Incessant innovation to drive technology: Kalam

Pune, Jan 17 (UNI) President A P J Kalam today urged automobile researchers and engineers to concentrate on improving the internal combustion engine, develop bio fuels and use the solar based engines to help preserve the environment.

Inaugurating a symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT-2007) organised by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the President said future automobiles can use solar-based engines. ''The quantum of solar energy has to increase substantially,''he said.

The President said the root was innovation and competitiveness which is determined by institutional initiative and R&D productivity.

The criteria for improving competitive index was to improve combustion efficiency in diesel engine, apart from developing alternate fuels and hydrogen powered fuel cells, he said.

''Technology powers competitiveness', the Indian automotive industry has registered the fastest growth of 17 per cent compared with other industries. The Auto industry accounts for 45 billion dollars,'' he said.

In the next decade, it should rise to 200 billion dollars with an export of auto components of 50 billion dollars. A major concern was the expenditure of 35 billion dollars in foreign exchange for procurement of crude oils. Therefore, it was necessary to develop alternate fuels, he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, President ARAI and Managing Director Maruti Jagdish Khattar, Union Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Dev also spoke on the occasion.

UNI