In a significant move towards enhancing the quality standards of the cement industry, the Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently concluded a successful Two-Day Capsule Course for Quality Control Personnel (QCPs) on August 30-31, 2023. Held at the prestigious Hotel Four Points in Srinagar, the program drew the participation of technical experts from various Cement Industries in the Kashmir region.
The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Pankaj Atri, Joint Director of BIS JKBO. He emphasized that the primary objective of this Capsule Course was to bolster the industry’s capabilities, thereby elevating the overall quality standards within the country. Atri explained that the training aimed to equip QCPs with knowledge on cement requirements, sampling and testing methods for different cement types, effective utilization of the BIS e-Portal for online operations of ISI Mark licenses, and the implementation of Conformity Assessment Schemes as per BIS guidelines. He encouraged participants to make the most of this tailored training opportunity to enhance their knowledge and testing skills.
Niraj Mishra, Assistant Director at JKBO, delivered an informative presentation on Cement Chemistry, covering various cement types based on their chemical compositions and applications, as well as different cement manufacturing processes and quality control points. Mishra also delved into the requirements and test methods outlined in Indian Standards for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), accompanied by its Product Manual. Following this, Pankaj Atri, Joint Director of JKBO, conducted a demonstration of the e-BIS portal, Know Your Standards webpage, and the BIS Care App.
During the course of the two-day training program, participants had the invaluable opportunity to visit the laboratory facilities of M/s Khyber Industries Pvt Ltd in Khonmoh, a prominent manufacturer of OPC in the region. Here, they engaged in discussions and witnessed demonstrations related to the chemical and physical testing of cement.
Furthermore, the QCPs actively shared their industry experiences, particularly in the domains of cement manufacturing and testing. The participants expressed their appreciation for BIS’s initiative in organizing such training programs for the industry. They also commended the comprehensive approach taken by the Capsule Course, which combined theoretical knowledge with practical insights into the world of cement.
This two-day event not only underscored BIS JKBO’s commitment to raising industry standards but also served as a platform for knowledge exchange among experts in the field. It is expected that the newly acquired knowledge and skills will contribute significantly to improving the quality of cement production in the Kashmir region and beyond.