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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Delay hits Scorpene retrofit to boost stealth, endurance
NEW DELHI: India has once again missed the boat to enhance the underwater operational endurance and stealth of its latest Scorpene or Kalvari-class conventional submarines, with the already delayed air independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO still not ready for integration with the vessels. The first Scorpene submarine to be built at the Mazagon Docks (MDL) with French collaboration, INS Kalvari, which was commissioned in Dec 2017, will now complete her ongoing maintenance refit at the Mumbai naval dockyard without being retrofitted with the AIP plug as was originally planned, defence ministry sources told TOI. "The fuel cell-based AIP system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Lab, which has L&T as the prime industry partner, is still not yet operationally available. Hopefully, it should be ready by the time the second Scorpene (INS Khanderi) comes for her scheduled normal maintenance refit in mid-2026," a source said. The Navy after a long delay has inducted six diesel-electric Scorpene submarines, constructed by MDL in collaboration with the French Naval Group under Project-75 for over Rs 23,000 crore, with the sixth INS Vagsheer being commissioned in Jan this year. There is major concern about the continuing delay in the indigenous AIP project, which was originally slated for completion by June 2017 after being sanctioned in 2014 at an initial cost of Rs 270 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Amid the delay, MDL and Naval Group signed an agreement for the integration of the indigenous AIP energy system plugs on the Scorpenes only on July 23. Under it, each submarine will undergo a complex project called "jumboisation", involving precision cutting of the hull, safe insertion of the AIP plug and then rejoining the structure to ensure the vessel is fully operational again. Unlike nuclear-powered submarines, which have unlimited underwater endurance, diesel-electric boats must surface or snorkel every couple of days to get oxygen to recharge their batteries. Those fitted with AIP, however, can stay submerged for around two weeks to significantly boost their stealth and combat capabilities. With Pakistan on course to induct eight Yuan or Hangor-class conventional submarines with AIP from China in a major capability jump, India's depleting conventional underwater combat arm has become a major worry. China, of course, now has the world's largest navy, which includes over 50 diesel-electric and 10 nuclear submarines. Apart from the six French-origin Scorpenes, India has seven very old Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW diesel-electric submarines at present. It also has two operational SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles) in INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with the third to be commissioned as INS Aridhaman this year, as reported by TOI earlier. The long-pending projects to build three additional Scorpenes for Rs 38,000 crore and six new-generation diesel-electric submarines, with both AIP and land-attack cruise missiles, for Rs 70,000 crore under Project-75-India at MDL, are also yet to be finalised and inked.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Click, buy & regret: Customers in Bengaluru struggle to return wrong & fake items
Bengaluru: What was once celebrated as a revolution in convenience has turned into a source of frustration for many online shoppers. As e-commerce has become a norm in urban India, a new kind of consumer complaints is becoming prevalent — defective or even fake products delivered, with little to no recourse for the customer. A pattern is evident: when buyers receive wrong or damaged products, their complaints are often dismissed or redirected to the delivery agents. Instead of redressal, many are asked to prove their claims — typically by sharing an unpacking video. In effect, the burden of proving fraud is pushed on to the consumer. Data reflects the scale of dissatisfaction. As of June 2025, the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (KSCDRC) had logged nearly 1.3 lakh complaints related to e-commerce and other miscellaneous categories — nearly 40% of the total 3.3 lakh consumer cases in the state since its inception in 1989. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Suneetra Datta, a 45-year-old resident of Kengeri, recounted her ordeal. She had ordered a branded kurta on a well-known online platform for her son, paying Rs 1,298 via UPI. What arrived instead was a bundle of torn cloth. "I was shocked. Every detail — product ID, payment method, invoice — matched. Yet no action was taken after I raised the issue. This is unacceptable," she said. Despite reaching out to the delivery partner and the e-commerce firm, she hasn't received a refund three months on. In another case, Pranay Poradanla, 25, ordered a hoodie from an online fashion retailer, only to have his return request denied on the grounds that the item wasn't officially marked as delivered. "It took 20 days of constant follow-ups just to get the correct product. For one hoodie, I was made to suffer. It's mentally draining," he said. Experts say the problem lies in a systemic lack of accountability. "Online platforms often act like neutral parties when something goes wrong, claiming they are only aggregators," said Shivashankare Gowda, president of KSCDRC. "Consumers trust these platforms thinking the sellers are vetted. But when issues arise, the platforms back away and direct buyers to deal with vendors directly." A Central Crime Branch official noted that while platforms have made shopping easier, consumer vigilance has not kept pace. "Always opt for payment on delivery and try to check the product in front of the agent or record an unboxing. These basic precautions now matter more than ever." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Energy dept's nod to buy 630MW solar power leads to controversy
1 2 Jaipur: A decision taken by Rajasthan energy department's board on May 26 to buy 630 MW solar power has turned into a raging controversy, with the state energy minister now talking of an investigation and not entering into any power purchase agreement till the probe is over. The 630 MW were auctioned to two private discoms in Delhi by Solar Energy Corporation of India, at Rs 5.06 a unit. However, the two discoms backed out, leading to SECI offering it to some states. Sources said that while many states declined the offer, the energy department of Rajasthan accepted it at its board meeting, for which the power purchase agreement (PPA) is pending. The decision led to widespread opposition by stakeholders who said that when cheaper renewable energy with battery storage was available at Rs 3.18 a unit as per the recently discovered rates through e-auctions, why should the department go for the costlier option. When TOI spoke with state energy minister Heeralal Nagar, he said, "We will seek details about the project, and we are not going to sign power purchase agreements. First, we will investigate the matter and only take a decision after that about signing the PPA." DD Agarwal, director at Samta Power, an energy sector NGO, said, "Two things should have been kept in mind by the energy department. First, rates for battery storage solar power have been declining consistently. Rajasthan just needs additional power during peak hours, and battery storage is not only cheaper but meets the needs." Second, he said, when technology is developing fast, the department should not enter into a 25-year PPA. "During the early days of the solar revolution, discoms bought the renewable energy at Rs 17 a unit. Technology improved, and it is now available at Rs 2.5 a unit or thereabouts. In the case of batteries, too, the rates are coming down fast. The department should not get locked in long-term high-tariff contracts." The 630 MW was an FDRE (firm and dispatchable renewable energy, or round-the-clock) contract, where it combined solar and wind power with energy storage (usually batteries) to provide consistent electricity, even when the sun wasn't shining or the wind wasn't blowing. According to Agarwal, Rajasthan has enough capacity to meet its demand except during peak hours, for which battery storage is sufficient. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
