In a landmark collaboration aimed at transforming India’s industrial landscape, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) have signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to spearhead the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in India. The agreement was formalized during the “Industry 4.0 Workshop for CPSEs” held in Guwahati, under the initiative of the Ministry of Finance.
The event brought together a host of senior dignitaries, including the Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), top officials from BSNL, NRL, AMTRON, and representatives of various Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The central theme of the workshop revolved around integrating emerging technologies such as 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twins, 3D Printing, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR/MR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data Analytics to modernize and revolutionize public sector operations.
The MoU sets the stage for deploying India’s first 5G CNPN in the refinery sector—a breakthrough that promises ultra-secure, low-latency, and real-time industrial connectivity. This initiative is not only a leap toward digital industrialization but also aligns with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by utilizing indigenous 5G infrastructure.
The Secretary of DPE hailed the partnership as a model example of the “Whole of Government” (WoG) approach—an integrated strategy to drive national growth through cross-sectoral collaboration. He emphasized its potential to revolutionize operations, enhance skill development, and create employment, especially in the North Eastern Region.
According to the CMD of NRL, the deployment of 5G CNPN will bring a transformative shift in refinery operations, offering enhanced cybersecurity, efficiency, and enabling technologies like real-time IoT monitoring, Digital Twin simulations, and AR/VR-based training modules. He highlighted this partnership as a defining moment for India’s refinery and manufacturing sectors.
Shri A. Robert J. Ravi, CMD of BSNL, remarked, “This alliance reflects BSNL’s unwavering commitment to empowering strategic industries with next-gen connectivity. The establishment of a dedicated 5G CNPN at NRL is not just a technological upgrade—it’s a strategic leap toward redefining industrial productivity in India.”
Adding to this, the Director (Enterprise Business) of BSNL described the collaboration as a historic step in the evolution of India’s industrial ecosystem. He reiterated BSNL’s dedication to delivering secure, reliable, and future-ready communication networks for CPSEs and large-scale enterprises, thus reinforcing the broader goals of the Digital India mission.
The BSNL-NRL MoU is expected to serve as a blueprint for future 5G deployments across India’s industrial sectors. It marks the beginning of a replicable, scalable model that can accelerate Industry 4.0 integration in critical infrastructure, making India more digitally resilient and globally competitive.
