Latest news with #BIS-certified
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Commercial freezers are the hottest thing in town this summer
The demand for commercial refrigeration products such as deep freezer and bottle coolers or visi coolers in India has touched unprecedented levels, far outstripping supplies amid the quick commerce boom and cola war, said industry executives. Commercial refrigeration manufacturers such as Blue Star , Voltas and Haier said sales have been surging 25-50% year-on-year since January, after initial hiccups in the April-September 2024 period, when India adopted the quality control order (QCO) for products like water coolers which impacted the supply chain. The QCO issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandates companies to source and manufacture products from BIS-certified companies, encouraging local production over exports from countries like China. "The cola war by Reliance's Campa, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo has boosted demand for visi coolers, with all our capacities sold out for the next five months and demand much more than we can supply," said Haier India president Satish NS. He said overall commercial refrigeration is growing 35% year-on-year, while visi coolers are seeing more than 50% expansion. Blue Star, too, has seen a sharp increase in demand for commercial refrigeration products from quick commerce, ice cream and frozen food companies with a strong order book. "The growth potential is very high as India is underpenetrated," said managing director B. Thiagarajan. He said the business has potential to grow at 30%. Reliance Consumer Products started the cola war in the second half of 2024-25 with aggressive pricing of '10 per 200 ml bottle and expanding distribution to kirana stores. The company said on its latest earnings call that Campa had already gained double-digit market share in some markets and had expanded distribution to more than a million retail stores. James Quincey, global CEO of The Coca-Cola Co, told analysts in May that about 350,000 outlets were added in India in the March quarter and the company increased cooler placements. The chairman of PepsiCo's top bottler in India, Varun Beverages , Ravi Jaipuria, too, said the increased competition was making the industry put in place more chilling equipment. Jaipuria told analysts there were around 12 million fast-moving consumer goods outlets in India, while the company reached only four million. "So there is still so much room for everyone to add new outlets through increased go-to-market and by putting in more chilling equipment," he said. The size of the commercial refrigeration market in India is estimated at around '4,500 crore and the growth rate is faster than for any electronics products such as televisions, smartphones, air-conditioners, refrigerators and laptops. The country's largest home-grown contract manufacturer, Dixon Tech , recently announced that it would start production of deep freezers and visi coolers. Tata-owned Voltas' chief financial officer KV Sridhar told analysts that the order book in the pipeline for commercial refrigeration products reflected huge growth potential with a ramp-up of factories.
Deccan Herald
12-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Over 1,000 people have downloaded 'Sanchari Cauvery': BWSSB
In a press release, the BWSSB said that the programme had received good response and the board was committed to supply BIS-certified pure water to the citizens of Bengaluru.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is ‘Sanchari Cauvery'? Bengaluru's new government-run water tanker service explained
In a bid to rein in skyrocketing water prices and tackle the city's long-standing dependence on private water suppliers, the Karnataka government has launched 'Sanchari Cauvery', a state-operated water tanker service aimed at delivering clean, affordable drinking water directly to residents. Launched on Friday by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha, the initiative promises to undercut what he termed the 'tanker mafia', private operators who, according to the minister, charge up to ₹3,000 for a single tanker using water drawn from over 3,000 unregulated borewells. (Also Read: Indian armed forces capable of giving fitting reply to Pakistan: DK Shivakumar) 'With 'Sanchari Cauvery', we are supplying BWSSB-certified Cauvery water at reasonable prices, ₹660 for 4,000 litres and ₹740 for 6,000 litres, to ensure people don't fall prey to exploitation,' Shivakumar said, as quoted in a press note issued by his office. The new service is operated through GPS-tracked tankers, and bookings can be made via the official app Kaveri on Wheels, available on the Google Play Store. The water supplied is BIS-certified and comes with a government guarantee of quality, a key differentiator from many private suppliers whose sources are often unknown. Describing the scheme as a first-of-its-kind in the city, Shivakumar said this doorstep delivery model was conceptualised to bridge gaps in Bengaluru's formal water supply infrastructure, especially in newly developed or water-stressed areas. In addition to the new delivery scheme, the minister said the state had also laid the foundation for a ₹1,900 crore project near Nelamangala to treat Vrishabhavathi river water and use it to replenish tanks in rural parts of Bengaluru. He added that the government is working on Cauvery Stage VI, with several banks reportedly showing interest in financing the next phase. To further ease access, the BWSSB will now charge just ₹1,000 as a deposit for new water connections in smaller homes. For apartments, owners will be allowed to pay the connection fee in instalments, 20 per cent upfront and the rest within a year. Shivakumar also addressed security concerns in the backdrop of regional tensions, stating that tightened measures were in place at reservoirs and tourists would be restricted from accessing dam sites. 'Public cooperation is key during this time. We are ensuring water reaches homes safely and affordably, without handing control to private entities,' he said, referring to past proposals to privatise water supply that were eventually shelved. (Also Read: Bengaluru Police geo-tag over 5.35 lakh CCTV cameras to boost crime detection: Report)
