Exclusive: CII Mining Chairman Calls For Deeper Manufacturing Ecosystem To Boost India’s Infrastructure Push

In an exclusive conversation with Times Now Digital, Vivek Bhatia, Chairman, CII Mining and Construction Equipment Division and Managing Director and CEO of TKIL Industries Ltd shares what is the need of the hour to boost India’s infrastructure push, how AI and automation can play a significant role in the mining and construction sector and how the nation can move towards more sustainable growth.
Q. As India is targeting a big infrastructure boost, what are the challenges and how can they be promptly overcome?
A. The key will be to make the manufacturing ecosystem in India deeper and broader. This requires focus from the Government and policymakers like it was done for the automotive industry and auto components manufacturing ecosystem. Also we need to support the infrastructure sector through financial support and incentives. Furthermore, we need to promote innovation and research in India and also drive the expansion of casting, forging, hydraulics and automation segments in the supply chain. Additionally, we need to promote more actively skilling in this space.
Q. How will AI transform the mining sector in the next 5 years-given the concerns around automation and jobs?
A. ⁠AI and automation are an important element in enhancing safety and sustainability in the mining and construction sector. Particularly for underground mining, this can be transformational for tapping into blocked resources that are hard to extract by conventional means.
Q. The world needs more minerals for energy transition but mining also raises environmental concerns, how can India balance faster mining and sustainable growth?
A. ⁠Mining, including for critical minerals is energy intensive. At the same time it’s important for the robust economic growth of the country. The key will be to drive up mechanisation, conveyor-ization and electrification of the process to improve safety, productivity and very importantly to reduce the emissions from the sector.