In a major boost to India’s digital industrial revolution, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the adoption and deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies, including the country’s first 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) in the refinery sector.
The MoU was formalized during the “Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs” organized by the Ministry of Finance in Guwahati. The event was attended by senior officials from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), BSNL, NRL, AMTRON, and other Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
The initiative will focus on implementing advanced technologies such as Digital Twins, AI-powered 3D Printing, Augmented and Mixed Reality (AR/VR/MR), IoT, and Big Data Analytics, aimed at boosting operational efficiency and fostering innovation in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
A key highlight of the collaboration is the deployment of a dedicated 5G CNPN at NRL, marking a significant milestone in the use of indigenous 5G infrastructure for secure, real-time industrial operations. This will enhance cybersecurity, support mission-critical activities, and open the door for future-ready digital training and monitoring systems.
The Secretary of DPE praised the agreement as a model of the Government’s “Whole of Government” (WoG) approach, underlining its impact on industrial modernization, skill development, and job creation, particularly in the North East.
Calling it a “game-changing moment,” NRL CMD emphasized how the integration of 5G will revolutionize refinery operations, enabling AR/VR-based training and real-time IoT applications. BSNL CMD A. Robert J. Ravi echoed the sentiment, calling the project a technological leap forward for India’s strategic sectors.
BSNL’s Director (Enterprise Business) highlighted that this MoU sets a precedent for other CPSEs to adopt secure and future-ready digital infrastructure, accelerating 5G and Industry 4.0 adoption across India’s industrial landscape.
The strategic BSNL-NRL partnership is poised to become a replicable model for other industries, further reinforcing India’s vision of a digitally empowered, self-reliant economy.
