Tag: Mr. Saurabh Sanyal

Business World

Inter-Modal Stations, New Innovation in Roads & Highways Sector of India

Oct 24, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr Ranjeet Mehta, #Mr. Ashish Wig, #Mr. R K Pandey, #Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, #Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, #PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The government has undertaken proactive steps to ensure construction momentum is maintained and, the ministry has come up with a revised BOT toll document and proposed a new HAM document by revisiting the existing document by affecting many changes which have been sent to concerned stakeholders ministries for their feedback and suggestions, deliberated Mr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, IAS, Joint Secretary (Highways), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India in the inaugural session of “National Roads and Highways Sector in India” organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Ghosh shared that there will be an increase in the funding towards the National Infrastructure Plan, in the next 5 years. He mentioned that we need to shorten the timelines of ToT for this management committee, formed for building new mechanisms for asset monetization and funding of projects.

He also shared that the ministry in consultation with World Bank has started a new initiative of Inter Modal Stations (IMS), the first one already under implementation in Ajni near Nagpur. He further added 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are planned with public sector MMLP to be set up in the North East Region. The idea is not just to build roads, but also to increase Logistics Efficiency in India.

Mr. R K Pandey, Member – Projects, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) while deliberating about the importance of quality roads mentioned that the Bharatmala program is one of the ambitious programs of the Government, planned in phases, emphasizing mobility that needs to be focused for the betterment of the future. We are even focusing on greenfield alignment.

He discussed that in order avoid delay in road projects there will be no award of projects till 90% of the land required for the project is acquired and for any reason, any part of the land for road projects is not available, then it will be separated from existing scope work of concession agreement and the whole process of acquisition has now been digitized by Bhoomi Rashi portal set up the government.

He further added that and in case of disputes arises before and during the construction phase, NHAI has set up three reconciliation committees that have settled 51 cases of claims out of 124 to date. Talking about the success of the road sector, he mentioned that every sector of demand of the market has been taken into consideration.

He also mentioned that looking at the present times, we are planning and making at various models that will help to generate employment and finances at the same time giving ignition to this sector. He said that alternate dispute resolution has been the main focus of NHAI.

Mr. Pandey highlighted that we are looking for performance, not outlook, and shared that the process of land acquisition is speeding up with the help of technology. There is also simplification and speed up in the process of dispute resolution as well. He also shared that we have given full freedom to contractors for cost reduction.

Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential remarks congratulated Mr. Ghosh and Mr. Pandey for being successfully awarded the third bundle of National Highways projects under the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) route, under the dynamic leadership of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Govt. of India.

Mr. Aggarwal mentioned that Roads and highways are one of the most significant parts of any country’s infrastructure sector, and are also used as an indicator of any country’s economic prosperity.

Talking about the programs and initiatives undertaken by the government in the past few years, he talked about the Bharatmala program, being a game-changer program giving opportunities to stakeholder involvement followed by Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) route which will further act as a force multiplier in employment generation and sectoral growth back to pre-pandemic levels at the same time overcome the issues and challenges due to pandemic.

Mr. Aggarwal recommended the need for facilitating heavy funding in the infrastructure projects in the form of mega investments that will give a boost to this sector. He also recommended changing the bidding process by restricting the number of bidders and not allowing them to quote below the estimated price.

He emphasized the need to prepare good quality DPRs to ensure that all the technicalities have been addressed. Coordination between the state and central governments is also pivotal to speed up the project implementation process. He further added the there is a need to revisit issues such as the bidding process, poor quality of DPRs, clearances, and dispute resolution mechanism

for ensuring the growth momentum.

Mr. Sudhir Hoshing, Chairman, Infrastructure Development Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce, and Industry while giving an industry perspective mentioned that roads are the key to wiping the poverty from a country as it’s linked to employment generation, city development leading to change in the mindset of countrymen.

He discussed that the road sector has been a churning sector despite the pandemic and the need of the hour is to reduce the cost of road construction at the same time using durable construction material as well.

Mr. Ashish Wig, Mentor, Infrastructure Development Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed that road infrastructure is the key drivers towards the growth of the economy. He also discussed the need to focus on road construction along with the intervention in the technology.

Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his concluding remarks deliberated that India has a well-developed framework for Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) in the highway sector and The Government of India is planning to expand the national highway network in the next few years.

As the world prepares for the ‘new normal’ after COVID-19, every stakeholder, from the government, Corporates and bankers, needs to take action to adapt to their new reality and give ignition towards making India Self-Reliant.

The session was moderated by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was attended by many industry stalwarts pan-India.

