National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP): Overview

National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP): Overview

Question - Good governance initiatives include R&D projects which can boost the different sectors of the economy. Provide an overview of the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) in this context.

CCEA has recently approved the extension of date of completion of the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP)

• Project involves setting up of different facilities to ensure state of the art automotive testing, homologation and research & development facilities.

• As per the project, the following centres will be set up:

- Complete testing and homologation centre within the northern hub of the Manesar automotive industry in Haryana.

- Complete testing and homologation centre within southern hub of Chennai automotive industry in TN

- Upgradation of existing testing and homologation facilities at ARAI/ Automotive Research Association of India and VRDE/Vehicle Research and Development Establishment

- State of the art proving grounds/testing tracks on 4,000 acres of land (inclusive of summer and winter pads) to be ascertained by reputed global consultants

- Setting up of National Centre for Testing of Tractors and Off Road Vehicles and a national facility for accident data analysis and specialised driving training in Rae Bareilly, UP

- Setting up of National Specialised Hill Area Driving Training Centre and Regional In-Use Vehicle Management Centre at Silchar, Assam

• Project also envisages establishment of facilities at 7 locations:
- Ahmednagar,
- Silchar,
- Rae Bareilly,
- Pune,
- Manesar,
- Chennai and
- Indore

• The project aims to create core global competencies and enhance competitive skills for product development leading to intensification of manufacturing

• The project also aims at synergising India’s capabilities in IT with the automotive sector

• The aim is seamless integration of India’s automotive industry with the world

• Services offered by NATRIP include the following:

- Homologation: Process of certifying vehicles for road worthiness

- NATRIP is the largest and most significant initiative to improve homologation and testing centres across the country

- It is working towards establishing world class facilities for homologation and testing of vehicles such as Engine Powertain, Passive safety , EMC, NVH, Fatigue, Certification, Material, Tyres and Vehicle dynamics which will be the first of their kind in India

- Automobile applications: NATRIP centres are committed to provide world class training in the field of automobile applications

Facts and Stats

• NATRIP is one of the largest initiatives of its kind in India

• It is a collaboration between the Centre and state governments as well as automotive industry
of India for creating top of the line Testing, Validation and R&D infrastructure in the nation

• Project aims at development of global core competencies within the automotive sector and seamless integration of the Indian industry with the world

Project also aims to position the nation prominently on the national automotive map