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
UP Govt cracks down on counterfeit helmets amid rising road fatalities in the state
The UP Transport Department has initiated a statewide campaign not only against substandard helmet sellers but also to educate citizens of the life-saving value of BIS-certified safety equipment (Photo by Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times) In a major push towards improving road safety, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a rigorous campaign to eliminate the sale and use of counterfeit helmets. The initiative, which includes legal action and public awareness drives, has received strong backing from the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association (2WHMA) of India. The association, representing leading helmet makers in the country, has welcomed the state's aggressive enforcement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification norms. According to 2WHMA President Rajeev Kapur, this crackdown could become a template for other states grappling with rising road fatalities. Also Read : Govt mandates two ISI-certified helmets with every new two-wheeler purchase A response to alarming road safety data The necessity behind this step lies in alarming figures: Uttar Pradesh had registered more than 46,000 road accidents and 24,000 deaths last year alone. A large percentage of these fatalities comprised two-wheeler drivers without protective headgear. To combat this, the UP Transport Department has initiated a statewide campaign not only against substandard helmet sellers but also to educate citizens of the life-saving value of BIS-certified safety equipment. Offenders caught selling or wearing counterfeit helmets will now be booked under criminal charges, including FIRs. Also Read : Uttar Pradesh's 'No Helmet, No Fuel' policy begins in Lucknow to encourage road safety Call for collaborative efforts nationwide Rajeev Kapur, President of 2WHMA and Managing Director of Steelbird Helmets, praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Transport Commissioner BN Singh for taking decisive action. 'Uttar Pradesh's leadership is commendable. Fake helmets are silent killers, and removing them from circulation is a major step in protecting lives," said Kapur. 'This bold stance sets a powerful precedent. We urge other states to follow suit." 2WHMA has long voiced concerns over the unchecked availability of uncertified helmets, many of which offer no real protection in crashes. The association has consistently lobbied for stricter enforcement and public accountability in helmet sales. Beyond Uttar Pradesh, the association is pushing for a coordinated national response. Kapur emphasized the need for a joint effort between government agencies, manufacturers, and the public. 'Road safety isn't a state issue—it's a national crisis. The time to act is now," he said. 'We are ready to support any state willing to join this mission to ensure only BIS-certified helmets reach the market." As Uttar Pradesh takes a firm stand against fake helmets, the move is being seen as a turning point in India's long struggle to reduce preventable road deaths. The hope is that this will ignite similar initiatives across the country, making roads safer for all two-wheeler riders. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 04 May 2025, 09:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
UP to enforce BIS-certified helmets, crack down on violators
The Uttar Pradesh transport commissioner has ordered strict enforcement of the use of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certified helmets and a crackdown on sellers and manufacturers found violating the rules to curb rising fatalities in road accidents, officials said on Wednesday. The move follows a key resolution passed during a state road safety council meeting chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on April 1, aimed at reducing road mishaps in the state. Referring to official data, transport commissioner BN Singh said Uttar Pradesh recorded 46,052 accidents in 2024, resulting in 24,118 deaths. 'Data shows that 51 percent of individuals are between the ages of 18 and 35. The trend is alarming, and it is a loss for families and the state as well,' Singh said. Highlighting the role of two-wheelers in these fatalities, Singh noted, 'Records show that 80 per cent of registered vehicles in the state are two-wheelers, so it is important to use BIS-certified helmets.' He said officials had been directed to ensure compliance with helmet norms and to take strict action, including registration of FIRs against sellers and manufacturers violating the standards. The directives have also been issued to district officials in Gautam Budh Nagar. 'We have also asked them to intensify awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of wearing BIS-certified helmets for their safety,' Singh added. According to a statement released by the state transport department, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, make it mandatory for bikers to wear BIS (ISI) certified helmets. Section 129 of the Act states that both the rider and the pillion passenger above four years of age must wear certified helmets. Section 177 classifies violations as punishable offences, while Section 138(4)(f) requires two-wheeler dealers to provide BIS-certified helmets to buyers at the time of sale. However, the transport department has found that several dealers continue to flout these norms by offering substandard helmets to customers. According to Noida Traffic Police data, the district recorded 1,156 road accidents in 2024. Of these, 966 people were injured and 462 lost their lives. During the same period, over 2.8 million fines were issued in Noida, with 2 million of them issued to motorcyclists for various violations. In the first three months of 2024, traffic police issued over 810,000 fines, with 354,000 (43%) issued to bikers for not wearing helmets.
