Latest news with #MIDC
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Industries and PWD ministers to meet Chakan MIDC stakeholders over poor roads, traffic woes
Pune: Industries minister Uday Samant and public works department (PWD) minister Shivendraraje Bhosale will on Wednesday meet public representatives and officials from various govt agencies to discuss the issues related to the deteriorating road condition and traffic congestion in the areas surrounding Chakan MIDC. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 12.30pm in Mumbai and will also cover long-pending proposals, including road widening and development of elevated roads in the region. The meeting comes in response to appeals from MIDC employees and local residents, who raised concerns over daily traffic chaos on connecting roads and highlighted the worsening state of Talegaon-Shikrapur Road. They demanded urgent intervention from state govt, especially after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recently held a meeting to address similar issues in Hinjewadi IT Park. Dhiraj Mukte, a Chakan resident, said the agencies responsible for the road's upkeep failed to carry out timely repairs before the monsoon. "The road is now riddled with potholes that collect mud and water, leading to frequent accidents," he said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune In April, state govt approved Rs6,499 crore for infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of a four-lane elevated road between Talegaon and Chakan, and a six-lane road from Chakan to Shikrapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo MIDC employees have also launched an online petition 'UNCLOG CHAKAN MIDC'. Bhosari BJP MLA Mahesh Landge, who has been invited to the upcoming meeting, said, "Instead of just extending the support, I am actively pursuing these issues with govt. Just as steps are being taken to resolve the issues in the IT park, we will also work to address the challenges faced by industries in Chakan MIDC." One of the key roads in the region, the Nashik-Pune highway, which falls under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), connects MIDC to various parts of Pune. Thousands of employees commuting daily via this route face traffic jams. The meeting will also discuss the development of the proposed Nashik Phata-Rajgurunagar elevated corridor, which is expected to be implemented by NHAI and ease the traffic on the highway.
Mint
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Govt snubs auto lobby as new fuel efficiency draft rejects relaxations for small trucks
New Delhi: India's top energy efficiency agency has snubbed a demand by automakers such as Mahindra and Mahindra and Tata Motors to exclude light commercial vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes from fuel efficiency norms. In a notification released on Monday night, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) issued the latest draft of fuel efficiency norms which will cover heavy, medium and light commercial vehicles, that is N1, N2 and N3 categories of trucks. The proposal included light commercial vehicles despite opposition from several carmakers who argued that the segment caters to a poorer segment of the economy and such norms will put pressure on costs. They have made several representations to the government over the past few months. However, BEE has not budged in its submissions. 'Passenger cars (M1 Category) are regulated under CAFE standards, but LCVs (<3,500 kg GVW) remain unregulated. Regulating LCVs will aid decarbonization and reduce fuel costs for small businesses. Most N1 vehicles have a kerb weight ranging between 1,000-2,000 kg,' BEE said in its notifications. The agency added that extensive deliberations were carried out with stakeholders, including representatives from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MoRTH (ministry of road transport and highways), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), testing agencies (ARAI, ICAT, NATRIP), and leading think tanks. In financial year 2025, the country saw sales of 582,852 light commercial vehicles, a decline of 2% compared to the year ago period. With 30 days for the industry to respond to the proposal, the auto lobby Siam will have to rush to the government with its recommendations even as it tries to build consensus internally over the issue. Last week, automakers attending a Siam meeting executive council meeting agreed to work on an addendum to a December 2024 submission made to the ministry of power on fuel efficiency norms. As part of the addendum, the automakers are slated to work on possible relaxations for LCVs as well as small cars. 