Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari inaugurated South Asia’s biggest construction equipment fare.
Development of infrastructure is most important in developing economies stated Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari in his speech. He said, “the only possible way to make India the third largest economy is to make better infrastructure, the focus should be given on quality control.”
Gadkari said that India aims to surpass US and China in construction equipment manufacturing sector in the next five years. “India just surpassed Japan in the construction equipment manufacturing industry, and the only countries ahead are China and USA. The current size of the Indian industry is Rs. 74,000 crore, it has a growth rate of 26 percent, and has created 30 lakh jobs.”he said.
In the 23rd edition of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)’s Excon, an event that showcases construction equipment, CII director Mr. Chandrajeet Banerjee and Minister Nitin Gadkari also focused on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and environment friendly technology.
Baneejee said that this year, special focus was given to sustainable technology, alternative fuels, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT). The Union Minister emphasized the need for green technology. He said, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future, and companies should look forward in investing more in this area.” He made a special mention of JCB construction equipment company for launching its first fully hydrogen operated machinery in the event. He also said that his ministry needs better equipment for building tunnels.
He added, “Carbon neutral machinery is the government’s target in the future. India is currently facing pollution problems in many parts of the country. Therefore it is very important to work in this direction.” He gave an example of Bio- diesel, and how the raw material is not available in India—it has to be imported from Malaysia, therefore we have to find alternatives, like mixing it with other fuels.
He also mentioned a project launched by him in Bangalore under which selected buses used 25 per cent methanol as fuel. He also said that there are many developments on electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the country. The motto in the sector by the government is production that is cost effective, emitting no pollution and is indigenous. He requested the generator manufacturers present at the event to shift their technology to ethanol or methanol.He asked for a change in the mining sector, “The mining sector is very important, it is for the first time the government has allowed private investors in open mines. There is a huge potential in the sector, but it also comes with a cost to the environment. It’s time to change the technology to reduce pollution caused by the industry,”he said.
He added that there should be a special focus given to “Diversification of the construction industry and agriculture towards industry. It can start by using methanol produces by farmers in the vehicles.”
He also said that skill development courses will help in producing better results. He urged every company present at the event to organize short skill development courses. He also said that Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) should start short programs on construction equipment.
Excon is spread around 32,00,000 square feet area, with 1016 confirmed exhibitors till today. CII has also organized joy rides which provides sky view of excon through a ride in helicopter. The shortest ride is of 10 minutes and cost Rs.4999 person. While others take flyers from the airport and bring them to the exhibition, with a short tour along the way. These cost from Rs.1,25,000+ GST to Rs.2,00,000+ GST.
Around 2000 companies from 15 countries all set to showcase new inventions in construction industry, in the five day event.
The main focus of the first day was made in India EV dump trucks by Propel industries; semi automated hydraulic machines, etc. JCB launched its first hydrogen operated construction machinery.
Theme of this year’s event is innovation with regards to environment friendly approach and on alternative fuels like hydrogen, electricity and ethanol.
The other participants in the event included Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union minister for Heavy Industries, DK Shivkumar Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sanjeet Singh advisor for NITI Aayog, Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, Director General, Border Roads Organisation, Azim Premji founder of Wipro, etc.
