National Automotive Board ( NAB), a proposed organization specialized in promoting sustainable development of the Indian auto sector, is expected to be formed by the end of this year. The Department of Heavy Industry, which is currently working the proposal of setting-up a new board for NAB, has indicated that the new industry body is likely to be operational soon.
As per a recent statement given by an official of Department of Heavy Industry, "NAB is likely to be set up in December this year. It will act as a facilitator between the government and the industry, promote research and development activities and have a larger role in developing skills for the growing automobile sector." He added that the new body would act as a think-tank for the government, especially for the growth of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.
The upcoming National Automotive Board ( NAB) will be having members from Planning Commission, Department of Heavy Industry, road transport ministry, highways ministry, science and technology ministry, environment ministry and forests ministry.
The NAB is a successor of National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP). The NATRIP is a project implementation body that was formed to establish new R&D and research centers along with upgrading the existing ones like Automotive Research Association of India ( ARAI), the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), and International Centre for Automotive Technology ( ICAT) at Manesar.
