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New facility at Nand Nagri to test 72,000 vehicles annually
New facility at Nand Nagri to test 72,000 vehicles annually

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Automotive
  • Time of India

New facility at Nand Nagri to test 72,000 vehicles annually

New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art, fully automated Automated Testing Station (ATS) at the DTC Nand Nagri Depot in northeast Delhi. The new facility will have the capacity to test 72,000 vehicles annually, significantly expanding Delhi's vehicle inspection infrastructure. Delhi currently has about 4.5 lakh commercial vehicles requiring annual fitness certification. However, the only existing ATS in Jhuljhuli in southwest Delhi can accommodate only around 47,919 vehicles per year. The remaining vehicles—including trucks, buses, pick-up vans, goods carriers, and taxis — undergo testing in facilities outside Delhi. The new ATS at Nand Nagri aims to bridge this gap. Officials estimate that the additional centre will generate minimum annual revenue of Rs 3 crore — revenue that presently goes to neighbouring states. The foundation stone ceremony was attended by Delhi transport minister Pankaj Singh and MP Manoj Tiwari. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said the govt is committed to improving road safety, pollution control, and transparency by developing a modern transport system in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo "This ATS at Nand Nagri will provide much-needed relief to lakhs of vehicle owners in the trans-Yamuna region," she added. Highlighting Delhi's transport statistics, CM said, "Delhi has over 1.53 crore registered vehicles, including about 6.5 lakh commercial vehicles that require annual fitness certification. Currently, only one automated testing station operates at Jhuljhuli, with a capacity to test 47,919 vehicles per year." The new ATS will be fully digital and free from human intervention, ensuring transparency and fairness. It will feature a four-lane system: two lanes for heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), one for light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one for two-wheelers. Advanced testing procedures such as emission testing, roller brakes, suspension inspection (front and rear), underbody inspection, and headlight alignment will be conducted at the centre. With an annual testing capacity of 72,000 vehicles, including 20,000 two-wheelers, the centre is expected to generate Rs 3 crore annually for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The project cost is estimated at Rs 10 crore. CM Gupta also announced plans for another ATS at the DTC Tehkhand Depot in south-east Delhi to further boost the city's vehicle testing infrastructure.

Delhi women to get free bus travel via smart cards soon: CM Rekha Gupta
Delhi women to get free bus travel via smart cards soon: CM Rekha Gupta

Business Standard

time2 days ago

  • Politics
  • Business Standard

Delhi women to get free bus travel via smart cards soon: CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that her government would soon provide free bus travel cards to all women of the city with an aim to empower them with mobility. Saheli Smart Card, a personalised travel pass carrying the holder's name and photo, will facilitate free rides to women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 12 and above on all DTC and Cluster buses. Laying the foundation stone for a fully automated vehicle testing station (ATS) at the DTC's Nand Nagri Depot, the chief minister said, "This is a symbol of a safer, more transparent, and women-friendly Delhi." "Along with technological upgrades like the ATS, we are also focused on empowering women with mobility. Soon, every woman in Delhi will have access to free bus travel through smart travel cards," she said. The new testing facility, to be developed at a cost of Rs 10 crore, is aimed at enhancing road safety, transparency, and pollution control. Once commissioned, it is expected to digitally test 72,000 vehicles annually with no human intervention. Delhi has only one operational ATS in Jhuljhuli with a limited capacity. The new facility will increase testing capacity significantly, especially benefiting commercial vehicle owners. CM Gupta also announced the construction of another fully automated ATS at the DTC Tehkhand Depot in South-East Delhi. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said the initiative marks a major leap in Delhi's transport infrastructure and will help reduce long travel for vehicle owners seeking fitness certification. "We are combining technological advancement with accessibility and affordability. These centres will not only make Delhi roads safer but also generate Rs 3 crore annually for DTC," he said. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP-led Delhi government of dismantling key welfare schemes under the pretext of fighting corruption. The AAP's Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the BJP government was systematically shutting down pro-people initiatives like the Mohalla Clinics and the Pink Ticket scheme as part of its "anti-poor agenda".

