KANPUR: The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) will start manufacturing new generation prosthetics early next year in collaboration with German prosthetic limb and wheelchair maker Ottobock at its factory here.

ALIMCO had in September last year, under the 'Make In India' initiative, inked the Transfer of Technology and Technical and Consultancy Services agreement with Ottobock for mass manufacturing of lower limb prosthetic systems for persons with disabilities at affordable price.

A 10-member team of engineers and technicians of ALIMCO was imparted training by Ottobock at the start of the year. The process to procure machines is under way, Managing Director of ALIMCO D R Sareen said.

"ALIMCO would start manufacturing world-class artificial limbs by early 2017. The target for the first year is 5,000 artificial limbs. By the fifth year, the annual target should be 10,000," the official said.

ALIMCO functions under the Department Of Empowerment Of Persons with Disability, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

As per the agreement between the two companies, 30 per cent of the ALIMCO-manufactured artificial limbs will be bought by Ottobock.

Sareen said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 268 crore for modernisation of ALIMCO. He said the entire process of modernisation would be completed by 2018.