Business & Economy – Page 6

KARNATAKA: TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: AI IMPLEMENTED: Bengaluru introduces AI traffic management systems across 41 junctions: Report

Bengaluru has implemented an AI-driven Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 41 junctions, reducing the need for manual traffic management.

Motorists in Bengaluru are set to see a reduction in traffic police manually managing intersections and adjusting signal lights due to a new technological upgrade. The city has introduced an advanced AI-powered Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS), which has been implemented at 41 junctions, automating traffic signal operations in real-time, the Deccan Herald reported.

This upgrade is part of Bengaluru’s broader initiative to fully automate its traffic control systems, reducing the need for human intervention and aiming for more efficient traffic management. Among the 41 junctions now equipped with the ATCS, seven have received entirely new signal systems, while 34 others have been modernized from older camera-based models, the report noted.

By the end of December, Bengaluru is expected to have 165 junctions operating with these state-of-the-art AI-driven signals. This expansion includes 136 upgraded junctions and 29 newly installed systems, focusing mainly on areas in the southern and western regions of the city, which are less affected by major construction projects, according to MN Anucheth, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who spoke to the publication.

The new ATCS signals offer three operational modes: a manual override mode for emergency scenarios such as ambulance or VIP passage; a Vehicle Actuated Control (VAC) mode that utilizes computer vision technology to monitor and adjust traffic light timings based on real-time vehicle counts; and the ATCS mode, which coordinates signals across multiple intersections for improved traffic flow, the publication said.

Initial implementations of this system have been observed on KR Road, Rose Garden Road, and Hudson Circle, where the VAC mode is now operational. Key junctions now featuring the ATCS include NR Square Junction, Town Hall Junction, BMTC Junction on KH Road, Minerva Circle, and RV Teachers College.

As of September, Bengaluru has approximately 900 junctions managed manually by traffic personnel, with around 405 equipped with signal systems. By year-end, the city expects to surpass 500 signalized junctions, including the new ATCS installations and additional adaptive signals, the publication added.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: FIRST IN INDIA: Bengaluru’s electricity body first in India to allow payment for EV charging via WhatsApp

The new interface to EV Mithra app will provide a seamless charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) users, said the Managing Director of BESCOM.

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has introduced the ability to start and pay for EV charging sessions via Whatsapp.

BESCOM has also launched an innovative AI-based customer support bot called https://ev.bot powered by Pulse Energy, said a press statement from the company on Tuesday.

The new interface to EV Mithra app will provide a seamless charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) users, said Mahantesh Bilagi, Managing Director, BESCOM.

“As the nodal agency for developing EV charging infrastructure in Karnataka, BESCOM is committed to expanding our network and improving the management of charging stations. The new interface of the ‘EV Mithra’ app is a step in that direction, and it’s encouraging to see over 15,000 downloads already. We invite all EV users to take advantage of this enhanced experience,” said Bilagi.

The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and is available in nine languages, including Kannada.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: LITHIUM RESOURCES: Indian minister reveals discovery of lithium resources in Karnataka state

AMD has established 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) of Lithium resources in the Marlagalla area, Mandya district.

Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, said that lithium deposits have been found in the southwest state of Karnataka, a government press release mentioned.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (Jul 25), the minister stated that the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which is a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has found the presence of lithium resources in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of the state.

Singh informed that AMD has established 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) of lithium resources in the Marlagalla area, Mandya district.

The minister also said that preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration have been carried out in the Yadgiri district to know about the deposits.

Lithium is mostly used in rechargeable batteries for electric cars, laptops, digital cameras and cell phones. Certain non-rechargeable batteries for devices like toys, heart pacemakers and clocks also include lithium.

While highlighting the presence of lithium reserves, Singh said that AMD has also been exploring lithium in the potential geological domains in parts of Korba District in Chhattisgarh.

He added that, however, the major mica belts located in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and Pegmatite Belts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are the potential geological domains in the country for lithium resources.

Singh shared that a preliminary survey carried out recently by AMD in Himachal Pradesh has led to the identification of surface uranium occurrence in Masanbal, Hamirpur district.

However, he categorically mentioned that the Atomic Energy Commission has not conducted any study to establish an atomic energy plant in the north Indian state.

Singh said that although several small modular reactor designs and technologies released by overseas vendors and nations are being examined to obtain technical specifics, no proposal to work with foreign vendors or nations is being considered at this time.

