Union Minister for Heavy Industries,Shri  H D Kumaraswamy, visited the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar today. During his visit, the minister toured the state-of-the-art facility, which is a testament to India’s growing prowess in automotive innovation and safety standards.

The minister was given an in-depth overview of ICAT’s advanced laboratories, testing tracks, and cutting-edge technologies, including crash tests, acoustic rooms for reverberation studies, and fuel flow testing mechanisms.
During his visit he laid the foundation stone of Electrical & Electrical Lab and Centre of Excellence for Advanced Automotive IT Services (AAITS) in the presence of Dr. Tejaswi S. Naik, IAS, PS to Minister (HI) and Shri Saurabh Dalela, Director ICAT and other senior officials.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Kumaraswamy said, “It is my pleasure to be here on my first visit to ICAT, an institution that represents India's drive towards automotive excellence. ICAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its advanced laboratories and testing infrastructure, are a testament to India’s capabilities in automotive innovation.”

The minister highlighted the crucial role ICAT plays in ensuring road safety through rigorous testing procedures. “Witnessing these facilities and tests today has given me a profound perspective on the rigorous efforts undertaken here to ensure the safety of every individual who travels on our roads. It showcases the complexity and commitment behind each test,” he added.

Shri Kumaraswamy commended the ICAT team for their invaluable contributions to the automotive sector, emphasizing their role in advancing sustainability, safety, and innovation. *“ICAT is not just a testing and research facility; it embodies the shared vision of the ministry and the government to drive the future of mobility in India,”* he said.

The minister also noted ICAT’s significant contributions to government initiatives such as the FAME scheme, PM eDrive, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. He underlined the importance of ICAT’s involvement in promoting indigenous manufacturing and global competit iveness in the automotive sector.

“ICAT stands as a symbol of India’s automotive aspirations, contributing significantly to our transition to electric mobility and sustainable transportation. The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains committed to supporting ICAT in every possible way to ensure its continued growth and success,” Shri  Kumaraswamy assured.

The Indian automotive industry, which contributes over 7% to the nation’s GDP and employs millions, is expected to witness robust growth in the coming years. The minister emphasized that ICAT’s technical expertise, research, and homologation services would play a pivotal role in ensuring that this growth is sustainable, safe, and competitive on a global scale.

Concluding his visit,Shri Kumaraswamy reaffirmed the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ commitment to fostering innovation, creating policy frameworks, and building infrastructure to position India as a global leader in automotive technology.

“Together, we can make India a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, ensuring safer, better vehicles for Indian and global customers alike,” he said.
ICAT is a leading world class automotive testing, certification, homologation, R&D and Design & Engineering service provider, is one of the divisions of  National Automotive Board, an autonomous body under Ministry of HeavyIndustries , Government of India.

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TPJ

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