The construction & infrastructure sector will make a strong comeback to support the revival of the Indian economy, says TONY VAN HERBRUGGEN

The Central Government is charting a plan to set up three large manufacturing zones for power equipment in different places in the country.

The country’s second-largest manufacturer of electric power transmission towers and one of the world’s largest power transmission engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies, KEC International Ltd has secured new orders worth Rs 11.92 billion across its various businesses.

The Power Minister pointed out that from the data on item-wise quantum of imports in power sector given by Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence (DGCI), Department of Commerce it is seen that many types of equipment like transmission line towers, conductors, industrial electronics, capacitors, transformers, cables and insulators and fittings, etc.

RPG Group owned Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) major, KEC International Ltd has secured new orders of Rs 18.06 billion across its various businesses.

Contributions from the power equipment industry is 8.1 per cent of the manufacturing sector in terms of value and 1.35 per cent of India's GDP, providing direct employment to 5 lakh people, indirect employment to 10 lakh people, and employment to over 50 lakh people across the entire value chain.

Rooftop solar plus storage helps in reduction of transmission and distribution losses for state distribution companies (discoms) and defers investments in transmission infrastructure.

Naveen Sharma, Vice President, Strategic Planning & Sales, Exicom Power Solutions expects 2019 to be a breakthrough year for energy storage in India with demand largely driven by the telecom sector, grid applications, and electric vehicles.

As the Indian economy grows, consumption-led growth in populated metros is likely to spread to the neighbouring areas. In this scenario, improved air connectivity can give the required push towards economic growth of regional centres (towns/cities).