant, beginning with assembling devices from April at the factory where it currently manufactures accessories such as battery and charger. The company's plans come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged manufacturers to 'make in India' and reduce the country's dependence on imports for gadgets such as mobile phones.

'Subsequently we will manufacture both feature phone and smartphone at the facility and will also set up a research and development (R&D) lab to support manufacturing,' Maxx Mobilink chairman and managing director Ajjay Agarwal told ET.

India's third largest mobile vendor Lava, too, has revealed its intention to start manufacturing in the country. It has also said that it will start assembling devices at its Noida factory from April and is planning to set up a factory at a cost of Rs. 500 crore over three years, besides looking at buying Nokia's Chennai plant.

HBL