27-Year-Old Grows DTC Business From $60,000 to Over $500,000
27-Year-Old Grows DTC Business From $60,000 to Over $500,000

Entrepreneur

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Entrepreneur

27-Year-Old Grows DTC Business From $60,000 to Over $500,000

Ruth Sack, 27, grew up with Streets Ahead, the luxury leather accessories brand her father, David Sack, founded in 1982. She and her siblings painted belts with nail polish in the Los Angeles factory and attended trade shows across the country with their parents. Image Credit: Courtesy of Streets Ahead. Ruth Sack. But it wasn't until 2020 that Sack considered dedicating significant time to the brand. "I went to UCLA and studied gender studies, and then Covid hit," Sack says. "I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I started helping out with the family business because things were pretty tough, and I actually sort of loved it." Sack went on to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and step in as Streets Ahead's head of marketing and design. Related: This 29-Year-Old's Side Hustle Brought People 'to the Dark Green Side.' It Made $10,000 Within 2 Days and Sees 6 Figures a Month. Streets Ahead's products are made locally in California with leather and hardware sourced from Italy, and the brand is known for its novelty pieces — "bestselling belts [with] crazy heart hardware with chains and snakes and things like that" — that have been spotted on numerous celebrities, including Beyoncé during her Cowboy Carter tour. Image Credit: Courtesy of Streets Ahead The brand built on its success as a legacy wholesale business over the decades, but when Sack joined the team, she wanted to explore its potential in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space. As it turns out, there was a lot: In just a few years, Sack grew DTC revenue from $60,000 to more than $500,000. Streets Ahead is projected to hit $3.2 million to $3.5 million in total revenue in 2025, with $2.7 million to $3 million from wholesale and $500,000 to $600,000 from DTC. Related: 'Absolute Freedom': Siblings Behind a Self-Funded 8-Figure Brand Reveal 3 Secrets Aspiring Entrepreneurs Should Know About Growth and Success "I came in and changed the platform to Shopify, kind of just revamped the whole thing." Streets Ahead's foray into DTC sales started with a website refresh. "We always had a website, but [no one ran it]," Sack says. "It didn't really make any money. It was never up to date. So I came in and changed the platform to Shopify, kind of just revamped the whole thing, and started adding products and keeping it up to date. And immediately we saw a difference." Once her parents saw the results, they were even more willing to invest in the brand's DTC strategy. Streets Ahead leaned into professional content creation and advertising and continued to see its DTC sales grow. Related: 6 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Before Launching a Direct to Consumer Brand Part of the brand's digital transformation also included a logo overhaul, Sack says. The company featured the new design across its social media platforms and started to generate interest from major influencers like Rocky Barnes, who boasts more than three million followers on Instagram and 200,000 followers on TikTok. " She found us through an ad that we were running, and she wanted the exact belts from the ad," Sack recalls. "So we started doing some gifting, and we could see that it worked. As we built our social presence, especially Instagram and ads, we got so many DMs, and now they keep coming." Image Credit: Courtesy of Streets Ahead "99% of the time we're making it from scratch." Sack would love to sell more on TikTok, but the platform's quick-ship requirements prove challenging for the made-to-order brand, as "everything is essentially custom" and takes time to manufacture. Whereas other companies might have thousands of units sitting in a warehouse ready to ship, every time Streets Ahead receives an order, that request is sent down to the factory, which starts the production process. "We don't have anything made here unless there was a return and we have [that returned product]," Sack says. "99% of the time we're making it from scratch." Related: I Revamped a Men's Product for Women. The Bootstrapped Business Was a Hit — and Pledged $20 Million to Support Women Entrepreneurs. Because of Streets Ahead's branding and social media presence, it can get "a little bit lost" on people that each item really is custom-made for them, Sack notes. The company follows up on particularly large orders to confirm them before moving forward with fulfillment. What's more, despite the business's made-to-order model, Streets Ahead does accept returns. " I buy things that I want to try and might return — we all do it," Sack says. "If we want to have this type of direct-to-consumer [platform], there has to be some kind of return. People need to try things on. They don't know their size. So we do allow returns, [but] we've now started to put a little tag on [products] that says, If this tag is removed, we can't accept the return, to prevent people from wearing it and then sending it back." "You have to be okay doing the grunt work." As Sack considers Street Ahead's future and her own role within it, she's excited to expand the brand's offerings beyond belts. The brand dropped its first handbag collection last month, and Sack says she'd love to branch into shoes, particularly leather boots and sandals with hardware, down the line. Image Credit: Courtesy of Streets Ahead Related: 'Rules Are Suggestions': This Fashion Founder Is Using AI to Eliminate the Industry's Massive Sizing and Waste Problems For young professionals or aspiring entrepreneurs who hope to make their mark on the fashion industry, Sack says it's important to "learn a little bit of everything" — and be prepared to do your part. "You have to be okay doing the grunt work," Sack says. "There are some days I'm down shipping, some days I'm cleaning buckles, things that someone as a designer or creative director doesn't necessarily want to do. But you need to be a team player and be willing to know every single role."

