Category: Transport

NATIONAL: SAFETY: Bengaluru becomes 2nd City in India to have 90 mts Tall Aerial Ladder Platform for the State’s Department of Fire & Emergency Services

After India’s financial capital of Mumbai, Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru became the second city in the country to have a 90-meter tall aerial ladder platform vehicle for the State’s Fire Services.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who dedicated the aerial ladder platform vehicle in Bengaluru on Thursday, said: “Today marks an important day for the development of Bengaluru as well as infusing a biggest strength for the Department of Fire Services.’’

The Chief Minister also flagged off “Green Deepavali,’’ a public awareness campaign on the stairs of Vidhana Soudha.

The 90 meter aerial ladder platform is a most essential and important facility and this modern ladder will work as a real friend in need,’’ he said adding: The new ladder will be put into use in BBMP limits.

“The whole world is growing on a big scale and it is a most essential service especially in all important metropolitans without which building permission is not given.,’’ Bommai said.

The Chief Minister said Fire Safety and its rules are equally important. It was essential for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to have all facilities to reach hi-rise buildings during an emergency.

Ready to Serve

The State Government is capable of solving problems, he said pointed out that Bengaluru City is growing fast and several definitions are made without understanding issues.

“The recent rains had created floods only in two constituencies and not in all 26 Assembly segments. But it was projected as if the whole Bengaluru City had submerged. In fact, Bengaluru is an important city both in national and international level and the government is capable of solving any problems of the city. It is important to present facts correctly,’’ he said.

Bommai said there are over 100 personnel working in SDRF to deal with flood situations. The State Capital has both NDRF and SDRF teams and they are capable of rescuing anyone from any part of the city.

The government had already released Rs 20 crore to buy the new equipment and another Rs 20 crore was released recently. The governments intention is o strengthen SDRF.

Instructions are given to form another two companies of SDRF for which ex-servicemen will be appointed. Already, over 100 retired defense personnel were appointed and more personnel will be recruited directly for the proposed two companies, he said. Along with modernisation and increasing numbers, even training and empowerment are also given importance. The SDRF had helped during the recent floods in different districts, he added.

The Chief Minster said till now the Bengaluru Fire Department had only a 50 meter ladder and the State capital is growing fast both horizontally and vertically. “After Mumbai City, Bengaluru has become the second city in the whole country to have a 90 meter Aerial Ladder Platform system.

Efforts were made to procure this in the last two and a half years and while he was the Home Minister the grants had been released. But it got delayed due to some reasons such as Covid-19 and production problems,’’ he said.

Bommai said permission has been given to strengthen the Department of Fire Services by sanctioning various schemes and one of them was the procurement of 90 meter aerial ladder platform.

This department rescues people in any fire mishap that occurs in any corner of the city all the 24 hours, he said.

The Chief Minster said 5,000 new vehicles are added to the fleet of vehicles daily whereas the roads have remained the same. Despite this, the police department has been managing traffic by using several technologies including synchronizing for free flow of traffic.

“I will compliment Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Home Department and senior officials of Department of Fire Services for bringing this ladder to Bengaluru,’’ he said.

Potholes being filled up:

Steps are taken to fill up potholes across the city. New potholes have emerged due to incessant rain. Even they too are being filled up on the war-footing. It was possible to do quality works in case rain reduces. Whatever repair works done would not last long during continuous rain. But all the potholes will be filled up, Bommai said. The Chief Minister wished the people on the occasion of Deepavali festival and asked them to celebrate by using green crackers. The citizens must use the crackers of less than 125 decibels.

Earlier, the Chief Minister went in the newly dedicated aerial ladder platform along with others.

Asked about his experience, Bommai said: “I was surprised to see the design of Vidhana Soudha dome. In those days, they had taken this stone to the top of the building. I was elated to see the Ashoka Pillar from a close angle. The solace is that with the new ladder it is possible to save lives of people in fire mishaps.

As many as 7500 cameras are installed under the Nirbhaya scheme and it will be used to address the problems of traffic density and for women safety. They work on artificial intelligence and revolves 360 degree.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Ministers Kota Srinivasa Pujari, S T Somashekar, Shivaram Hebbar, MP P C Mohan, MLA Niranjan Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) Rajneesh Goel and DGP (Fire Services) A K Pandey were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION / DEFENCE / MANUFACTURING: PM Modi Unveils HTT-40, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Indigenously Designed and Developed ‘Trainer Aircraft’ at DefExpo-2020,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, the indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the India Pavilion during DefExpo-2020 in Gandhinagar, on Wednesday.

The Basic Trainer Aircraft would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights, whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying.

HTT-40 has cutting-edge technology designed to meet primary training requirements of the Indian defence services. Built around a meticulously tested, turbo-prop engine, it is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin and ejection seats. HTT-40 boasts of unique features like running changeover of pilots, hot-refuelling and short turnaround time.

HAL receives DcPP certificate

Hal  also received a Development – cum -Production Partner (DcPP)/Production Agency (PA) certificate for ABHYAS – High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System from DRDO at a programme held on the sidelines of DefExpo-2022.

