Facilitating technologies for hydrogen economy will be priority: Dr Mathai
   Date :02-Dec-2020

Dr Reji Mathai _1 &n
 
 
By Prasanta Sarkar :
 
DURG,
 
Bhilai can be proud that one of its prodigies Dr Reji Mathai has been appointed as the Director of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). ARAI is a Pune based Co-operative Industrial Research Association by the automotive industry with the Ministry of Industries. Earlier, Mathai was serving as Chief General Manager of Indian Oil Corporation India Limited (IOCL), Faridabad. He has vast experience of more than 28 years in the field of engine and vehicle testing, emission studies and developing test methods for fuels and lubricant evaluations.
 
“Introduction of standards (safety, emissions, etc) for new generation vehicles along with setting up facilities for Fuel cell vehicle testing will be a challenge as Director ARAI,” stated Dr Mathai while talking to The Hitavada. Replying to a query on his vision Mathai said that he will initiate for lowering carbon emissions from vehicles, better fuel efficiencies to facilitate technologies for hydrogen economy. Dr Reji talking about Bhilai said that he loves Bhilai and longed to be here where he had spent his childhood. It is noteworthy that Dr Mathai has done his schooling from MGM Senior Secondary School and BSP School, Sector-7 Bhilai. His father Late Chacko Mathai was a first generation employee of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) and mother Mary Mathai was also a BSP employee. His brother Viji Mathai is working as AGM Operation, Bar and Rod Mill, BSP. Dr Reji Mathai, has done his B Tech with distinction in Mech Engg from SGSITS, Indore (1989 batch, 5th in University), M Tech from IIT BHU and PhD from IIT Delhi.
 
He has more than 28 years experience in Indian Oil Corporation wherein collaborative work with leading OEMs in the field of lubricant development, assessing fuel efficiency of conventional and alternative fuels like Hydrogen / HCNG, M15, E20 are some of the activities spearheaded by him. He has been a part of Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025 committee for drafting the policy and is member of various committees of BIS and CPCB dealing with fuels and after-treatment related aspects.
 
He is a recipient of Petrofed Award- ‘Developing lubricant for marine engines’ for the year 2006-07. He has published more than 50 papers in national and international forums. He has 2 patents to his credit. He is a life member of Tribology Society of India, Vice-Chairman of Society of Automotive Engineers Northern India Section and Secretary of CIMAC India.