05082025-CT-01.qxd 05-08-2025 00:30 Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune CITY FOREST COVER UP BY 2.97 SQ KM IN FOUR YEARS MC STARTS 10-DAY ‘PLOGGING’ CAMPAIGN AT SEC 42 LAKE DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANOTHER SHOLAY, SAYS HEMA MALINI Increased from 22.03 sq km in 2019 to 25 sq km in 2023, MoS for Environment tells Lok Sabha. P3 The 10-day drive was launched by MC Commissioner Amit Kumar along with Senior Deputy Mayor. P3 The iconic film has completed 50 years of its release, marking a significant milestone in its cinematic journey.P4 » » FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE City leads in country’s electric mobility index Frontrunner in EV adoption, charging infra readiness, tech & innovation: NITI Aayog report WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Music performance: Tabla solo by Rahul Kumar Mishra at the 310th Monthly Baithak Programme of Pracheen Kala Kendra, August 11, 6:30 pm, Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35 APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, and Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sectors 68 and 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, August 4 Chandigarh has emerged as the leader in the electric vehicle (EV) adoption, charging infrastructure readiness and EV technology & innovation in the country, a NITI Aayog report has said. The NITI Aayog’s first India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), which assessed the performance across three themes of EV adoption, has also ranked Delhi and Maharashtra among the frontrunners in the country. In its report titled ‘India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2024’, the NITI Aayog evaluated all Indian states and Union Territories across 16 indicators under three core themes. According to the report, Chandigarh, Delhi and Maharashtra have emerged as frontrunners in the overall IEMI score, reflecting the robust ecosystems. In transport electrification, Delhi and Maharashtra are the frontrunners while Haryana, Karnataka, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh lead in charging infrastructure readiness, the report said. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana stand out as leaders in terms of EV 8,469 E-VEHICLES REGISTERED TILL JUNE ■ Of the total 8,469 e-vehicles registered in Chandigarh from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2025, as many as 5,442 are twowheelers while the remaining 3,027 were four-wheelers. The number of e-vehicles, including three-wheelers, registered in Chandigarh has crossed the 20,000-mark. This is, however, not even 2% (precisely 1.4%) of over 14.27-lakh petrol, diesel and CNG vehicles registered in the Union Territory, which has an estimated population of 13-lakh. << UT recently announced extension of incentive benefit to buyers of 1,500 more e-cars. FILE research and innovation. According to the report, currently 29 states and UTs in India have notified EV policies, with four in draft stage where policies drive localised action through targeted incentives, regulatory support and regionspecific strategies aligned with national goals. “India’s EV market saw a notable rise in 2024 with private vehicle adoption, of electric two-wheelers and cars, reaching 5.3 per cent with over 12 lakh EVs registered in 2024,” the NITI Aayog said, while reporting that as of December 2024, India has over 25,000 pub- Advanced semiconductor facility to come up at CSIO Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 4 The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here is setting up an advanced centre to design and manufacture next generation semiconductor devices and technologies, which will be the first-of-its-kind facility in the country. Named Opto Microelectronic Research Centre, it is envisioned as a key enabler of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). It aims to bolster the country’s capability in semiconductor design, packaging and limited-scale production, thereby supporting critical applications across defence, healthcare, telecommunications and automotive sectors. The foundation stone of the centre will be laid by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General, Mishap victim’s kin awarded ~15.48L The first-of-its-kind centre in the country will be a key enabler to chip mission Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, tomorrow. On the occasion, three indigenously developed and industry-ready technologies will also be unveiled under the CSIR Technology Transfer Commitments – 2030 initiative. These include advanced variants of the Head-Up Display (HUD) for frontline platforms such as intermediate jet trainer aircraft HJT-36, advanced jet trainer Hawk I-132, and figher aircraft SU-30 Mk-I, with development underway for the futuristic HUD Mk-II. These systems project critical flight and mission data directly into the pilot’s line of sight, enhancing combat efficiency, operational safety and mission success. The indigenous HUD program marks a major stride in self-reliant avionics and significantly contributes to national defence preparedness and technological sovereignty. Next is the Additive Manufactured Orthopaedic Implants that offer customisation tailored to the anatomical needs of patients for better clinical outcomes and postoperative recovery. Designed for complex trauma and reconstructive surgeries, these implants match international standards in performance while maintaining a high degree of affordability, making Continued on page 2 lic EV charging stations. To encourage people to switch to green mobility, Chandigarh has recently announced the extension of benefit of incentive to the buyers of 1,500 more electric cars in the city. The incentive given on purchase of electric cars was discontinued after the quota of first 2,000 cars fixed in the EV Policy had been exhausted in May this year. The buyers of the first 2,000 electric cars had availed of financial benefit in the range of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh each. Focusing on accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, strengthening the existing policy framework, and achieving the EV penetration target of 18% for the financial year 2025–26 in the city, the UT Administration has also announced insurance support for electric two-wheelers, enhanced subsidy on the purchase of electric two-wheelers besides offering additional benefit to women buyers of electric two-wheelers. Similarly, the incentive for electric bicycles has also been increased. In the policy, rolled out in September 2022, the Chandi- garh Administration has offered incentives in the range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2 lakh for the first 42,000 buyers of e-vehicles of all categories during the policy period of five years. Moreover, UT will also further expand the EV charging station network across all areas of Chandigarh, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all areas. EV craze picking up in city Amidst the rising vehicular population, which has surpassed the human count, giving Chandigarh the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita vehicle density in the country, the craze for electric vehicles is also picking up in the first planned city of India. Porsche, a