MHI and IIT Roorkee Join Forces to Propel Innovation in the Automotive and Electric Vehicle Sector

New Delhi: In a move towards fostering innovation and advancement in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) domain, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The ceremonial signing took place in the presence of Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of Heavy Industries, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (via VC), and senior officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the State of Uttarakhand.

Under this collaborative agreement, both entities are set to initiate groundbreaking initiatives by establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) and an Industry Accelerator at IIT Roorkee. The joint effort falls under the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase II of MHI, aiming to leverage the combined knowledge and resources of MHI and IIT Roorkee for influential projects shaping the future of transportation.

The MoU was officially signed by Prof. K.K Pant on behalf of IIT Roorkee and Vijay Mittal, JS MHI, representing the Ministry. The collaboration is designed to launch advanced initiatives with a total grant of ₹19.8745 Cr. from MHI and an additional ₹4.78 Cr. contributed by industry partners, resulting in a total project cost of ₹24.6645 Cr. This joint endeavor seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering research, development, and implementation efforts to translate innovative concepts into tangible solutions.

Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey highlighted the role of the Capital Goods Scheme in advancing new technologies, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat, and propelling India towards global export prominence. He emphasized the Industry Accelerator’s focus on fostering collaboration between academia and industry, noting the MoU signing between MHI and IIT Roorkee as a pivotal step.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude for MHI’s approval of projects under the Capital Goods Scheme in Uttarakhand, particularly beneficial for the e-mobility sector. He commended IIT Roorkee’s commitment to addressing crucial projects and fostering a culture of research and development.

IIT Roorkee, known for its commitment to innovation and excellence, will collaborate with ICAT, Manesar, in this project. ICAT, a premier facility dedicated to testing, certification, and research in the automotive sector, will contribute vital services, including automotive electrical and electronics testing, further propelling India’s transition towards electric mobility.