Latest news with #Bhel
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Defence ministry signs pact with Tidco for material testing lab
Trichy: Ministry of defence (MoD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (Tidco) to develop a testing facility in mechanical and material domain as a part of Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor in Trichy under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS). Senior officials from MoD and Tidco exchanged the MoU, in the presence of secretary (defence production), MoD, Sanjeev Kumar. at New Delhi on Monday. The DTIS provides up to 75% govt funding as 'Grant-in-Aid', with the remaining 25% funded by the special purpose vehicle (SPV), comprising Indian private entities, state, and central govts. For the mechanical and material domain testing facility, Micro Labs, a private entity, is the lead SPV member. Other members include Tidco, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Vaidheswaran Industries. "So far, we have been going to Chennai and Bengaluru to conduct material testing. The proposed lab besides helping around 40 defence production companies in sectors including batteries and electronics across Trichy, will serve the Bhel ancillaries too," N Kanagasabapathy, coordinator, Bhel small-scale industries (Bhelsia) said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Once completed, the lab will provide advanced testing equipment and services to both govt and private industry to achieve self-reliance in defence production. A statement said that seven testing facilities were approved - four in Tamil Nadu and three in Uttar Pradesh.
Mint
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Bhel looks to tap India's payments powerhouse to charge up govt's EV drive
New Delhi: State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd will seek the expertise of UPI-maker National Payments Corporation of India to develop a digital app with an integrated payments mechanism for a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, three officials said. Bhel is likely to be nominated to lead the tendering process for 72,300 EV public charging stations under the ₹10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme, Mint reported on 16 June. The Centre's marquee scheme to incentivize green mobility has allocated ₹2,000 crore to subsidize electric vehicle charging stations, but the PM E-Drive scheme has only about eight months left in its runtime. Bhel's latest efforts reflect its diversification from being a manufacturer of thermal power equipment to aggregating demand for EV charging infrastructure across the country. 'Bhel is going to reach out to NPCI for developing the app. This is the first time Bhel is making an app for EV charging," said one of the officials. 'Bhel is primarily a thermal power equipment manufacturer, (and) developing an app, especially for financial transactions, is not its expertise. That is why it was proposed that Bhel collaborate with NPCI on this app," said another official. Payments will be a crucial part of Bhel's app, especially as consumers have complained about incomplete payments, network and software issues, and inactivity of EV charging management systems, the second official said, referring to publicly available networks run by private companies. 'Many consumers also complained about their money being stuck in these charging systems," the official said. 'India has over 25,000 public EV charging stations managed by more than 40 charging point operators, often requiring users to navigate multiple apps to locate, access, and pay for charging," said Akshay Parihar, associate director (energy transition), at Deloitte. 'The proposed Unified Charging Platform, like UPI, will allow EV users to seamlessly locate, book, and pay across any CPO through a single, integrated app. This initiative is expected to improve accessibility, boost charger utilization, and enable EV charger interoperability across India's growing EV ecosystem," he added. Bhel and NPCI did not reply to Mint's queries emailed last week. India's buzzing EV market While most electric vehicle users charge their vehicles at home, India had 26,367 public EV charging stations at the end of March, according to a Lok Sabha disclosure by the heavy industries ministry on 4 April. New electric vehicle sales rose to about 1.9 million in FY25 from 1.6 million in the year before, according to data from Vahan, the central government's motor vehicle registry. S&P Global said in its 'India's EV Market: Trends and Future Prospects' report published in March that it expects total electric passenger vehicle production in India to surge to about 1.33 million units by 2030, accounting for about 20% of the country's total passenger vehicle production. NPCI, which oversees retail payments and settlement systems in India, has developed several products including UPI for realtime bank transfers, the RuPay credit card network, and FASTag for digital toll collections. Bhel's proposed unified payment mechanism for public EV charging infrastructure would also help capture data for estimating the range of batteries in different vehicles, said the third official mentioned above. 'The payment cycle would help in gathering data regarding the requirement of charging for different kinds of vehicles and the range of their batteries. This data would give a sense of required charging efficiency, which would be key for future innovation in chargers and batteries," this official said. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity as Bhel's plan to approach NPCI is still at an early stage. Multiple initiatives and starting troubles The PM E-Drive scheme is the Union government's second programme to incentivise the rollout of a nationwide EV charging infrastructure—essential for encouraging more customers to buy electric vehicles. In the earlier EV incentive scheme—Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (and Hybrid) vehicles scheme (FAME)—the government allocated about ₹912 crore for installing EV charging stations across the country. It, however, disbursed only about ₹633 crore under the second edition of the FAME scheme, which ended in March last year. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd were tasked with setting up EV chargers across their fuel stations. According to a parliamentary disclosure in February, these oil marketing companies installed about 4,500 public EV charging stations under the FAME 2 scheme, but only 251 of those were 'energized", or made operational. 'In addition to this, OMCs have set up 20,035 EVCS at their retail outlets from their own funds," the government informed Parliament.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
