AMTRON is spearheading Assam’s digital transformation by fostering innovation in 5G, drone technology, and 3D printing. Through strategic collaborations with educational institutions, it is building a skilled workforce for Industry 4.0. Key initiatives include a 5G Experience Centre, drone pilot training, and digital archiving of historical manuscripts, driving technological advancements and economic growth in the region. Narsing Pawar (IAS), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department and Managing Director, Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON) shares more about AMTRON in an exclusive interview with Abhineet Kumar & Rose Jaiswal of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

The upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit aims to position the state as a major investment destination. Could you elaborate on AMTRON’s role in this initiative and the specific projects or partnerships you are focusing on to attract investors?

The Government of Assam is continuously working towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, leading India into the Fourth Industrial Revolution while also spearheading reforms to make Assam a technology and manufacturing hub.

The state government is currently encouraging investment in Tech City, which is being developed by AMTRON, a government undertaking. Tech City is envisioned as a manufacturing base for the Electronics & Information Technology sector by attracting national and multinational manufacturing companies and fostering infrastructure, supply chain networks, distribution chains, and supporting industries. The facility will feature state-of-the-art technology, ready-to-use built-up spaces, and fully developed industry-grade plots available for lease to investor companies.

Emerging technology and business segments such as nanotechnology, automated Face Recognition Systems (FRS) with Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0 technologies, cybersecurity and cyber informatics, and enterprise-ready blockchain technology are gaining prominence across global markets. These technologies have applications in sectors such as shipping, insurance, quality services, BFSI, aviation, agriculture, forestry, power, energy, and telecom.

AMTRON has identified these areas as champion sectors contributing significantly to MSME growth. International companies have shown keen interest in collaborating with AMTRON in these emerging fields.

Assam is developing India’s largest OSAT facility at Jagiroad, with a capacity to produce 48 million chips per day. How does AMTRON plan to leverage this development to enhance the state’s electronics manufacturing capabilities?

Semiconductor technology forms the foundation of modern electronics, enabling innovations from compact smartphones to advanced medical equipment. Assam aims to develop a complete semiconductor ecosystem, including design capabilities, manufacturing software, and hardware. Tech City is set to play a crucial role in establishing a sustainable supply chain within the state while also creating a strong consumer base. Several PCB manufacturers have already expressed interest in setting up units at Tech City, strengthening Assam’s position in the electronics manufacturing sector.

The Assam Land & Space Lease Management Policy has been introduced to encourage the establishment of IT Parks and Electronics Manufacturing Clusters. What strategies is AMTRON implementing to attract companies to set up operations in these clusters?

The Land & Space Management Policy, 2024, notified on August 23, 2024, by the IT Department, Government of Assam, provides a structured framework for leasing land and space at Tech City. AMTRON plans to offer readybuilt spaces on both long-term and short-term leases, along with subsidized land rates to attract investors. Additionally, investors will benefit from various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives under the state government’s policies, making Tech City an attractive investment destination.

For mega projects—defined as those with a fixed capital investment of over ₹100 crore or generating a minimum of 1,000 regular jobs—the State Government will provide special incentives in alignment with the IT Policies implemented by the Information Technology Department, Government of Assam.

Given India’s considerable talent pool in electronics design and embedded software, how is AMTRON collaborating with educational institutions in Assam to develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of the growing electronics sector?

AMTRON has set up a 5G Experience Centre at Tech City, Guwahati, for interactive learning and identifying various use cases through the introduction of Certified MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) in 5G technology and AR/ VR-based training. It has also established a 3D Printing Center of Excellence at Tech City, Guwahati, sanctioned by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) under the PM-DeVINE scheme. This facility will be used for training in 3D technology and identifying relevant use cases.

Additionally, AMTRON set up the first-ever Remote Pilot Training School at Tech City, Guwahati, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, which currently provides comprehensive training in drone technology and operations. To develop a skilled workforce for Industry 4.0 technologies, AMTRON has collaborated with various educational institutions, including IIIT Guwahati, NIT Silchar, and IIT Guwahati, among others.

AMTRON has been instrumental in implementing IT projects across the state. Could you share some recent success stories and how these projects have contributed to Assam’s digital transformation?

One of the key initiatives undertaken by the State Government, in collaboration with AMTRON, is the digitization of Xasipaat Puthi manuscripts, Tamra Patra, and other historical documents from the Satras and other significant heritage sites in Assam. This initiative aims to preserve Assam’s rich cultural heritage by creating a Digital Archive. To date, 833 manuscripts, comprising 50,267 pages, have been digitized, with 746 already made accessible to the public via an online platform.

AMTRON Drone School, a DGCA-approved drone remote pilot training institute operational since July 2022, has successfully trained 600 students across 80 batches. It offers courses such as Micro, Small, Medium, and “Train the Trainer” programs. The Drone RPTO School has also provided specialized training to personnel from the Indian Air Force, BSF, and other defence sectors, as well as women from Self-Help Groups under the Prime Minister’s Namo Drone Didi Scheme. Additionally, officials from agriculture departments, educational institutions, universities across Northeast India, and the Assam Forest Department have benefited from its training programs.

AMTRON has deployed 5G use cases in the North Eastern Region, including a 5G Experience Centre at Tech City, Guwahati, funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Government of India. This initiative aims to drive a revolutionary change, benefiting rural livelihoods and students from remote locations who can now leverage this technology. Initially focused on healthcare applications, the initiative has expanded to include other sectors such as oil & gas mining, handicrafts and artisan welfare, artificial intelligence, and agriculture/ animal husbandry/fisheries, utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) through 5G technology.

To establish an additive manufacturing ecosystem in Assam, AMTRON has deployed 3D printing labs across various North Eastern states, with a central hub in Assam to foster collaboration with academia for prototype and commercial design development. As part of this initiative, hackathons on 3D printing technology were organized in July and August 2024 in Guwahati. The event saw participation from over 800 attendees, including 300 students and entrepreneurs from various states across India. This nationwide competition awarded prize money and seed funding to the winning teams. Moving forward, some of these winning startups will receive mentorship at the 3D Printing Center of Excellence for real-world deployment under the guidance of industry experts and the Design Innovation Centre (DIC) at UIET, Panjab University.

Also Read: AIDC’s vision for a sustainable Assam

The Government of Assam is steadily advancing towards the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s goal of making Assam one of the top five states in India in terms of development. The recent initiatives undertaken by the government reflect Assam’s commitment to strengthening its infrastructure and fostering resilience.

Assam is renowned for its tea (“T”) plantations, and under the leadership and vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, it is poised to gain prominence in the IT sector (“IT”) as well in the years to come.

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