The Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, on Saturday, Febuary 4, inaugurated the conference and exposition on MHI schemes– ‘Towards Panchamrit’. With the lot of dignitaries at the dias, the event was launched with the view to promote the country towards cleaner mobility. The theme ‘Panchamrit’ signifies five clean fuels—Hydrogen, Ethanol, Bio Diesel, Gas and Electric Vehicles, adoption. The event took place at International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), Manesar, Haryana. Pandey with MoS Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar also inaugurated the exposition and ICAT Incubation Centre.

Pandey at the event emphasized that in line with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi's announcements at UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26)—‘Panchamrit Ki Saugat’, 5 commitments to achieve vision of becoming a carbon neutral country by 2070, ministries is taking comprehensive efforts to move towards fulfilling this vision. Pandey added that government has abolished duty on vehicles brought in by international automakers for testing purposes in the country, which earlier attracted duties of 252 per cent. He said this will attract automakers from more countries to avail the testing facilities available in the country and expressed his gratitude to Modi and Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman for this.

Gurjar highlighted initiatives taken by the ministry to promote clean and green mobility. He said these initiatives will give a boost to domestic manufacturing, and help in employment generation, reduce dependence on exports, and promote growth and development of the industry. With this eventually achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in automotive industry will be possible.

Ministry has taken several initiatives such as PLI – Auto, PLI – Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) and FAME-II to boost manufacturing of environmental friendly products in automotive industry. These schemes focus on creating a robust ecosystem of innovation that will enable development of clean mobility solutions and reduce carbon foot print of the country.

Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Kamran Rizvi said that through schemes PLI ACC, PLI Auto, FAME II, the ministry is taking directed action towards driving India to cleaner mobility. He highlighted that in the last five years country has adopted EV technology at a fast pace. He asked industries to avail the benefits of MHI schemes and expressed confidence that Indian automotive industries will make a place for itself in the world market.

The event was attended by automotive industry leaders, senior government officials from MHI, NITI Aayog, MoRT&H, MoP, MoP&NG, senior academicians, start-ups and students. The exposition had displays from over 84 companies which included 33 component manufacturers, 11 companies from testing equipment manufacturers and 36 vehicle manufacturers.

The technical sessions on developing technologies for hydrogen, EVs, biofuels and gas fuelled vehicles were organised. The eminent speakers of the automotive industries presented their insightful presentations on new cutting edge technologies and way forward to achieve vision of Atmanirbhar in the industry. The conference deliberations also brought out policy and regulatory ecosystem for faster adoption of these new technologies. A dedicated session was also organised where representatives of automotive industry discussed and shared suggestions with officials for successful implementation of these schemes.

The first of its kind incubation center for automotive products inaugurated at the event will nurture and hand-hold start-ups in developing the market ready products. Dignitaries also visited test facilities and certification infrastructure available at ICAT. These state of the art facilities will help in development of technologies and certification of automotive products. Over 10 start-ups displayed products which shall become market ready with the support of ICAT facilities. Around 1500 automotive professionals participated in the event.