SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 21: The five-day executive development programme on ‘Preventive Maintenance and Electrical Safety in Mines’ began at IIT ISM Dhanbad.
The programme, organized by the Department of Electrical Engineering at the institute’s Executive Development Centre, was inaugurated by Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT ISM.
The event brought together around 60 experts, including professionals and academics, to engage in discussions aimed at enhancing electrical safety and maintenance practices in the mining industry.
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar’s Insights on Electrical Safety
In his inaugural address, Prof. Dheeraj Kumar emphasized the crucial role of preventive maintenance and electrical safety in mining operations. Drawing on his background as a mining engineer, he highlighted the importance of electrical safety in enabling progress within the sector.
“Being a mining engineer, I understand the importance of electrical engineering in mines. Without considering electrical safety, progress in mining operations would be unachievable. As we enter the era of Mining 4.0, the integration of advanced technologies like AI, IoT, block chain, and autonomous systems highlights the indispensable role of electrical engineering”, said Prof. Kumar.
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Importance of Training in Electrical Safety
Ajay Singh, Deputy Director General (Electrical) at the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), was the guest of honor at the event. He stressed the significance of such training programmes in promoting electrical safety and preventing accidents in mining operations. “Electrical safety in mining is a cornerstone for preventing accidents,” Singh noted.
Prof. Raju Basak, Chairman of the West Bengal State Centre, Institution of Engineers (India), also emphasized the evolving role of AI and IoT in mining and the growing need for preventive maintenance of electrical equipment in light of rapid technological advancements.
Future Conferences
Prof. Sukanta Das, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT ISM, announced plans to host two international conferences in consecutive years, further fostering innovation and discussion in the field.
In his welcome address, Dr. Pradip Kumar Sadhu, Professor (HAG) and Co-Principal Investigator of the programme, likened preventive maintenance to vaccination, stressing the importance of proactive measures rather than reacting to incidents.
Prof. Nitai Pal, Principal Investigator of the programme, proposed a vote of thanks, concluding the inaugural session.