Aadhaar must for Delhi women to get free bus rides. Key details
Aadhaar must for Delhi women to get free bus rides. Key details

India Today

time2 days ago

  • India Today

Aadhaar must for Delhi women to get free bus rides. Key details

Travelling in DTC buses is about to change for women in Delhi. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the current pink ticket system for free bus rides will soon be replaced with a Pink Pass, meant only for Delhi's women shift isn't just cosmetic. The new system comes with stricter eligibility: only women who are residents of Delhi will get the benefit, and to access it, an Aadhaar card will be soon, we will replace the pink ticket with a Pink Pass for free bus travel for women in Delhi. However, this free travel will be available only to women who are residents of Delhi." Chief Minister Rekha GuptaAADHAAR IS NOW MANDATORY FOR THE BENEFITS While the free bus ride scheme has been popular among women commuters in Delhi, the new plan aims to fine-tune the benefit by ensuring it only reaches local residents. According to Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, a new system is currently being developed and will be rolled out soon. The key change? Women will need to produce their Aadhaar card to qualify for the free Aadhaar requirement ensures that only Delhi-based women can avail the service, closing any loophole that allowed women from neighbouring states to ride for CHANGES TO IMPROVE DELHI'S TRANSPORTApart from this, CM Rekha Gupta also inaugurated a new automatic testing station at Nand Nagri Depot. These kinds of smart infrastructure additions are expected to modernise Delhi's public transport system, especially for vehicle fitness also addressed the financial health of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), stating that the government is committed to rescuing DTC from a massive Rs 65,000 crore loss. One of the steps includes reworking the city's bus routes in collaboration with IIT experts to make them more efficient and NEXT FOR COMMUTERS?For now, the pink tickets will continue. But once the Pink Pass system rolls out, women riders in Delhi should expect a more digitised and regulated way of accessing free travel. This could also mean a smarter verification system, possibly integrated with smart cards or mobile apps later down the move is part of a larger push to not only provide women with safer, cost-free public transport but also to curb misuse and ensure accountability.- EndsTrending Reel

Chaos in Delhi as private bus fleet goes off-road
Chaos in Delhi as private bus fleet goes off-road

Hans India

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Hans India

Chaos in Delhi as private bus fleet goes off-road

New Delhi: Delhi's public transport system is under mounting pressure as over 600 buses were pulled from service on Wednesday, leaving lakhs of daily commuters stranded across the capital. The crisis was triggered by the termination of contracts for 533 private CNG cluster buses operated under the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) and an ongoing strike by bus operators over unpaid salaries. According to officials, 613 buses in total, including around 80 buses from the Ghazipur depot—did not operate on July 16. This abrupt drop in fleet strength has intensified crowding at bus stops and caused delays on major routes, especially during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening. Delhi currently records around 40 lakh daily bus passengers, but with fewer buses on the road, many passengers are forced to wait longer and travel in overcrowded vehicles. The problem is particularly severe in areas that already suffered from limited frequency and connectivity. Until July 15, Delhi's combined bus fleet stood at 6,368 vehicles, which included 3,372 buses from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 2,996 from DIMTS. The DTC fleet comprised 1,170 CNG buses, 1,800 twelve-meter electric buses, and 402 nine-meter electric buses (Devi buses). DIMTS, on the other hand, operated 2,283 CNG buses, 380 electric buses, and 333 Devi buses. With the exit of 533 CNG cluster buses, the total number of operational buses has now fallen to 5,835, far below the estimated requirement of 11,000 to meet Delhi's public transport demands. The situation stems from the expiration of the bus contract on July 15. The dispute over the contract's renewal reached the Delhi High Court, which referred the matter to an arbitrator. On July 15, the arbitrator ruled that the contract period had not been extended, though the Delhi government is free to enter into a new agreement if it chooses. However, the transition has been anything but smooth, as salary delays have triggered a strike among drivers and operators, compounding the shortage. This double blow,legal delays and worker unrest has left commuters facing significant inconvenience. Long queues, packed buses, and uncertainty have become the norm for Delhi's public transport users. Critics have also pointed fingers at the BJP-led Delhi government, questioning its preparedness and long-term planning. Although the government has announced its aim to electrify the entire bus fleet by 2027, progress has been limited. Only small nine-meter electric buses (Devi) have been introduced so far, with larger electric buses yet to make a visible impact on the ground.

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