In a significant move towards boosting technical textiles in the country, the Ministry of Textiles, led by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, has given the green light to 11 Research and Development (R&D) projects, totaling INR 103 Crores. These projects span various domains within Technical Textiles, reflecting a commitment to advancements in this crucial sector.
Focus on Collaboration for Indigenous Development
During the 8th Meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Minister Piyush Goyal stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and industry. He emphasized the necessity to foster indigenous development of technical textiles products, aligning with the nation’s self-reliance goals.
Diverse Project Approvals
The approved projects comprise nine R&D initiatives, one machine development project, and one equipment development project. Notably, one of these projects concentrates on creating high-strength carbon fiber for strategic applications, aiming to make India self-reliant in the realm of Technical Textiles.
Wide-ranging Applications Covered
The sanctioned projects span various application areas of technical textiles, including 2 projects each in Protech, Meditech, and Mobiltech, 1 project in Buildtech, Smart Textiles, and Sustainable Textiles each. This diverse approach showcases a comprehensive strategy towards the growth of technical textiles in different sectors.
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Institutes Leading the Way
Leading the charge in these projects are renowned institutes and research bodies such as CSIR-NAL, ATIRA, NITRA, IIT Delhi, ICT-Mumbai, NIT-Jalandhar, and Colorjet India Ltd., among others. Their involvement highlights the collaborative nature of these initiatives.
Reviewing Progress and Future Strategies
Minister Piyush Goyal also took the opportunity to review the progress of various components of the National Technical Textiles Mission. This included an assessment of sanctioned R&D projects, the status of applications under General Guidelines for Enabling Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles Education in India (Round-II), implementation of Quality Control Orders by the Ministry of Textiles, patent guidelines of R&D, outreach activities, and events under NTTM.
Key Attendees and Stakeholders
The meeting saw the participation of key figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Higher Education, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and members from other Ministries. Eminent members from the industry also attended, reflecting a comprehensive approach towards advancing the technical textiles sector in India.
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