Business World

Need for Domestic Manufacturing of Smartphones, a step towards Self-Reliant India

Sep 23, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Domestic Manufacturing of Smartphones, #Dr. Yogesh Srivastav, #Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal, #Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, #Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, #PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In the upcoming years there is a huge opportunity for India by creating, sourcing, making and exporting Smartphone from India, shared Mr. Sanmeet Kochhar, Vice President, HMD Global in a session organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Smartphone Industry post COVID-19’.

Mr. Sanmeet Kochhar mentioned that with a decline in the world GDP, according to reports the worldwide Smartphone market has suffered the largest decline year-on-year. Talking about the challenges and opportunities, he discussed that there is a need for secure enterprise mobility.

According to many studies, 2021 will rebound with 6% YoY growth in Smartphones, and looking at the present times, there is an increase in the usage time of smartphones. Value-added services like insurance, extended warranty, or things that help to build value in their purchase are expected to increase in the upcoming years, deliberated by Mr. Kochhar.

Mr. Sunil Joon, Vice President & Chief Product Officer, Micromax Informatics Ltd, while giving an industry perspective mentioned that there is a decline in the shipments due to COVID and an increase in the online channel of smartphones, which is also expected to grow at a much faster pace.

He mentioned that due to COVID-19, consumers have increased their buying on online channels. The consumer services on these online channels have generated stickiness in their consumer’s minds. Due to this, the presence of online channels has been registered in remote and rural areas as well. He also said that looking at the present market trends, there is a need for a fresh perspective for sales and distribution in the offline market.

Talking about the future growth prospects of the industry, he said that this is a highly resilient industry. Also, with the emergence of digital learning and remote working, this industry has increased its users. Now, this industry needs to look at affordability for driving the market along with more user-friendly features.

Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, deliberated about the growing need for the strong telecom network in the times of the pandemic to stay connected with each other. He discussed that while there are a lot of challenges in this industry to cater to; there is a pool of opportunities as well which makes this sector one of the pivotal sectors for the growth of the economy. He also discussed the rise in the usage of smartphones which offers multiple user-friendly features, is portable, and comes at affordable prices.

Mr. Aggarwal also highlighted that due to COVID-19, one of the challenges the Smartphone industry is facing is on the manufacturing side. Therefore, there is a need to amplify the domestic manufacturing and production of smartphones which will help to expand the market and increase the ability to adapt the technology, leading to the growth of the economy and a move towards a Self-Reliant India.

Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal, Chairman, Telecom Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while giving a background of the mobile industry, highlighted that India has the capability to manufacture smartphones in India and Government is encouraging domestic manufacturing in a significant manner with robust notifications. He discussed that during and post-pandemic, there is will be a significant shortage in the spare parts due to international manufacturing disruption. He hopes that with the diligent efforts of the Indian Government, the Smartphone industry amplifies its manufacturing growth and makes this industry Self-Reliant.

Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHD Chamber, in his formal vote of thanks, deliberated that Covid-19 has accelerated the pace of technology adoption across the country and allowed many useful apps, making Smartphone an integral part of lives. He discussed that Indian brands can benefit from the Make in India and Digital India initiatives from the government to take control of manufacturing rather than depending on outside ODMs to design and manufacture their products. He highlighted that the Indian market for smartphones needs innovation and investment in R&D, building in-house capability with a greater possibility of localization, quality control, and differentiation.

The session was moderated by Dr. Yogesh Srivastav, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, and was supported by Paramount Communications Limited, and was successfully attended by the industry stalwarts.

Business World

South Asia is one of the Hardest-hit Regions with Climate Change, says Abhas Jha of World Bank in a PHDDCI Webinar

Sep 16, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Abhas Jha, #Mr. K V Rajan, #Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, #PHDCCI, #world bank

In a re-set world with Covid-19 and prolong lockdown, accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is much more important now for the United Nation Member States like India and Nepal. Notwithstanding the challenges, the SDGs (Global Goals) should be redefined to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. With reimagining South Asian Cooperation at large, under the aegis of its India-Nepal Centre and in association with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Sterlite Technologies Ltd, PHDCCI organised the webinar: “Redefining SDG Enablers for India and Nepal”.

In his keynote address, Mr. Abhas Jha, Practice Manager (Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management), South Asia Region, World Bank said that climate change is one of the most focused SDG out of 17 SDGs. He reflected on the fundamental similarities between COVID-19 and Climate Change that included potential simultaneous exogenous shocks to supply and demand; renewed focus on the long-term resilience of the system for short and long term performance and, the need for global and regional coordination and collaborations.

