Adoption of sustainable technologies is the overarching technology trend

- Vivek Hajela

Vice President and Head, Construction Equipment Business, L&T Construction and Mining Machinery

The government has put the country's infrastructure development on the fast track with the mega plans introduced under the National Infrastructure Pipeline programme. How do you view the infrastructure developments happening currently?

The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) aims to provide world-class infrastructure to citizens and improve their quality of life. Under the initiative, the government has identified more than 9,000 projects with an estimated investment of $1,794 billion in the transport, logistics, energy, water sanitation, communications, commercial and social Infrastructure sectors. Of this, 2,295 projects have been commissioned. Additionally, with the execution of ambitious projects like Gati Shakti, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and Jal Jeevan Mission being fast-tracked, the government is on a mission mode to make India a $5 trillion economy. We are witnessing a regular stream of contract awards from sectors like roads & highways, metro & suburban railways, irrigation and water management.

However, between April and July this year, although the construction equipment (CE) industry witnessed a year-over-year growth following lower sales in the previous corresponding period due to pandemic-induced slowdown, demand has been lower than expected. This we hope will revive after monsoons, and the sector will register growth for the year.

We also hope that the Centre and the states will take the necessary steps to expedite project execution throughout the country. The growth rate is expected to rise as projects undertaken by the government gain momentum gradually. We believe it will create immense opportunities for all players in the CE sector, including L&T Construction and Mining Machinery, which has always pioneered the introduction of cutting-edge technologies revolutionising the industry over the years.

What is trending in the Indian mining sector? How do your products and solutions drive the trend?

Commodities are currently in a sweet spot and are riding an upcycle. Coal, iron ore and limestone projects are all undergoing capacity expansion. Users are upgrading to larger class mining machines and are planning to induct global technologies and products. Telematics and vehicle health monitoring systems are now almost standard fitments on the mining machines. There is also a serious effort toward adopting international safety standards prescribed by the DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety).

In addition, corporate users are also focusing on sustainability and environmental protection. Accordingly, the adoption of sustainable technologies is the overarching technology trend. The use of alternative fuels like biodiesel, autonomous machinery, electro mobility, connected machines with telematics, and digitalisation are some of the recent technology trends in the global and domestic CE industry. Manufacturers are also focusing on safety, operator comfort, ultra-low emission and higher productivity.

How are the company's solutions contributing to the country's infrastructure development?

'Sustainable Technology' is the focus at L&T. In sync, Komatsu and Scania, along with L&T Construction & Mining Machinery, have introduced highly productive machines backed with cutting-edge technologies that are safe to operate, provide operator comfort and offer ease of operations.

For L&T, customers have always been at the core of all actions and decisions. With our credo 'In Service lies Success', we have been delivering superior value to customers in terms of the latest technology and superior performance of products along with unmatched after-sales support. Recent initiatives undertaken by Komatsu and L&T are:

Equip-Care: Our pro-active after-sales support program seamlessly integrates smart machines, customers' requirements, and a capable team across the country to provide unmatched after-sales support experience to our CE Customers.

Suraksha-10000 / MCP-4 Machine care program is another unique, industry-leading initiative from L&T and Komatsu. Under this program, an array of Komatsu's machines are covered with extended power train warranties for four years or 10,000 hours bundled with a host of value-added services such as free scheduled service visits every 500 hours, Komatsu Energy Saving Training and Guidance, PM clinics, Komatsu Undercarriage Inspection and Machine health reports. The program ensures 'True Peace of Mind' for customers.

Komatsu's Next Gen, Dash 10M0 'Truly Efficient' excavators developed with the Indian customer in mind have pushed the technology envelope of efficiency to the next level. These machines with technologies like viscous-fan-clutch have enabled customers to get all the power developed by the engine at the hydraulic pump with a negligible amount of energy loss on account of peripherals on the engine (gross hp ~ net hp). Improved hydraulics and load sensing variable hp configuration have enabled these machines to provide unmatched fuel efficiency while ensuring the highest productivity for our customers.

While digitalisation enables machine health and performance monitoring, at the core of these machines are hydro-mechanical systems. Komatsu's next-gen Komtrax systems on their range of hydraulic excavators have enabled customers to monitor working load conditions and machine utilisation at various operating modes. This system also comes with a host of tools to guide the operator on optimal utilisation, machine health and safety.

As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, we offer an array of indigenously developed and manufactured comprehensive solutions. These include wheel loaders - L&T9020 and L&T 9020-SX; skid-steer loader S315R; soil compactor L&T1190; tandem compactor 990HFi; mini compactor L&T491 and pneumatic tyre roller 2490HD. This apart, we manufacture slope compactors, crusher buckets and rock splitters.

What are the sustainability initiatives from the company in its products and operations?

In line with the government's commitment at the COP26 Summit that India would achieve carbon neutrality by 2070, Komatsu, the principal of L&T Construction & Mining Machinery (L&T CMB), has introduced a range of biodiesel-compatible equipment for the Indian construction and mining industry.

The range of mining biodiesel-compatible equipment includes hydraulic excavators, dump trucks, wheel loaders, crawler dozers, motor graders and water sprinklers. In May, Komatsu India Private Limited (KIPL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Komatsu Ltd, Japan, rolled out India's first mining truck compatible with biofuel from its advanced manufacturing plant in Chennai.

The fuel systems of these equipment are designed to work with B20 without any visible change in the performance and without altering the maintenance schedule. In addition, these machines can also run on 100% diesel without any modification, offering users flexibility along with quality, reliability and durability.

These machines will enhance job site efficiency, reduce fossil fuel consumption by running on biodiesel blends up to B20 and offer an excellent and immediate opportunity for the construction and mining equipment industry to contribute to the COP26 target.

In addition, Komatsu and L&T's product portfolio also include electric excavators and dump trucks for the mining and construction industry. Komatsu and L&T have delivered electric-powered large-size hydraulic shovel model PC3000 for coal mines in Central India.

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