Union Minister Piyush Goyal Approves Rs 103 Crores for Advancing Technical Textiles

The Union Minister for Textiles, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the industry. This emphasis came during the 8th Meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The Ministry of Textiles, under Minister Goyal's leadership, approved 11 project proposals, amounting to approximately Rs 103 crores.

These include nine research and development (R&D) projects, one project dedicated to machine development, and another focusing on equipment development. Notably, one of the projects is geared toward the development of high-strength carbon fiber for strategic applications, aimed at bolstering India's self-reliance in the field of technical textiles.

Diverse Applications Covered in Approved Projects

The approved projects span various application areas within the realm of technical textiles. These include two projects each for Protech, Meditech, and Mobiltech, one for Buildtech, two for Smart Textiles, and one for Sustainable Textiles. Each project aims to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in its respective domains.

Leading Research Bodies and Institutes at Forefront

Several prestigious institutions and research bodies are at the forefront of these approved projects. Institutes such as CSIR-NAL, ATIRA, NITRA, IIT Delhi, ICT-Mumbai, NIT-Jalandhar, and ColorJet India Ltd. will be spearheading the research initiatives. Their expertise and contributions are expected to play a pivotal role in driving progress in the field of technical textiles.

Minister Goyal Reviews National Technical Textiles Mission Progress

Minister Piyush Goyal conducted a comprehensive review of the various components of the National Technical Textiles Mission. This encompassed the assessment of sanctioned R&D projects, the status of applications under General Guidelines for Enabling Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles Education in India (Round II), implementation of Quality Control Orders issued by the Ministry of Textiles, patent guidelines for R&D, and outreach activities and events under NTTM.

High-Level Attendance Reflecting Cross-Sectoral Importance

The meeting saw the participation of high-ranking officials, including the Minister of State for Textiles, Darshana Jardosh, and representatives from various ministries such as Commerce and Industry, Road Transport and Highways, Heavy Industries, Railways, Jal Shakti, Expenditure, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Science & Technology, Higher Education, Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, along with eminent members from the industry.

Technical textiles play a crucial role in fostering innovation and self-reliance, contributing to advancements in various industries through their specialized functionalities and applications.