He further mentioned that the Indian and Russian governments have expressed interest in expanding the cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including cooperation in the field of Small Modular Reactor.

(With inputs from agencies)

source/content: wionews.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AVIATION HUB : Air India commences construction of mega MRO facility in Bengaluru

This will strengthen the Base and Line Maintenance facilities across the network to achieve self-reliance in fleet maintenance

Air India Group has announced the commencement of construction of a mega Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, at a groundbreaking ceremony in Bengaluru, reiterating its commitment to building a strong self-reliant aviation ecosystem for India.

The upcoming MRO facility, being built on a 35-acre land parcel at the Bangalore International Airport will become an important hub for Air India group airlines’ aircraft maintenance operations in the region, as the airline modernizes its fleet and expands its global operations.

Earlier this year, Air India had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish MRO facilities in Bengaluru. Air India has also signed an agreement with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) to be its strategic partner for the development of this MRO facility.

Once completed, the MRO is expected to generate over 1,200 new job opportunities for skilled aviation engineers in India, and support over 200 SMEs in Karnataka through an enhanced supply chain. These new ventures are projected to create further employment opportunities, strengthening the MRO ecosystem in the state. The MRO will also support Air India’s plans to make Bengaluru as one of its key hubs, boosting direct connectivity to global destinations.

The upcoming MRO will feature a mega hangar to accommodate wide body and narrow body aircraft under a single roof for Base Maintenance. The facility’s capacity will be further expanded to include additional hangars for servicing more aircraft, including paint hangar. Equipped with latest aircraft maintenance technology, including overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in the country, this MRO facility will be setting a new standard in aviation maintenance at par with any MRO in the world.

The Bengaluru MRO facility, expansion of in-housed Line Maintenance (routine maintenance of aircraft in operation) facilities across the network, and the recently refurbished wide body aircraft hangar in Mumbai, will make Air India more self-reliant in the maintenance of its entire fleet from 2025.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Chin Yau Seng, CEO, SIA Engineering Company, along with a senior leadership team of India leadership.

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, said, “It is heartening to see the quick turnaround that Air India has made in starting work for the MRO. This is not only a milestone for Indian aviation, which is growing at a rapid pace, but also for the state of Karnataka, which is taking a lead in the aviation sector with Bengaluru set to emerge as an important global aviation hub in the coming years.”

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in this. The Bengaluru MRO facility is coming up at an opportune time to help strengthen India’s aviation ecosystem, while enhancing our in-house capabilities to maintain our fleet. This is a step ahead in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline.”

Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said, “As we work towards developing the Airport into a major aviation hub, this marks an important step towards strengthening the fleet maintenance capabilities and infrastructure offering. This development will not only enhance regional connectivity and drive economic growth but also create valuable opportunities for local talent and businesses, reinforcing Bengaluru’s position as an important player in the aviation ecosystem.”

Air India also plans to build a new wide body hangar in Delhi to cater to Line Maintenance requirements. This will help develop a complete maintenance ecosystem at all major airports. Air India is also ensuring availability of trained type-rated personnel for maintenance function of different type of fleet by obtaining approval for CAR-147 for its training academy.

Besides, Air India plans to open a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in 2025, in Bengaluru, to ensure continuous inflow of trained personnel for aircraft maintenance and engineering activities. This will create opportunities for engineering students to receive training to become type-rated engineer for certification.

source/content: traveltrendstoday.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL: KARNATAKA / ROAD TRANSPORT: Germany’s FlixBus expands to South India, offers Rs 99 fares from Bengaluru for intercity routes

FlixBus to commence operations in South India on September 10.

FlixBus India will connect a total of 101 cities and 215 stops nationwide.

Germany-based travel-tech firm FlixBus India announced its expansion into South India on September 3. The company will begin operations on September 10, offering services from Bengaluru to Chennai and Hyderabad.

Subsequently, services will be extended to Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Belagavi.

FlixBus has partnered with six bus operators so far, and plans to expand further by adding 33 cities across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala and more than 200 connections throughout South India. FlixBus India will connect a total of 101 cities and 215 stops nationwide.

As part of its Bengaluru launch, FlixBus also announced a special promotional fare of Rs 99. “This offer is exclusively available for the new routes launched around Bengaluru, with the booking period running from September 3 to September 15 and the departure period spanning from September 10 to October 6,” said a statement from FlixBus.

