Guwahati: DPE hosts 2nd edition of industry 4.0 workshop in city

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: In a significant step toward accelerating digital transformation and fostering operational excellence across India’s public sector, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, organized the second edition of the Industry 4.0 Workshop in Guwahati, Assam. The event, held at a city hotel, follows the successful launch of the series in the Delhi NCR region and focuses on empowering Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in the Northeastern and Eastern regions with advanced technological capabilities.

The workshop convened chairperson-cum-managing directors (CMDs), managing directors (MDs), and functional directors from over 14 CPSEs, aiming to enhance their preparedness and strategic direction in adopting cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies. These included Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twin, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, 5G applications, Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality (AR/VR/MR), Big Data Analytics, Virtual Formulation, and CNPN-enabled 5G infrastructure.

Delivering the keynote address, K. Moses Chalai, Secretary, DPE, emphasized a “Whole-of-CPSEs” approach for mainstreaming Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies across the public sector landscape. He highlighted the critical role of these technologies in enhancing innovation, promoting self-reliance, and strengthening India’s competitive edge on the global stage.

The workshop featured a series of insightful technical sessions led by eminent experts from academia and industry. Mr. A. Anand, a leading deployment expert, shared practical use cases related to digital design, reverse engineering, 3D printing, and materials formulation, drawing from premier Indian 5G labs and additive manufacturing centres. Dr. Prabhjot Singh Sugga, Associate Professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, spoke on the transformative impact of Digital Twin technology in infrastructure, industrial plants, and disaster resilience planning.

AI and machine learning specialist Dr. Vidushi Chaturvedi provided a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is enabling predictive analytics, intelligent decision-making, and resource optimisation within the public sector. She also addressed the associated risks and highlighted the need for ethical guardrails and regulatory mechanisms to ensure responsible AI adoption.

The workshop saw enthusiastic participation and lively discussions from representatives of key CPSEs, including Coal India Ltd., Oil India Ltd. (Duliajan), Numaligarh Refinery Ltd., NEEPCO Ltd., BSNL, Hindustan Copper Ltd., Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd., The Jute Corporation of India Ltd., North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd., Power Grid, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd., and Brahmaputra Cracker & Polymer Ltd. The diversity of sectors—spanning energy, infrastructure, chemicals, mining, and telecommunications—underscored the wide relevance and urgency of Industry 4.0 adoption.

A highlight of the event was the visit to Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), where participants explored ongoing digital initiatives and potential collaborations. Backed by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the visit focused on leveraging AMTRON’s capabilities in deploying smart solutions, 5G infrastructure, and 3D printing technologies tailored to regional needs. The Guwahati workshop forms part of DPE’s nationwide initiative aimed at building sector-specific and region-sensitive capacity in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. These workshops are structured around DPE’s Concept Paper and Adoption Potential Matrix, designed to contextualise 4IR technologies to each enterprise’s operational challenges and opportunities.

This forward-looking initiative aims to build a digitally empowered and globally competitive public sector. By August 2025, similar workshops will be held across other regions, culminating in a comprehensive, unified strategy to align India’s CPSEs with global best practices in digital innovation. Through these engagements, the DPE reaffirms its commitment to guiding CPSEs on their digital journey, supporting sustainable development, and positioning India as a leading innovation-driven economy.

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