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Time of India
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
15-0.5% in 6 months: Technology helps UP slash its licence backlog
Noida: UP has drastically cut its backlog of pending driving licence applications through tighter monitoring and greater use of technology, the state's transport commissioner, BN Singh, said. Official data shows the pendency rate fell to just 0.5% between Jan 1 and June 10, from an earlier 15%. According to data from the transport department, the Ghaziabad RTO region, which includes Noida, Hapur, Ghaziabad, and Bulandshahr, received 24,115 applications in this period, with only 15 cases still pending. The pendency rate is just 0.06%. Data shows a total of 7,889 applications were cleared, with only one application pending. More than 90% of districts have maintained pendency levels below 0.5 percent. Transport commissioner attributed this progress to consistent departmental oversight and impactful awareness campaigns run via social media and other platforms. The commissioner said that the transport department recently launched a 24x7 WhatsApp chatbot service to make transport-related services more accessible. "Citizens now receive step-by-step guidance on applying for learner and permanent licences, checking challans, requesting NOCs, or requesting new vehicles through the chatbot at 8005441222. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo This also significantly increased awareness among people," the commissioner said. The chatbot currently lacks a payment gateway, so users can only retrieve information and make transactions. Siyaram Verma, ARTO (administration), Noida, explained that applicants can apply for a driving licence through the Parivahan portal, where they can submit an application form and pay the required fee. A driving test slot is then assigned, and if the applicant passes the driving test, the licence is issued—typically within 10 to 15 days.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
UP seeks report on crackdown against illegal HSRP dealers
The Uttar Pradesh transport department has directed all regional and enforcement transport officers to submit detailed reports on steps taken to curb the unauthorised sale and installation of high-security registration plates (HSRPs). In an official directive, transport commissioner BN Singh asked officers to provide updates on whether any unauthorised vendors have been blacklisted, FIRs registered with police assistance, or proposals sent for cancellation of type approval certificates. The department has also asked for data from enforcement drives carried out over the past six months, the formation of joint task forces with local police and administration, and public awareness campaigns discouraging the use of unauthorised HSRPs. Officials have been told to report whether the VAHAN portal is being actively monitored and if grievance redressal systems for vehicle owners are functioning efficiently. They have also been asked to specify if reports were submitted to headquarters following the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) directives. Additionally, the directive sought details of any special efforts made to promote HSRP compliance in rural and remote regions. 'This exercise aims to strengthen enforcement and guide future policy measures,' Singh noted in the directive.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
NBRI spray to keep bouquet flowers fresh for longer span
Lucknow: How about the cut flowers we decorate in vases at our home, or the bouquets we give to loved ones stay fresh for days? FloriGuard, a special spray developed by CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, has the potential of increasing the shelf life depending on the variety. For example, the spray will double the shelf life of Chrysanthemum while tripling the life and freshness of Gerbera cut flowers. The technology of the spray has been transferred to a Pune-based private firm for its production, and it was launched for the public on Friday. "NBRI-FloriGuard is a herbal spray that acts as a natural/herbal preservative solution that effectively extends the lifespan of cut flowers through multiple mechanisms. The formulation works by suppressing ethylene-producing genes, which significantly reduces the overall ethylene production in flowers. This reduction ranges between 33-56%, thereby slowing down the natural ageing process of cut flowers," said NBRI principal scientist BN Singh, who is credited with developing the product. He said that the spray contains active compounds that strengthen the flower's natural defence system against harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo By enhancing the flowers' inherent antioxidant mechanisms, it protects against cellular damage and deterioration. The formulation is particularly effective in preventing common problems associated with cut flowers. It reduces premature falling of petals, maintains moisture balance, and prevents unsightly brown spots on petals and leaves. The spray ensures that flowers retain their natural shape and structure for a longer duration, he added. NBRI director Ajit Kumar Shahsany said, "NBRI in its mission encompasses scientific research, knowledge dissemination, and societal benefit by giving best herbal products to society along with our consistent initiatives like pollution remediation, climate adaptation, and plant improvement to benefit common man." The technology of another product, a herbal floor disinfectant and cleaner (floormop), and a herbal nano serum was also transferred to a Gurugram-based firm on the occasion. "We have developed a water-soluble plant-based floor disinfectant," said Singh.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Seven die in incidents of lightning strikes, drowning in Jharkhand's Bokaro
At least seven people died due to incidents of lightning strike and drowning in Jharkhand's Bokaro district on Tuesday, police said. Five people drowned in two areas of the district, while two others were killed after being struck by lightning, they said. Four members of a family, including a woman and her two daughters, drowned while bathing in a pond at Gamharia village in Chandankiyari area, said Kaushalendra Kumar, in-charge of the local police station. The second incident happened at Barmasia village, where a boy drowned in a village pond, another police official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 9 years ago - Most beautiful twins. Their appearance today will shock you Novelodge Undo Meanwhile, two people were killed in a lightning strike in Simrabeda village under the Mahuatand police station area, Bermo Sub-Divisional Police Officer BN Singh said.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Post Lucknow bus blaze: 47 buses seized, ₹30L fined in Noida
Noida The Gautam Budh Nagar Transport Department has seized 47 private passenger buses and issued challans totalling nearly ₹30 lakh to 35 of them for rules' violations, officials said on Monday. The step followed an Uttar Pradesh transport commissioner directive issued in the light of a Delhi-bound private sleeper bus, running without permit, catching fire on the outskirts of Lucknow on May 15, leaving five people dead. 'Following the directive, we formed a five-member team under the supervision of the assistant regional transport officer (ARTO - Enforcement) and conducted intensive checks on May 15, 16, and 17,' said Gautam Budh Nagar ARTO Siyaram Verma. 'We are currently conducting a drive against autos and will continue the drive against buses every month with a fortnight's gap, to prevent any untoward incidents,' the ARTO added. The transport department's investigation found that bus owners and operators were overloading their vehicles beyond the prescribed capacity. Such violations significantly increase the risk of accidents, officers said. 'All regional RTOs have been instructed to check buses in accordance with the Bus Body Code — a regulatory framework that lays down uniform technical guidelines for the design, construction, and approval of bus bodies built on chassis by authorised bus body builders,' said UP transport commissioner B N Singh, adding that permits will be cancelled if any bus is found violating the rules. 'ARTOs have been instructed to carry out thorough inspections during the fitness certification process. This includes verifying the Registration Certificate (RC), insurance documents, Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, road tax receipts, permit documents, chassis and engine number, engine performance, starting condition, exhaust emissions, and other parameters to ensure that buses meet safety and regulatory standards,' Singh added. Meanwhile, the investigation in the Lucknow bus incident revealed that an additional seat had been installed near the driver's cabin, blocking the main exit and making it difficult for passengers to escape. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit, and the bus's emergency exit failed to open during the blaze. According to Noida transport department data, there are nearly 5,000 private buses registered with the Transport Department, in addition to 1,900 school buses in the district.