Karnataka Minister for Commerce & Industries, Infrastructure MB Patil, global FlixBus leaders Max Zeumer, COO, and Daniel Krauss, Co-founder, were present at the launch.

Patil said, “We welcome FlixBus not only as a foreign investor in Karnataka but also as a partner in our journey toward sustainability.”

Surya Khurana, Managing Director of FlixBus India, said, “After the success of our operations in North India, expanding to South India is the next step in our journey to revolutionise intercity travel”,

“In South India, FlixBus will continue its strategic collaboration with local bus operators, employing its proprietary technology platform to enhance business operations. Through network planning, revenue management, and yield optimization, FlixBus ensures an efficient and seamless travel experience for both passengers and operators, committing to quality, safety, and exceptional customer service,” the company stated.

“These standardized buses, equipped with BS6 engines, adhere to stringent emission norms, significantly reducing pollutants and reinforcing FlixBus’s dedication to environmental sustainability. Each bus is outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities, including ABS (anti-lock braking system), ESC (electronic stability control), and 2-point seat belts for all seats, ensuring the highest level of passenger safety and comfort”, it adds.

source/content: moneycontrol.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) : SAC/ISRO, Ahmedabad and AlphaMERS Ltd. Bengaluru Sign MOU

Remote Sensing and AI for marine plastic and oil pollution

Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad and AlphaMERS Ltd. Bengaluru signed an MOU on 4th July 2024 with the broad objective of bringing the resources of both the parties together, to develop and fine tune a robust model of Artificial Intelligence, to identify and profile marine pollution, including macro plastics and oil spills, using remote sensing, along the coastal waters of India.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)

source/content: ptinews.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: C V Raman’s tablas, explosives used in World War I: Bengaluru’s Sci560 exhibition showcases city’s scientific heritage

Karnataka Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju inaugurated Sci560 at Science Gallery Bengaluru on August 24.

Science Gallery Bengaluru began an exhibition at its Bellary Road premises to showcase the city’s science history. The exhibition named Sci560, after the city’s PIN code of 560, was inaugurated by Karnataka Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju. Other prominent guests at the event included Rohini Nilekani and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who sit on the Gallery’s board, and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi.

The exhibition spans a broad and varied cross-section of the city’s scientific history. For instance, the nearly two-century-old tradition of brewing is represented by an ongoing fermentation process from Scoby Labs, in the form of a container of kombucha that visitors can taste at different points in its fermentation. A couple of rooms over is a Bangalore torpedo contributed by the Madras Engineer Group. These long explosive devices were developed in World War I to remove battlefield obstructions such as barbed wire fortifications.

Other interesting exhibits are a set of tablas owned by Sir CV Raman, sitting a few feet away from a set of ‘Simputers,’ touch-screen devices developed in the early 2000s that heralded the upcoming smartphone age. Nature lovers will also be glad to see a display titled ‘Wingbeats and Warbles’, matching the sounds of birds to the parts of the city where they are likely to be heard.

According to Gallery director Jahnavi Phalkey, this exhibition is the first one at the Gallery to lean more towards the historical side, with the hope that more additions can be made as it goes on. She said, “There are many people that know far more than we do about science in this city….we have a project called Recollect, where my colleagues will be collecting stories, objects, etc. And at the end of the exhibition, we will have this entire collection of stories, objects and documents that will allow us to present a more comprehensive story of what science is in the city.”

Speaking to the media on the inauguration day, Nilekani said, “We needed some way to bring the city and its institutions close. Even people just coming to Bangalore need to feel like they are part of what is happening. This is about fostering a culture of scientific exploration along with ordinary citizens.”

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: PROJECT DIGITISATION: Close to 12,000 books digitised in Bengaluru for All India Gandhi Library project

The collection, assembled over three months and spanning 12 languages, includes Mahatma Gandhi’s collected works, publications such as Harijan and Young India and audio recordings.

The Servants of Knowledge, a non-profit group, has announced that 11,720 books from the library of Bengaluru’s Gandhi Bhavan have been digitised as part of the All India Gandhi Library project.

The group announced this at the valedictory session of a seminar held on Sunday to mark the 75th year of the Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi Organisation.

According to a statement by the non-profit group, Gandhi Bhavan had already made 1,272 books publicly available online. The freshly digitised collection, assembled over three months and spanning 12 languages, includes the collected works of Mahatma Gandhi, his publications such as Harijan and Young India and audio recordings of him speaking on All India Radio.