South Punjab, at God's mercy
'The cattle and humans drink the same water,' says Mujahid Kaleem, a wildlife officer stationed in a stretch of the Cholistan desert near Rahim Yar Khan. He's referring to the tobas — traditional rainwater reservoirs that are a lifeline in this arid region. Kaleem gestures toward a nearby toba, where a herd of goats and buffaloes are drinking. Moments later, two young children approach the same spot and fill a bucket to take home. When asked whether the water is boiled before drinking, the reply is terse: 'No.' Waryam Maher, a resident of Cholistan, says that despite recent government initiatives to lay clean water pipelines, the efforts have largely fallen short. 'If it rains, we have water to drink. If it doesn't, there's none,' he says, adding that they rely on outside help to access clean water. For Maher and others like him, the message is clear: they and their families are deprived of basic necessities not by accident, but because they hold no value for those in power. There were just unlucky to be born in the desert, where there's nothing to profit from, so no one cares. The people of Cholistan may face the harshest neglect in South Punjab, but the outlook isn't much better for farmers in Rahim Yar Khan. Syed Mahmood ul Haq Bukhari, Chairman of the All Pakistan Farmers' Foundation, is visibly frustrated with the state of agriculture in Punjab. 'There has been severe damage to mangoes due to the extreme heat,' he says. 'Other crops, like cotton, have also suffered because of climate change.' If the public cannot rally around the plight of farmers, Bukhari argues, perhaps they'll take notice when mangoes begin disappearing from the markets. If losing mangoes or cotton may not seem life-threatening, when wheat and rice begin to vanish, the consequences could be catastrophic. 'The 'Bhel' crop once produced 15 million units. That number has now fallen to four million because of climate change,' Bukhari shares. He warns that 'there is no bigger issue in the world today than the changing climate,' but is quick to point out that poor governance is what makes its impact even deadlier for Pakistan's farmers. 'The government has no control over sugarcane crops. As a result, sugarcane farmers are completely exploited,' he adds. 'The sugar mill mafia sets prices as they please.' For Bukhari, poor governance compounds the devastation of climate change. He argues that countries like Pakistan must move beyond the habit of simply asking for international aid. 'We need to fix our corrupt systems first if we want to deal with the consequences of climate change and to deserve any aid,' he says. He points to a recent admission in parliament: 'the finance minister has openly stated that our five major crops are in decline.' What troubles him even more is the way this crisis is being framed. 'It amazes me that in my country, securing a large IMF loan is treated as good news,' he says bitterly. 'The government feeds the bureaucracy with that money and in turn, the bureaucracy crushes the people.' It's a grievance echoed by many in Pakistan. Water mismanagement Poor planning in Pakistan isn't limited to economic policy or agricultural regulation. It extends deeply into irrigation infrastructure. In May, a river breach in a canal near Rahim Yar Khan led to the flooding of 50,000 acres of farmland, according to a report published earlier by The Express Tribune. This isn't an isolated incident. An in-depth Vox explainer highlights how Pakistan's irrigation system, inherited and expanded from colonial-era designs, is inherently vulnerable to flooding. Traditionally, floodwaters would have drained naturally back into rivers through existing channels. But the British-era engineering — continued uncritically by Pakistan — introduced embankments that trap water at the brink. These reinforced structures may prevent minor flooding, but when a breach occurs — as seen during the devastating floods three years ago — the water collects in low-lying areas and has no natural route to flow back. The result is prolonged devastation, stagnant water, and ruined farmland. Inefficient resource allocation It is no secret now. Pakistan's population boom is out of control. Our population is growing at an alarming rate, estimated to cross 400 million in the span of a couple decades. Resources, at the same time, remain scarce. Increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns will make farming near impossible, significantly damaging a huge source of income for much of the population, and triggering food insecurity. Arif Ghufoor, a researcher at the Punjab government's Water and Soil Research Laboratory in Rahim Yar Khan, says that overuse of water and inefficient farming practices are two huge sources of waste. '[To this end] our department has launched an application called 'Khad Hisaab'(fertiliser accounting), to help farmers calculate their fertiliser requirements,' he shares. According to Ghufoor, farmers will often 'blindly' use large quantities of fertiliser. To tackle that challenge, the app helps farmers calculate the exact amount of fertiliser and water needed for specific crops based on soil conditions, crop type and their budget. The issue of over-fertilisation is alarming in itself. According to the Institute for Environmental Research and Education, excessive use of fertilisers can degrade soil quality, reduce biodiversity and release nitrous oxide, a dangerous greenhouse gas. It also contributes to widespread water pollution. One of the most damaging outcomes is 'eutrophication', a process where excess nutrients enter water bodies, depleting oxygen levels and creating 'dead zones' where aquatic life cannot survive. But according to Ghufoor, one of the biggest hurdles to reform isn't just policy, it's mindset. Despite efforts like the Khad Hisaab app, very few farmers in South Punjab are actually using it. 