The Aircraft Division of HAL is the first DcPP/PA identified organisation under ADE-DRDO’s new scheme for the procurement of a complex system.

HAL had formally handed over the first batch of two units of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System ABHYAS, an indigenous target aircraft, to Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) recently. HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan received the certificate from DRDO Chairman and secretary of the Department of Defence R&D Dr Samir V Kamat

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Bangalore Metro Rail Corp Ltd (BMRCL), Bharat Electronics Ltd Bag 2nd Infra Awards

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

Karnataka agencies, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), have bagged awards in the second edition of Urban Infra awards in five categories, organised by a Urban Infra Communications, a specialised Infra PR company.

The Most Innovative Urban Mobility Leader award, under the industrial category, was bagged by V Manjula, commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).

Under the corporate category, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) won the Best Public Transport of Silicon Valley award and Bharat Electronics Limited won the Excellence in Indigenous Innovation for Rail and Metro Systems award.

Under the transit and mobility category- the most preferred transit system award was bagged by Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit Systems Limited.

DULT also bagged an award of the most admired city planning body for urban development under the City Infrastructure category.

Director of business development and corporate communications, Urban Infra Communications Vinod Shah said that this is the second edition of the awards, and the first was held in 2020.

He added that a five member jury chooses the winners, based on work done in the past and projects planned ahead. Manjula (DULT) told TNIE that the award will boost the morale of young staffers in organisation to strive and improve mobility in the state.

source/comment: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / AEROSPACE : Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) integrated Cryogenic Rocket Engine Facility to be Inaugurated by President Murmu in Bengaluru

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) state-of-the-art Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) in Bengaluru on Tuesday which will boost self-reliance in manufacturing of High-thrust Rocket engines.

As per the HAL the facility will cater to the entire Rocket Engine Manufacturing under one roof for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). HAL in its statement said, “The Aerospace Division entering into manufacture of Cryogenic Engines is a major step in technology up-gradation cum modernization. Indigenous cryogenic technology is important as it will assist India to further develop its rocket programme for launching heavy satellites.

The facility is set up over an area of 4500 sq mts housing over 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for manufacturing Cryogenic (CE20) and Semi-cryogenic (SE2000) Engines of Indian Space Launch Vehicles. The commissioning of all the critical equipment for the manufacturing and assembly requirement is completed. The pre-production activities which involve preparation of the process plans, drawings, quality plan etc. has also commenced. HAL will start realising the modules by March 2023.

HAL said, “HAL Aerospace Division manufactures liquid propellant tanks and launch vehicle structures of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) MK-II, GSLV Mk-III and also stage integration for GSLV Mk-II.”

In 2013, an MOU was signed with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for establishing the facility for manufacturing of Cryogenic Engine modules at HAL, Aerospace Division. The MOU for the Cryogenic Engine facility was subsequently amended in the year 2016 for setting up of Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) with an investment of R208 crores.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: GREEN ENERGY: Shell enters Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Business, Starting with Bengaluru

The energy company has plans to install over 10,000 charging points across India by 2030.

Shell, an integrated energy firm, has chosen Bengaluru to set up its first sets of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for four-wheeler and two-wheeler segments in India.

To start with, the company on Thursday opened five Shell recharge stations at Yeshwanthpur, Marathahalli, Old Madras Road, Brookefield, and on Kanakpura Road.

Shell will provide customised charging solutions at on-the-go locations such as Shell fuel stations, standalone EV hubs, home charging, and destination locations.

For on-the-go and standalone EV hubs, the company will deploy 100 kilowatts (KW) and above direct-current (DC) fast chargers to enable fast charging and the lowest possible dwell time, as per company officials.

The company has plans to expand its EV charging infrastructure beyond its existing retail markets of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh.

Shell Energy said it has plans to set up over 10,000 such stations across the country by 2030. Shell recharge chargers would be 100% powered by green energy, it said.

Customers will be able to operate these chargers through the ‘Shell Recharge India app’, available on both Android and iOS operating systems.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: Infosys enters a five-year collaboration with Kansas, U.S. based ‘Spirit AeroSystems’ to Boost Aero Structural Services

IT services major Infosys on Wednesday announced a five-year agreement with Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defence platforms and business or regional jets.

The IT company will collaborate to provide aerostructure and systems engineering services for product development of commercial, business jet and emerging aircraft programs, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the US, UK, France, Malaysia and Morocco.

As part of this engagement, Infosys said it will offer end-to-end product development services, including design engineering, sustaining engineering, systems engineering, stress engineering, manufacturing engineering, and repair and maintenance. 

“Our longstanding collaboration with Infosys means we are well-positioned to co-innovate on critical stages of product development. This strategic agreement will leverage mutual synergies to accelerate the development of sustainable aerostructures and services across our commercial and aftermarket business segments,” said Sean Black, Senior VP and Chief Engineer, Engineering and Technology, Spirit AeroSystems.

Infosys collaborates with 7 of the top 10 global aerospace companies.

Jasmeet Singh, Executive VP and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, “Aerospace and defence organisations need to rapidly reinvent their digital foundation.”

