Volvo CE has always been ahead in terms of innovative technology.

Government's support to ease liquidity and extra moratorium to ease out financing will be great.

Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE India

Why rebooting the activities in the road sector is so important?

Roads form the backbone for developing economy. As road sector offers highest employment potential and economic development of the country, rebooting of the activities in this sector is crucial. Once road connectivity is established it gives opportunity for development of SEZ's, industrial parks and enhances export opportunity.

How do you assess the initiatives from the government / NHAI specifically to reboot the activities in the road sector?

MORTH / NHAI / NHIDCL has budgeted huge investment in the current fiscal budget for road construction. NHAI has started awarding of contracts and timely clearance of contractor payments to improve liquidity. NHAI is working on a war footing to resolve disputes worth a staggering Rs 80,000 crore, besides reviewing projects to expedite work. Government has plans in place to execute at least 20% more road completion compared to the previous fiscal year. Such positive initiatives from government have accelerated the road building activities.

Volvo CE has always been ahead in terms of innovative technology hat are the major constraints in today's context and how these pressure points can be eased out?

Equipment financing has become a challenge for contractors as financiers are cautious on new equipment funding. Government's support to ease liquidity and extra moratorium to ease out financing will be great.

Equipment upkeep and availability through service engineers has slowed down due to logistics and other hygiene norms to be followed due to Covid-19. Restart of machine guidelines have been given in advance to customers for restart of machines.

Skilled operator availability challenges for project execution in time - ICEMA in conjunction with NSDL has taken initiatives to train the unemployed youth and make them employable for the construction industry. Volvo CE India has been an active contributor to the initiative of educating and certifying operators to improve their employability and making them more successful, productive and safe operators.

Incentivising and motivating customers to take annual maintenance service packages still remain a challenge, so more exposure to such offerings should be created.

What is the scope and potential of leveraging the edge of digital tools in the entire eco-system of road sector? 

We have huge potential for leveraging the edge of digital tools in the entire eco-system of road sector. Volvo CE has always been ahead in terms of innovative technology, and brings tools like Volvo Assist for optimum excavation, stringless paving for reducing time and labour at sites, intelligent compaction system for good quality construction, and remote diagnosis of trouble shooting.  We also find many contractors are becoming early adopters of the digital tools and they are able to reduce costs and improve productivity in their projects. More awareness and incentivizing contractors to go for these technologies should be the next step.

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