'The agency has come out with the proposal fast and it appears the final draft will have regulations on the LCV category despite opposition from automakers. While automakers are working on their proposal, the agency appears to be of the view that enough time was given for concrete recommendations,' a person aware of the developments said. Queries sent to Mahindra and Mahindra, and Ashok Leyland did not elicit an immediate response. Tata Motors declined to comment on the draft. To be sure, fuel efficiency norms do not apply to individual vehicles, but to a manufacturer's entire fleet. As per the BEE's latest draft proposal for N1 trucks, the average emissions of carbon dioxide for the fleet should be under 115 grams per kilometre under the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC) testing conditions. But these may be revised after industry inputs, BEE said in its notification. Post submission of comments and any subsequent changes, BEE's submission will go to the MoRTH which will issue the final rules. The fuel efficiency norms are set to come into effect by April 2027. Fuel efficiency norms for commercial vehicles are essential because they have a heavier share in carbon emissions from transportation, despite making up a small part of the total vehicles on roads. In India, for instance, freight vehicles make up about 3% of the total vehicles, but emit about a third of the country's road-related pollutants. Vehicle design norms may not be enough to combat emissions from commercial vehicles, said Gurudas Nulkar, professor and director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. 'The condition of roads, condition of vehicles, and the vehicle design have a bearing on the emissions. In the case of heavier vehicles—trucks and buses—emissions are higher when they are stuck in traffic on a low gear. While fuel efficiency norms will make commercial vehicles cleaner when they travel longer distances, there needs to be a focus on policies for such vehicles when they move in urban spaces.' Nulkar also said commercial vehicles are often not maintained as well as passenger cars, making fuel efficiency norms only a part of the solution. 'Vehicles run on the streets, not in labs. Not all vehicles are maintained in the manner that they are tested,' he said. The draft proposal for fuel efficiency norms for commercial vehicles is the latest step in the government's push for cleaner mobility in the country. Earlier this month, the ministry of heavy industries announced guidelines to claim subsidies for purchasing electric trucks under the ₹ 10,900-crore PM E-drive scheme. The scheme, which has a ₹ 500 crore allocation for the zero-emission trucks, aims to reduce carbon emissions on Indian roads by providing demand incentives for about 5,500 electric trucks.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘We are ruined, Hinjewadi IT Park moving out of Maharashtra': Ajit Pawar's angry outburst goes viral
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's sharp remarks during a visit to Pimpri-Chinchwad have sparked political debate, after he claimed that Pune's Hinjewadi IT Park is gradually shifting to cities outside Maharashtra. A video clip of Pawar expressing frustration over local governance issues has gone viral on social media. A video clip of Pawar expressing frustration over local governance issues has gone viral on social media. While speaking to Ganesh Jambhulkar, a local sarpanch, during an early morning inspection, Pawar warned that the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi was losing ground to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. 'We are finished. The entire Hinjewadi IT Park is relocating, leaving Pune and Maharashtra for Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Is anyone even bothered?' said Pawar, who is also Pune's guardian minister. The remarks were made during a surprise visit to areas around the IT park, which took place around 6 am, where Pawar reviewed complaints related to waterlogging and other civic problems across several areas in Pimpri Chinchwad. As Jambhulkar raised concerns in front of the media, Pawar responded curtly, saying, 'Temples get submerged when dams are built. Say what you want — I'll listen — but I will act as I see fit.' He also expressed frustration at the need for such early morning inspections and said the situation demanded tough decisions. 'Why do I need to come here at six in the morning? This can't continue — strong steps must be taken,' he said, asking media persons to turn off their cameras. Subsequently, the Deputy CM took to the microblogging site X, sharing footage of his visit from early in the day, writing, 'Change is coming, every problem of Puneites will be solved..!' This was Pawar's second visit to Hinjewadi within a week, after locals, mostly comprising the IT workforce, had complained about poor infrastructure leading to frequent waterlogging, traffic snarls, and power cuts. Even the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had held a meeting earlier this month, assuring a quick solution to the problems faced by locals. The Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), spans over 2,800 acres. It is home to over 200 firms and contributes over 60 per cent of Maharashtra's IT export. Pawar's remarks have triggered questions about the state's ability to retain major investments in its tech sector, as opposition has previously claimed that IT companies are leaving Hinjewadi park. Last year in June, Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA) had claimed that 37 IT companies had moved out of Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park because of a lack of basic infrastructure.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
