New Delhi: Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sanjiv Singh, inaugurated the Advanced Calibration Laboratory and 500 kWp Solar Rooftop at the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB), Ballabgarh, on 23 December 2024, during the 62nd NCB Day celebrations. The event was attended by M K Singhania, Joint Managing Director and CEO, J K Cement Ltd., and L P Singh, Director General of NCB. A Hindi magazine, NCB Darpan, was also released on the occasion.

Sanjiv Singh visited the new calibration laboratory and engaged with scientists and engineers at NCB. The laboratory is equipped with advanced facilities for calibrating force-proving instruments (2 to 200 kN), mass (1 mg to 150 kg), volume, and pressure (1.5 to 1400 bar). The force calibration system is among the first of its kind in the cement and construction industries. These facilities will play a critical role in ensuring quality assurance across the cement and construction sectors, public sector undertakings, and laboratories under CSIR, as well as state and central government entities.

Under DPIIT’s guidance, NCB has installed a 500 kWp Solar Rooftop at its Ballabgarh campus, contributing to reduced CO2 emissions and lower electricity expenses. Additionally, NCB is assessing its carbon footprint through its incubated startup, Zero Carbon One, which is also aiding the organisation in its journey towards becoming a Net Zero CO2 campus. This initiative aligns with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, approved by the government on 29 February 2024, which aims to maximise solar rooftop installations on government buildings by 31 December 2025.

The chief guest commended NCB for its R&D and technical initiatives and praised the establishment of world-class calibration facilities. He also suggested setting up a Centre of Excellence for Building Materials at NCB with support from DPIIT and other stakeholders. He emphasised the significant contributions of the cement sector, including its role in supporting national infrastructure and housing needs, generating employment, and contributing to the national economy.

L P Singh, Director General of NCB, highlighted the importance of the solar rooftop installation under the DPIIT-led PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He elaborated on the role of the Advanced Calibration Laboratory in serving the needs of the cement and construction industry. Singh also outlined NCB’s activities in areas such as decarbonisation, waste utilisation, circular economy, carbon capture and utilisation, education and training, and artificial intelligence.

BI Bureau