The government needs to work out on policies that will boost demand.

Safar Mohammad Khan, DGM-HDD, Apollo Techno Industries Pvt Ltd

What are challenges which you foresee impacting the economy as a whole, and the CE sector on the demand side?

Covid-19 has turned into a worldwide crisis, evolving at unprecedented speed and scale. No industry is immune including the construction equipment sector. Construction equipment companies are impacted  both at the manufacturing and supply chain management front. We are facing serious problems in supply chain management and procurement systems as most of our suppliers are overseas.The fall in volume sale of HDD rigsis expected primarily due to severe loss in sales in the months of April -September and an overall weakness in the economy but situation is expected to improve post Deepawali as lot of projects are prepared with the financial planning such as CGD, fibreroll out, sewerage and water pipeline, road construction, bridges and metro projects etc.

What further measures should be undertaken by the states / central governments?

The government needs to work out on policies that will boost demand. Stimulus package what was offered by GOI was not sufficient. Interest subsidy under MSME should be made easier by government as mortgage on collateral seems costly and lengthy process for the equipment manufacturers and PMC/ contractors. The production-linked incentive scheme should be approved by GOI.

Central and state government should focus on medium and small enterprises. The credit package unveiled earlier has met some of their needs, but several things noted on the implementation part which was not at par. Many small companies find they are ineligible to receive the benefits of these schemes due to various reasons. These hurdles need to be removed without any delay and finally, the government needs to carry out an intensive infrastructure spending programme. The previous style of incremental reforms is no longer good enough. Bold measures are needed and this government must take them rapidly to revive the economy.

How do you see the impact on the investment scenario in infra projects?

India is witnessing significant interest from international investors in the infrastructure space. The infrastructure sector has become the biggest focus area for the Government of India. India plans to spend US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure during 2019-23 to have a sustainable development of the country. Infra projects on CGD gas distribution, OFC network distribution, roads and highways construction, metro project I expected to gather pace. We are optimistically looking over the large investment scheme projected by GOI.

Post pandemic era how do you envision the transformation of manufacturing processes? Industry solutions which includes connectivity, advanced analytics, automation, and advanced-manufacturing technologies were gaining momentum before Covid-19. Post Covid this will further be strengthened and digitalization will help transform the industry.

What is the current scenario in terms of R&D?

Apollo Techno Industries has major role for the developing the OFC cable and its network by using HDD or trenchless method. Around 500 machines are working nationwide and continuously laying telecom ducts, electricity board's (SEB) 11 kv,33 KV power cables. Down the line we have come into the high grade maxi rigs for developing the infrastructure of gas pipe line includes CGD, LDPLP,CCP. Since inception, we followed all scientific practices to identify further upgradations and enhancement in our product lines that is only possible by our R&D Team. We have strong focus on digitalization of processes and also bringing tech-enabled solutions in all our products.

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