No NOC needed to sell flats on land owned by govt or civic agencies
MUMBAI: The department of stamps and registration has issued a circular that has brought relief to developers intending to sell flats they have built or properties they have redeveloped on land owned by various government or civic agencies. MHADA Office at Bandra Internet photo In a clarification issued on Thursday, the department said builders do not require a no-objection certificate (NOC) from agencies such as the Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Authority (MHADA), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) or municipalities, to sell or transfer flats built on land belonging to these agencies. The clarification was issued by Dharmdev Mainkar, deputy inspector general of stamps and registration. Confusion had arisen in April, after the department amended Article 18 (a)(1) (b) of the Registration Act. The amendment was ambiguous, and officials had interpreted it in a way that required an NOC from MHADA, SRA, MIDC and CIDCO for the sale and transfer of every flat built on their property, explained Hitesh Thakkar, an expert on property registration. 'This led to procedural and other delays, which ultimately led to a 70% fall in the registration of such properties. Some buyers also sought a refund of stamp duty as it was not possible to get NOCs in time,' he said. The July 24 circular, however, clarifies that the provisions of section 18 (a) (1) (b) of the Registration Act will not be applicable to the sale or resale of residential and/or non-residential units in buildings developed by private developers on land leased by municipalities, local self-government bodies and authorities such as MHADA, CIDCO and MIDC. They will, however, apply to documents in the form of final purchase deed / assignment deed in the form of land and construction in the interest of the organization or company in respect of such property, the clarification said. Raju Dhote, deputy inspector general, stamps and registration department, said the clarification had been issued after consulting the state revenue department and law and judiciary department. They had also informed the state inspector general of stamps and registration, Ravindra Binwade, about the delays and losses in revenue. A senior officer in the state finance department said, 'The finances of the state are strained because of the Ladki Bahin and other welfare schemes. Most revenue comes from urban areas and we realised that our revenue from stamps and registration in urban areas was falling. Hence, we asked the Stamps and registration department to issue the clarification.'
NDTV
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
MG Cyberster Electric Sports Car To Launch Tomorrow: Specs, Top Speed, Range, Features
MG took the wraps off the Cyberster electric sports car at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. However, it is now time for the launch of the much-anticipated sports car, scheduled for tomorrow, i.e., 25th July. While the detailed features list is still under cover, here are a few details about the MG Cyberster you must check out. MG Cyberster: Specs The MG Cyberster has a 77 kWh battery pack that powers the dual electric motors positioned on each axle, providing all-wheel drive capabilities. It is capable of delivering a peak power and torque output of 510 hp and 725 Nm. MG Cyberster Interior MG Cyberster: Top Speed The MG Cyberster electric sports car boasts a top speed of 200 km/h and can shoot from 0-100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. MG Cyberster: Range The MG Cyberster gets a 77 kWh battery pack that is claimed to deliver a range of 580 km on a single charge. It must be noted that the specified range is as per the standard MIDC test procedure (Part 1 + Part 2), and it may vary depending on various driving behaviours, traffic conditions, speeds, vehicle load, and more. MG Cyberster: Features The MG Cyberster gets a driver-focused, minimalistic dashboard with a flat-bottom steering wheel, which has multiple controls and three wraparound digital displays. The center console of the car is equipped with an additional screen along with physical buttons for various things like the roof mechanism, drive selector, and HVAC control. Apart from these, it gets a Level 2 ADAS suite for a safe drive. MG Cyberster Features On the outside, the Cyberster gets Lamorghini-style scissor doors, soft-top convertible roof, adding to the sporty appeal. It is equipped with a front double wishbone suspension along with a rear five-link independent suspension. The weight of the vehicle is evenly distributed with a 50:50 balance between the front and rear, which aids in maintaining balanced traction.