The company has been investing in aerostructure engineering and next-gen technologies like artificial intelligence and the cloud.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE / ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Produced Gas Turbines to Power ‘INS Vikrant’, India’s First Indigenously Produced Aircraft Carrier

HAL has produced the Gas Turbines to power India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, IAC-1 Vikrant which was commissioned recently as INS Vikrant at Kochi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

INS Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbines supplied by HAL.

These Gas Turbines were assembled and tested at HAL’s dedicated facility at Bangalore. With the power of 88 MW and top speed of 28 Knots, INS Vikrant is truly enhancing the maritime capability of India.

HAL carried out critical activities towards readiness of IAC for basin trials.

HAL’s team was actively involved in the integration of the power plant to the IAC and was onboard IAC for all sea trials in the absence of foreign OEM representatives contributing substantially to the Make-in-India concept.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA / BUSINESS & ECONOMY, : 3 Bengaluru Startups Win at Conquest a BITS Pilani Students Run Event – Green Tiger Mobility, Daffodil Health and StreamMoney

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

Of the 15 startups, shortlisted from over 1,500 applications, four have been selected to receive an equity-less grant of Rs 30 lakh each. Of these, three are from Bengaluru. Winners were chosen based on three categories or tracks — Pan India, BITSian and Web3.0. 

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

Green Tiger is working on developing a hybrid vehicle, while Daffodil Health is a behavioural healthcare platform aimed at children.The latter aims at giving parent-mediated therapy to children with behavioural and developmental disorders like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others.

Conquest, run by around 30 engineering students from BITS Pilani’s Centre of Entrepreneurial Leadership, is the first and largest student-run startup accelerator, hosting programmes every year to help startups get funding and mentors. 

The Demo Day for the 18th edition of the accelerator programme was held in Bengaluru on Sunday, with 15 startups shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, industry leaders and others. Another Bengaluru-based company StreamMoney won in the Web3.0 Track, where the focus is on startups developing or utilising technology related to Web3.0. StreamMoney focuses on the ability to transfer conditional ownership of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). 

The startup is working towards making a utility protocol, allowing NFT owners to rent out or allow ticketing or subscriptions of their NFTs. This allows owners to add in a utility contract with their NFTs that allows access to their tokens for a limited period of time.

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

 A clean technology firm, focusing on building hybrid cars that allow you to switch between electric and internal combustion engines at the switch of a button, was one of the three Bengaluru startups that won big at BITS Pilani’s Conquest.

Of the 15 startups, shortlisted from over 1,500 applications, four have been selected to receive an equity-less grant of Rs 30 lakh each. Of these, three are from Bengaluru. Winners were chosen based on three categories or tracks — Pan India, BITSian and Web3.0. 

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country. Green Tiger is working on developing a hybrid vehicle, while Daffodil Health is a behavioural healthcare platform aimed at children.

The latter aims at giving parent-mediated therapy to children with behavioural and developmental disorders like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others. Conquest, run by around 30 engineering students from BITS Pilani’s Centre of Entrepreneurial Leadership, is the first and largest student-run startup accelerator, hosting programmes every year to help startups get funding and mentors. 

The Demo Day for the 18th edition of the accelerator programme was held in Bengaluru on Sunday, with 15 startups shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, industry leaders and others.

Another Bengaluru-based company StreamMoney won in the Web3.0 Track, where the focus is on startups developing or utilising technology related to Web3.0. StreamMoney focuses on the ability to transfer conditional ownership of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). 

The startup is working towards making a utility protocol, allowing NFT owners to rent out or allow ticketing or subscriptions of their NFTs. This allows owners to add in a utility contract with their NFTs that allows access to their tokens for a limited period of time.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INDIA OVERSEAS: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Opens Office in Kuala Lumpur to Explore Business Operations both in Malaysian and all of Southeast Asia

HAL’s new office in Kuala Lumpur would take up the market promotion of the company’s range of products and services not only in Malaysia but also all of Southeast Asia.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will set up an office in Kuala Lumpur to tap business opportunities in Malaysia and the entire Southeast Asian region, the PSU said in a statement on Thursday.

The new office is expected to help the public sector firm to explore business around Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades, as per HAL.

“It will reinforce the commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia,’‘ said a company communique.

According to HAL, the company had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia in October 2021 for the supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF.

The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities and LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF, as per the release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DEFENCE, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, AVIATION: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Developing AI-Driven Long-Endurance Drone for Strategic Visions and Vigil over Long Borders

State-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is working on an AI-driven multi-role, advanced and long-endurance drone for strategic missions in high-altitude areas including along the frontiers with China, people familiar with the development said on Sunday.

The rotary-wing drone will have the capability to carry a load of 40 kgs, including missiles and sensors, and it is being developed considering the requirement of the armed forces to keep a strong vigil over the mountainous areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), they said.

The HAL has set a target of conducting the maiden test-flying of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by the middle of next year and plans to produce 60 such platforms in the first phase of the project, the people in the know told PTI.

They said the operating system of the long-endurance drone will feature applications of Artificial Intelligence and the armed forces will be able to use it for multiple purposes including transporting essential supplies.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)