Congress appoints new office-bearers for Uttarakhand unit

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The government on Tuesday released a report on zero-emission trucking (ZET), which projects a transition to Battery Electric Trucks to significantly reduce pollution and fuel consumption in the country by mid-century.

The report, released by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the governmen and titled “ZET Adoption in India and its Impact on Emission and Energy”, focuses on the medium and heavy-duty truck sector and emphasises the importance of supportive policies to accelerate zero-emission trucking (ZET) adoption and achieving India’s net-zero goals.

India’s freight sector – driven primarily by medium and heavy-duty trucks – accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the nation’s logistics operations, playing a critical role in economic growth and industrial development. However, this sector is also a significant contributor to fuel consumption (approximately 40 per cent) and the nation’s emissions.

As freight demand continues to rise, initiatives to transition toward sustainable transport solutions have commenced. Given the current trends in green hydrogen (H2) production costs and limited infrastructure availability, this report assumes that BETs will be the primary zero-emission technology (ZET) for M&HDTs for some time.

Against this background, this detailed study provides projections on BET adoption, emission savings, savings in fuel and electricity demand under scenarios that are as accurate as possible.

The analysis is based on in-depth input from experts in the truck industry who have a comprehensive understanding of the market, its use cases, and the relevant technologies.

Historical data from sources such as the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Vahan portal, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Ministry of Power (MoP) combined with interviews of stakeholders from across the value chain in various regions of the country underpin the projections. Interviews conducted with representatives from major OEMs, operators of different use cases, experts from end-use industries, and other related sectors helped in the curation of the report.

“The adoption of ZETs is a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing energy security. As a nation committed to achieving Net Zero by 2070, the electrification of freight transport will play a transformative role in shaping a cleaner and more efficient logistics ecosystem. Wider adoption of ZET will create pathways for cleaner transportation in India,” Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood said.

The report is the outcome of a year-long exercise and scenario evaluation in consultation with leading industries, subject matter experts and stakeholders. The report underscores the importance of targeted early-stage interventions—such as enhanced fiscal incentives, specialised product offerings, and robust charging solutions—to accelerate market confidence in BETs.

The report aims to assist policymakers, industry stakeholders and investors in making informed decisions that will foster a sustainable and economically viable transition to electric trucking in India.

–IANS

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Patna, June 20 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a slew of projects in Bihar on Friday, including the Vande Bharat train, an incident from the past surfaced online, showcasing his affinity and sensitivity for the party workers.

Modi Story, a popular social media handle on X, shared an incident from PM Modi’s 2019 visit to Bihar and how his conduct and concern for one of the ‘karykartya’ earned him praise from all quarters.

In the video, Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari, former Bihar MLA, recounts an incident from 2019, when PM Modi visited the state for the Lok Sabha poll campaign. He was to address two back-to-back public rallies, but a mishap happened at the stage in the first rally, prompting him to defer the second event by some time.

Recalling the incident, the ex-MLA said, “For the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi arrived in Bihar and was slated to address two rallies – one in Khaira (Jamui) and the other in Gaya. While PM Modi wrapped up his first rally and was to leave for the second, one of the party workers collapsed on stage and suffered injuries to his head.”

“The Prime Minister had to rush to the second venue in Gaya to address the public gathering. But, he stayed put there for quite some time and left only after the injured worker was given first-aid and sent to the hospital in a vehicle,” he added.

“We took the injured karyakarta to a nearby hospital in Jamui. We thought that we had done our work, but PM Modi remained concerned for his well-being even after leaving the venue. He kept calling to get an update on his health. He called me twice – first after boarding the chopper, then after reaching the rally venue in Gaya. Even after he left Gaya, he called up and suggested taking him to a bigger medical centre in Patna, if required,” the ex-MLA said, recalling the episode.

“It’s this concern and sensitivity for fellow colleagues that sets PM Modi apart from other leaders. This is what makes him a leader par excellence,” the former legislator said, taking pride in his association with this particular episode.

Further sharing his thoughts, he said that PM Modi has a unique trait of striking an instant connect with the people.

“The Prime Minister understands the people. Wherever he goes, he greets them in the local language – be it Mithila or Bhojpuri,” he concluded.

–IANS

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Chennai, Oct 5 (IANS) In a rare move to strengthen flood defences before the northeast monsoon, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has extended permission for road-cut works until October 15, one month beyond the usual September 15 deadline.

The civic body says the extension will help complete critical stormwater and pipeline upgrades, but the decision has triggered anxiety among residents worried about unfinished roads and open trenches turning into flood and accident hazards.

Traditionally, all digging is stopped by mid-September to allow road restoration before the rain. This year, however, GCC has made an exception to fast-track ongoing projects by its own engineering teams and other agencies, including Chennai Metrowater.

The aim, officials say, is to reduce waterlogging and ensure smoother traffic once the monsoon sets in.

According to corporation data, stormwater drains are being interconnected at 92 locations across the city’s 15 zones.

Metrowater is also replacing old pipelines under the North Chennai Development Scheme.

“The work must be completed by October 15. After that, only emergency road cuts will be permitted until the end of the monsoon,” Mayor R. Priya said.

She added that about 75 per cent of road re-laying has been finished and that “flood mitigation works are in full swing, with motor pumps on standby and restored ponds ready to hold excess rainwater”.

The mayor also inspected flood-prevention works, including near the Ganeshpuram flyover and subway.

The Ganeshpuram subway, closed for nearly 18 months, will reopen to the public on October 10, while the flyover itself is slated for completion in January.

Despite reassurances, neighbourhood associations remain unconvinced.

“They dig up the road and leave it half-finished. Once the work ends, proper relaying never happens. Instead of extending deadlines, the civic body should have finished earlier so that we could have safe, level roads before the rain,” a resident of the Sarvamangala Colony in Ashok Nagar, Chennai said.

Others warned that the early arrival of the monsoon could be dangerous.

“During intense rain, open pits make roads slippery and unsafe. The intention is good, but deadlines must be honoured. No new digging should happen now,” said M. Balakrishnan of Tansi Nagar RWA in Velachery.

Officials maintain all open pits will be closed before the rains, but residents say timely completion is crucial to avoid another season of potholes and waterlogged chaos.

–IANS

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