Govt to set up specialised body to promote auto sector

20 Feb 2012 Evaluate

The government has proposed setting up of a specialised body to promote sustainable development of the Indian auto sector called the National Automotive Board (NAB). The body which is expected to be set up by April 2012, will succeed the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP). It is being set up with a view to facilitate communication between the government and the industry, promote research and development activities and have a larger role in developing skills for the growing automobile sector. Besides, it is also expected to act as a think-tank for the government, especially for the growth of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.

The proposal for setting up the board is being finalised by the Department of Heavy Industry and is likely to be cleared by the Cabinet in a month. The board will have members from the Department of Heavy Industry, Planning Commission and from various ministries, including Road Transport and Highways, Science and Technology, Environment and Forests. It would also include scientists and industry representatives.

NAB is expected to succeed NATRIP, which was formed to set up new auto testing and R&D centres along with upgrading the existing ones. It was set up for upgradation of three existing automotive testing and R&D centres -- the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) at Ahmednagar, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) at Pune and International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) at Manesar. In addition, NATRIP's mandate was to set up four greenfield centres at Chennai, Indore, Silchar and Rae Bareilly for automotive testing, homologation and R&D. As per government officials, these centres are now established and some of them have been upgraded and therefore the role of NATRIP has been completed.

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