'There's a culture of arrogance among some farmers,' he says. 'Many believe they know best and don't need scientific advice.' He shares a personal example: some of the farmers in the area have known him since he was a child. They occasionally visit his lab, not to test their soil or water, but to seek help accessing government schemes like the Punjab chief minister's Kissan Card. 'They'll come for bureaucratic help, but never to ask for guidance on improving their farming,' he says. 'In their eyes, I'm still the kid who used to play in their laps, so what could I possibly know?' Arresting population growth One of the most effective ways for Pakistan to confront the twin crises of climate change and resource scarcity is by ensuring reproductive rights for women. Within South Asia, Bangladesh provides a compelling example of how this can work. When the two wings of the country separated, East Pakistan had a larger population than the West well into the decade. But Bangladesh's leadership recognised early on that population control was essential for economic progress. Through a combination of door-to-door outreach and mass media campaigns, they actively promoted smaller family sizes, making the case that fewer children meant greater prosperity. According to World Bank data, Bangladesh's fertility rate fell from 6.95 births per woman in 1970 to 2.06 by 2017. This demographic shift has played a major role in reducing poverty and improving economic outcomes. Today, Bangladesh is more economically stable and developed than Pakistan. A key reason such policies have not been effectively pursued in Pakistan is the fear of backlash from religious extremists, who vehemently oppose reproductive education and family planning. What's striking is that Bangladesh, too, is a Muslim-majority country yet it chose to prioritise national wellbeing over appeasing hardline voices. There is no possible pathway to solving these fundamental problems without prioritising scientific education in rural areas, promoting population control through mass media and door-to-door campaigning, and building more resilient infrastructure in the face of a deteriorating climate. Smartphone applications, and tweets about climate change by government officials, will not do the trick. The root problems—cultural arrogance and scientific illiteracy—continue to undermine well-intentioned interventions. Without a respect for the scientific method, even the best-designed tools are rendered ineffective. There is one major problem here: cultural arrogance, and scientific illiteracy. Although apps of this kind sound good in principle, they are wasted if there is little scientific literacy and a respect for the scientific method. As for the Cholistanis, there seems to be no long-term solution other than migration. Droughts will only worsen with time, killing their animals before killing them, and the chronic lack of compassion within the elites may not change without a spiritual reformation. Zain Haq is a freelance contributor All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author
Mint
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Bhel likely to be tendering agency for EV charging stations under PM E-drive
New Delhi: State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) may be nominated to lead the tendering process for 72,300 electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations under the ₹10,900-crore PM E-drive scheme, two people aware of the development said. 'With Bhel being the nodal agency for demand aggregation of EV charging stations, it is likely that it will also play a key role in tendering these charging stations to interested stakeholders," said the first of the two persons cited earlier, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. As the nodal agency, price discovery would be a key function of Bhel in its new role in India's evolving EV space, the second person said. Also read: EV vs hybrid war: All clean fuel-run vehicles are equal for the PMO Bhel's stock ended little changed at ₹253.55 on the BSE on Friday. This assumes importance as the PM E-drive scheme, the Centre's marquee scheme to incentivize green mobility for consumers, has allocated about a fifth of its outlay— ₹2,000 crore—to subsidize electric vehicle charging stations. Mint earlier reported about the heavy industries ministry working with the ministries of road transport and highways, civil aviation, and power to identify locations to set up these EV charging stations. PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-drive) scheme, with a financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore, came into effect on 1 October 2024 and will remain in force until 31 March 2026. Its main aim is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, establish charging infrastructure and build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Under the scheme, the government plans to incentivize charging stations for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses and trucks. These chargers need to have a minimum capacity of 12 kilowatt for electric two- and three-wheelers, 60 kilowatt for electric four-wheelers and 240 kilowatts for electric buses and trucks. The plan includes incentivizing 22,100 chargers for electric four-wheelers, 48,400 for electric two- and three-wheelers, and 1,800 for electric buses and trucks. Also read: Will India's unsafe e-rickshaws finally face the crash test? The heavy industries ministry on 21 May said in a press statement that Bhel is being considered as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and for the development of a unified digital super app that will serve as a single platform for EV users across India. 