The digitised libraries have been presented to 12 Gandhian organisations.

Among the speakers at the seminar was American public domain information advocate Carl Malamud, who is also part of Servants of Knowledge and the founder of the US-based Public.Resource.Org.

“For the last several months, we have been digitising every book here at the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi libraries. Today we are presenting all of those books in digital format to the organisations here, making them the trustees of this knowledge….this is the first release of the All India Gandhi Library. We have offered to digitise at no cost additional Gandhi materials these organisations may possess to add to the collection. We have already assisted the Gandhi Smaraka Nidhis of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and we welcome additional materials…..as we say ‘scanning is the new spinning’,” he said at the seminar.

Explaining the digitisation process, Malamud told indianexpress.com later, “We make the scanners and frames here in India and have 17 scanners here at Gandhi Bhavan and can scan 15 lakh pages every month… Once you get good at it, you can do 500 pages in an hour. After the scan, a post-process happens where you crop the pages, de-skew it, run optical character recognition and create a PDF file—a whole chain of processes.”

Explaining the challenges of working with old books in general, Malamud added, “If the material is truly fragile, we work with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) and they help us conserve the books. The same goes with fragile palm leaves. We’re careful while turning the pages with older books, but if the book is going to disintegrate we have it go through the conservation process.”

About some other work done by the Servants of Knowledge, Malamud said, “Om Shivaprakash (another archivist with the Servants of Knowledge) has been instrumental in finding old Kannada books and gotten permission to digitise old Kannada magazines from publishers…. We’re also working on Lalbagh right now and digitising their library of 6,000 books and digitising old and rare prints. There are all sorts of materials that are on the internet for the first time and that is something we’re particularly proud of.”

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATKA: BUSINESS & FINANCE: INDIA’S FIRST: IIM Bangalore announces India’s first ‘Global Centre of Excellence on Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC)

As the private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) landscape in India continues to grow, IIM Bangalore on Saturday announced to set up country’s first global centre on PE-VC.

Professor U Dinesh Kumar, Dean, Faculty at IIM Bangalore signed an MoU with Mathew Cyriac, Executive Chairman, Florintree Advisors Pvt Ltd, to set up the Tony James Centre for Private Equity and Venture Capital.

Named after the legendary investment banker Tony James, the Centre aims to be a global thought leader for research in matters relating to the PE and VC landscape.

Cyriac is contributing Rs 17.5 crore towards the centre. “This is the single largest-ever contribution from an alumnus and we are grateful to Mathew not just for his generous support but for his extreme thoughtfulness in contributing to the naming of four classrooms on campus after faculty who taught his batch,” said Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore.

Cyriac said he expects the Centre “to emerge as a globally reputed ‘go-to’ place for all players interested in private equity as well as venture capital.”

The Centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, education and industry collaboration in the field of PE-VC, where students will connect with industry leaders, gain hands-on insights, and explore the latest trends in the sector.

James has watched the Indian PE landscape flourish. He said that private equity is a strong contributor to the vibrant Indian economy.

The opening of the Centre comes at a time when foreign investment in the country is booming across sectors, riding on the country’s robust domestic macros.

VC investment in the country surged to $4 billion in the April-June period (Q2 2024), from $2.9 billion in the previous quarter. VC investment is expected to continue to pick up in India, driven in part by the country’s stable government and positive economic environment, according to a latest KPMG report.

India Inc saw impressive 195 deals worth $8.4 billion in July, a 16 per cent jump in volumes. PE deal activity continued to lead the volumes for the month, contributing to 57 per cent of the overall volumes, according to ‘Grant Thornton Bharat Dealtracker’.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: EDUCATION – TOP SPOT: IISc Bengaluru Wins Top Spot in NIRF India Rankings 2024: Check Out Top 10 Universities

Summary

The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the ninth edition of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 Rankings on August 12, providing a detailed evaluation of India’s top universities.

The NIRF framework assesses institutions based on several critical parameters

NIRF Rankings 2024 Top 10 Universities in India

The NIRF framework assesses institutions based on several critical parameters, including Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), and Peer Perception.

The NIRF Rankings serve as a valuable tool for students, educators, and institutions, highlighting achievements and areas for improvement and driving continuous development across India’s higher education landscape.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)