Talking about climate vulnerabilities in South Asia, he shared that South Asia is one of the hardest-hit regions with climate change. He also cited about the effects of climate change on sectors like poverty; melting snow and glaciers, decrease in water levels, rise in sea level, flood-related damages, the decline in living standards, and many more. Mr. Jha emphasized the need to strengthen energy cooperation in South Asia and complement each other with resources and, there are a lot of positive developments for the same. The World Bank has estimated these corporations can help in the short run as it can address electricity shortages and, medium run, it can maximize climate mitigation benefits and strengthen resilience. He concluded on a note that the changing geostrategic fundamentals in the region will have an impact on the South Asian countries’ bid to achieve SDGs.

The pandemic has made us realize to look at technology-driven solutions for minimizing the obstacles in meeting the SDGs goals. Mitigating actions are important and, India has been in the lead, said Amb Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri, India’s former Ambassador to Nepal. Amb Puri mentioned that India lives in harmony with nature and, SDGs are a fundamental inter-governmental process. India has been a great leader in the solar power sector and climate disaster resilient infrastructure. Amb Puri highlighted that Nepal is a stable nation with the availability of resources and services. It has great institutions and, it now needs to emphasize on increasing wealth creation and growth. Nepal needs to collaborate with India in its projects and be more competitive for the world. COVID-19 is a wakeup call and, India-Nepal needs to grow with the support of each other.

Mr. Yugal Joshi, Director, Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI mentioned that all SDG goals are interconnected and, public participation especially of women and children, are the keys to achieve these goals. He mentioned that the Swatch Bharat Mission was successfully implemented with the integration of 4Ps that was the political leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister; public finance; strong partnership and, public participation. During the pandemic, under Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, we build community toilets that gave employment to labourers. In Jal Jeevan Mission, we have been able to give water connection facilities to a greater share of the population. Our mission has been to integrate rural population, educate them, and create awareness within them, said Mr. Joshi.

Mr. Omair Ahmad, South Asia Editor, The Third Pole pointed on the need for an inclusive developmental framework and how the global pandemic has made the economies, fragile and uncertain. He called for a more resilient economic structure. The transition that needs to happen between India-Nepal has been an energy transition and including local action across the ground for stable prosperity. We need to find partnerships between developing and developed countries to make energy transitions.

While talking about the role of the private sector towards SDGs, Ms. Akanksha Sharma, Head-Social Impact & Sustainability, Sterlite Technologies Ltd shared that we cannot deny the role of technology, which has gone hand in hand with economic development. We need to integrate technology solutions for mitigating the SDGs. She emphasized on the need for creating social impact with the deeper government and industry interface, with this, the SDGs goals can be attained in India. Similar actions would be imperative in Nepal as well.

Mr. Akhilesh Upadhyay, Senior Fellow, IIDS, Kathmandu mentioned that SDG’s are the natural evolution of MDG’s, so the priority is MDG’s. Growth and jobs are the focus for us along with clean and green energy are other focus sectors for us. Nepal will need continuous investment and, it has to rely on foreign investment. SDG goals need to be embedded in the policy-making from the grass-root level and, there needs to faster implementation. He added that contraction in the Indian economy and other major global economies will have an adverse impact on Nepal, primarily so, as Nepal’s economy is remittance-drive and has exposure to the ongoing economic meltdown across the world.

Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI stressed on the need to look upon SDGs along with the pandemic for the betterment of the world. While COVID-19 and lockdown have massively disrupted the economy and society, looking at solutions for SDG is a pivotal concern, he added. The SDGs goals should be redefined to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. We have to keep on stressing the issues of environment and, as part of the world, we need to work together to mitigate the challenges of climate change, said Mr. Aggarwal.

Amb Mr. K V Rajan, Chairman, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI and India’s Former Ambassador to Nepal chaired the Session and ruminated on the deep-rooted relationship shared by India and Nepal, growing itself in diverse verticals, encouraging business and trade between industries. Talking about SDGs, there is a need to intensify actions across society and strengthen the inclusive framework. He also said that the growth should have a humane face and the industry has to play a vital role in attaining it.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General, PHDCCI recounted about India-Nepal Centre’s unwavering commitment for strengthening India-Nepal relations and working for the crucial matters including SDGs. He said that along with PHDCCI’s Strategic Partner CNI, it aims to work for deepening the regional and sub-regional economic cooperation. Also, both the institutions are working under the aegis of India-Nepal Centre, for promoting the integration among Asian Chambers.

The other panellists were Mr. Bishal Thapa, Economist & MD, Saral Urja; Mr. Atul K Thakur, Nodal Coordinator, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI;

Mr. Kedar Nuepane, Board Member, Nepal Policy Institute and Mr. Jayandra Shrestha, Development Management Expert.