'The app will feature real-time slot booking, payment integration, charger availability status and progress dashboards for tracking national deployment under the PM E-Drive scheme. Bhel will also coordinate with states and ministries to compile and evaluate proposals for charger installations," the statement on 21 May said. Queries emailed to the ministry of heavy industries and Bhel on Friday remained unanswered till press time. According to the procedure for setting up EV chargers under the PM E-drive scheme, state governments as well as central ministries can submit a bid for EV charging stations to the heavy industries ministry after aggregating demand and conducting feasibility studies. This will be done by a nodal agency appointed by the state government or central ministry. Demand aggregation refers to gathering demand from stakeholders to determine the volume of EV charging stations that will be installed by states or by central ministries. As per guidelines for installation of EV charging stations, availability of land is a major concern. 'In addition to charger capex and the corresponding need for upstream infrastructure, one major component is land availability. Access to land and high land rentals present major hurdles in deploying charging infrastructure," said the guidelines. State governments and central ministries which seek to install charging stations 'may provide access to land at suitable locations for EV charging stations by coordinating with various stakeholders under their control", the guidelines said. This would incentivize charge-point operators and other stakeholders to install chargers in locations with high rents, according to the guidelines. State governments and central ministries should communicate their demand of EV charging points to the ministry of heavy industries for approval. After being approved, the nodal agency which gathered demand and conducted feasibility studies will begin the tendering process. As per the guidelines, the nodal agency appointed by the state government or central ministry can decide who will be the tender inviting authority (TIA). The nodal agency itself can also be the TIA, but can appoint any other agency on its behalf. The tender will include identified locations for EV charging stations, minimum charger configurations, available area and the bidding parameters to be followed. After successful bidding by charge-point operators and review by ministry of heavy industries, subsidy for charging stations will be disbursed in installments. Also read: E-buses under PM E-drive to be used now for intercity, tourist travel Under the PM E-drive scheme, the government will fund up to 80% of the upstream costs of setting up an EV charging station. But under special circumstances, the government may fund the full cost of a charging station, according to the guidelines. India's green mobility push has gained momentum, but continues to face hurdles related to EV charging infrastructure. 'The Electric Vehicle (EV) movement is gaining undeniable momentum, driven by consumer interest in sustainability and long-term cost benefits. Yet, barriers such as charging infrastructure, upfront costs and battery longevity continue to influence consumers," said Rajat Mahajan, partner and automotive sector leader, Deloitte India, in April at the launch of the 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study—India. The study showed that 36% of Indian consumers surveyed prioritized fast-charging for EVs.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Sonu Sood Shares Sweet Exchange With Bhel Puri Vendor In Tirupati
Sonu Sood, who is immensely loved for his humble nature, recently showcased his foodie side. During a visit to Tirupati, the actor indulged in one of India's most beloved street foods and even humorously revealed his endorsement fee for it. Known for his strict vegetarian diet and disciplined fitness routine, Sonu proved that even he could not resist the allure of a plate of delicious bhel puri. On Instagram, he shared a video capturing a candid conversation with a bhelpuri seller near the temple premises. In the clip, Sonu Sood says, "So we are today with Jyoti Yadav. Today we are in Tirupati. This is Jyoti Yadav," as he introduces her small bhelpuri stall. The actor then asks about the price of the bhel, and she tells him it's just Rs 30. He responds, "Very good, very good. Very well." Addressing his followers, the star adds, "This is Jyoti Yadav ji. She makes bhel here." Also Read: Sonu Sood Turns Chef, Makes Masala Dosa And Bhatura Too Sonu also learns that Jyoti Yadav has two sons and that she has been making bhel puri with them for over two and a half decades. Informing his Instagram community, Sonu shares, "So they are making it here in Tirupati. And all the people here always say that they run small-scale businesses. They should be supported so that their business can be good," adding, "It's been 25 years since they have been making Bhel in Tirupati." Finally, the actor tastes the snack and compliments the woman. Sharing the video, the actor hilariously mentioned his endorsement fee in the caption, writing, "Brand Endorsement Fee = 1 Packet Bhel." He also added the hashtag "support small business." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonu Sood (@sonu_sood) This isn't the first time Sonu Sood has expressed his love for street food delights. Offering a glimpse into his humanitarian spirit, the actor shared a video on Instagram documenting his visit to a street-side food stall in Chennai. The small-scale establishment is known for serving delicious South Indian dishes. In the clip, Sonu can be seen accompanied by his team, and he even tries his hand at making a dosa. Sharing the charming culinary experience with his Instagram community, he captioned the video: 'Meri Idli Sambar Ki Dukaan (My idli sambar shop).' Read on to know more.
