Latest news with #BS-6
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Special bus to aid ‘Pitr Paksh' rituals in Gaya
1 2 Varanasi: The Uttar Pradesh govt has taken a significant step for travelers to Gaya in Bihar for 'Pitr Paksh', the fortnight-long period during which rituals are offered for departed souls to rest in peace. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) launched from Wednesday a special bus service from Varanasi to Gaya. The service will facilitate pilgrims to fulfil religious duties and rituals, such as 'pind daan' and 'tarpan'. The bus is being operated on trial basis, and if successful, it may run regularly. The bus from Chandauli Depot will depart daily at 8 pm from Varanasi's Chaudhary Charan Singh Bus Terminal and reach Gaya by 4 am. On return, it will leave Gaya at 8 am and be back in Varanasi by 3 pm, traveling 295 kms. The fare from Varanasi to Gaya is Rs 465. During Pitr Paksh, lakhs of devotees from across the country visit Gaya to perform rituals like Pind Daan and Tarpan for their ancestors. Until now, pilgrims had to rely on limited options like private vehicles or trains, causing inconvenience and time wastage. This new bus service provides direct connectivity from Varanasi to Gaya, saving travelers time and resources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Parashuram Pandey, regional manager of the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, said the service had been initiated on trial basis and based on response of passengers, it could be operated regularly. From Varanasi to Gaya, the bus will pass Chandauli, Mohania, Kudra, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Sherghati and Dobhi. The bus service will benefit not only pilgrims from Varanasi and surrounding areas but also strengthen the cultural and religious ties between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The service features 52-seater bus that is environment-friendly adhering to BS-6 standards and offering passenger comfort. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Bulk of Mercedes-Benz cars in India are E20 compliant: MD Santosh Iyer
A bulk of the Mercedes-Benz cars currently on Indian roads are E20 compliant, as the luxury carmaker has been selling such models in the country since 2018, its India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Santosh Iyer told Business Standard in an interview. E20 compliance means a vehicle's engine, fuel system, and emission-control components are designed and tested to operate safely on petrol blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol without causing damage or abnormal wear. In recent weeks, social media discussions have intensified over whether E20 fuel affects fuel efficiency and engine performance. 'Mercedes-Benz was the first in India to introduce a BS-6 compliant car. In August 2018, we introduced the new S-Class, which was BS-6 compliant… Mr Gadkari (Union road transport minister) himself flagged off that car,' Iyer said, adding that all BS-6 compliant cars sold in India have been E20 compliant as well. The German carmaker has not tested cars sold prior to August 2018 for the impact of E20 fuel on engines and fuel efficiency. Iyer admitted that these older models might face a slight impact on performance due to E20 fuel, which is now available at fuel pumps. 'We have sold close to 200,000 cars in India in the last 30 years. However, the last 100,000 units were sold in just the last six years. The last 150,000 units were sold in the last 10 years. So, a bulk of the cars we have sold in India would be E20 compliant,' he said. Iyer was speaking to reporters on Tuesday night after launching the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé — a high-performance, two-door luxury model — in India, with prices starting at ₹1.35 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). 'Mercedes-Benz was one of the first luxury manufacturers to get E20 certification. We got it the moment we introduced BS-6 compliant cars. Later, in 2024, we started getting E20 certificates for our cars. So, in that sense, all our cars that we sell in India are fully compliant today,' he said. 'I think material compatibility (with E20 fuel) also remains for cars we sold earlier. But by the laws of physics and chemistry, you can say that with a lower or higher ethanol rating, the combustion process is different… I would say you will definitely have a difference in performance,' he said. 'But today, the cars we are currently selling have no change in performance because they are all compatible with E20 fuel,' he noted. 'The cars that were sold many years back might have a slight impact on performance, but the government's direction is clear, and from April 2024, we started getting our cars certified as E20 compliant.' Mercedes-Benz, India's top luxury carmaker, began FY26 with its best-ever April–June sales, delivering 4,238 cars — a 10 per cent increase from the previous year.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Bulk of Mercedes cars on road are E20 compliant, says MD
Bulk of Mercedes-Benz cars currently on Indian roads are E20-compliant and the luxury carmaker has been selling such models in the country since 2018, the firm's India Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer told Business Standard in an interview. E20 compliance means that a vehicle's engine, fuel system, and emission-control components are designed and tested to operate safely on petrol blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol without causing damage. There have, however, been heightened social media discussions during the past few weeks about whether E20 fuel affects efficiency and engine performance. 'Mercedes Benz was the first in India to introduce a BS-6 compliant car. In August 2018, we introduced the new S class, which was BS-6 Gadkari (Union roads minister) himself flagged that car,' Iyer said, adding that all BS-6 compliant cars sold in India have been E20 compliant, too. The German carmaker has not tested the 'cars that were sold prior' to August 2018 for the impact of E20 fuel on their engines and fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, Iyer admitted that cars sold prior to 2018 might face a slight impact on performance due to E20 fuel, which is now being sold at fuel pumps. 'We have sold close to 200,000 cars in India in the past 30 years. However, the past 100,000 units were sold just in the past six years. The last 150,000 units were sold in the past 10 years. So, a bulk of the cars that we would have sold in India would be E20-compliant,' he noted. Iyer was talking to reporters on Tuesday night after launching the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé -- a high-performance, two-door luxury model -- in India, with prices starting at ₹1.35 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). 'In 2024, we started getting the E20 certificates for our cars. So, in that sense, all our cars that we sell in India are fully compliant today on the E20,' he said. 'I think material compatibility (with E20 fuel) also remains for cars that we have sold earlier. But the fuel, and by the laws of physics and chemistry, you can say that if you have a lower or higher ethanol rating, the combustion process is different...I would say that you will definitely have a difference in performance,' he said. 'But today, the cars that we are currently selling have no change in performance because they are all compatible with the E20 fuel,' he noted. 'The cars that were sold many years back might have had a slight impact on the performance, but otherwise, I think the government's direction is clear and from April 2024, we started getting our cars certified as E20 compliant,' he noted. Mercedes-Benz, India's top luxury carmaker, started FY25-26 with its best-ever April–June sales, delivering 4,238 cars, a 10 per cent increase from last year.