Germany auto giant’s Taycan Turbo S priced Rs 2.53-crore is the costliest battery-operated light motor vehicle (LMV) registered in Chandigarh. So far, six electric high-end LMVs each worth over Rs 2 crore, 38 each priced above Rs 1 crore and below Rs 2-crore have been registered here. Chandigarh has registered 8,469 zero-emission vehicles since 2020 in a rather slow but steady rise in the number of e-vehicles. This is evident from the fact that from just 46 e-vehicles, including 35 four-wheelers and 11 two-wheelers, registered here on 2020, the yearto-year registrations went up from 245 in 2021 to 1,006 in 2022, 2,870 in 2023, 3,078 in 2024, and 1,224 battery-operated two and four-wheelers were registered in Chandigarh this year till June 30. Of the total 8,469 e-vehicles registered in Chandigarh from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2025, as many as 5,442 are two-wheelers while the remaining 3,027 were four-wheelers. Divine art UT again seeks bids for 2 nursing home sites Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 4 Having failed to find buyers for its leasehold properties in its earlier auction, the UT Estate Office has again invited bids for two nursing home sites in the city. Reserve price fixed at ~13.62 cr, ~18.72 cr The Estate Office had last month invited bids for the two sites but failed to find a single bidder. One site each for nursing homes was put up for sale in Sector 46 and Sector 51. The reserve price for the Sector 46 site was fixed at Rs 13.62 crore and Rs 18.72 crore for the other. The Estate Office has again started the process of submitting documents and depositing earnest money for both these sites and it will continue till August 21. Bidding will be held from August 26 to 28. Experts cited high reserve prices and leasehold nature of the properties as the reason for the unsuccessful auction last month. With the implementation of the revised collector rates from April 1, the reserve price for the nursing homes has increased. They said that buyers were not much interested in purchasing leasehold properties. Advocates stay off work in UT A man gives the final touches to eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idols at a Zirakpur workshop on Monday. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, beginning on August 27, will culminate with "Ganesh Visarjan" on September 6. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Chandigarh, August 4 Members of the District Bar Association, Chandigarh, abstained from work today in protest against the death of their colleague in Amritsar, who had suffered injuries in an attack recently. Ashok Chauhan, president of the Bar Association, said a meeting of the executive body was held wherein the matter regarding the state-level call given by the Amritsar Bar Association was discussed. The executive body unanimously decided to observe a “No work day” on Monday in view of the untimely demise of advocate Lakhwinder Singh, a member of the Amritsar Bar Association, who had sustained grievous injuries in a brutal attack recently. He said the association stood in solidarity with their Amritsar counterparts and demanded immediate arrest of the assailants. — TNS By 2047, India to have permanent human presence in space: Ex-ISRO chief Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 4 The Motor Accident Claim Tribunal here has directed the insurance company, owner and truck driver to pay Rs 15.48 lakh in compensation to the parents of 20-year-old Ravi Kumar who died in an accident three years ago. Baddi residents Mina Devi, mother, and Mukesh, father of the youth had filed a claim petition. On August 11, 2022, their son Ravi Kumar was riding pillion on a bike when a truck hit the motorcycle from behind near Haripur Sandoli vegetable market. He died in the hospital. The 20-year-old youth worked as a daily wager and earned Rs 20,000 per month, said the claimants. The insurance company, owner and truck driver claiming that there was no negligence on their part. MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.8°C | MIN 25.9°C SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5.45 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Tribune News Service RAIN SUNSET TUESDAY 7.13 PM » TUESDAY | 5 AUGUST 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Chandigarh, August 4 “Landing on the moon is not a pipe dream for India. We are working on it. By 2047, India aims to have a permanent human presence in space, a Bharatiya Antriksh Station in orbit, and indigenous missions exploring the moon, mars and beyond,” said the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) former Chairman and renowned space scientist Dr S Somanath here on Monday. In Chandigarh to deliver a thought-provoking lecture at the Panjab University (PU) Law Auditorium, as part of the PU Colloquium Series, he said, “We’re not just following global trends — we’re shaping them, with reusable launchers, electric propulsion and quantum-secure space communications.” PVT STAKEHOLDERS KEY PLAYERS: DR SOMANATH Dr S Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO, delivers a lecture at the Panjab University Colloquium Series in Chandigarh on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI (SEE ALSO P3) Dr Somanath, who is currently serving as Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and President-elect of the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), said India’s shift from a governmentfunded model to a stakehold- er-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovation, giving impetus to private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers, and data service providers. This expanding ecosystem is expected to gen- c m y b erate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation and global market participation, he said. Highlighting India’s transformational journey under the 2023 Indian Space Policy, which has opened the door to In his engaging lecture, Dr Somanath noted that India’s shift from a government-funded model to a stakeholder-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovation, with private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers, and data service providers gaining momentum. This expanding ecosystem, he argued, is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation, and global market participation. foreign direct investment and strengthened support for non-governmental entities, Dr Somanath spoke about the strategic and scientific priorities for India’s future in space, including its Mars and Venus missions, reusable launch vehicles, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035. “We’re not just following global trends. We are shaping them with reusable launchers, electric propulsion and quantum-secure space communications,” he said. The former ISRO chief called on the universities to actively participate in building a selfsustaining space research and industrial ecosystem. His talk, titled, “Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups”, focused on the growth of India’s space sector, the role of private enterprises, and the future of space entrepreneurship in the country. Referring to various problems being faced by farmers, Dr Somanath showcased how satellite-based technologies are now transforming farm- ing. He spoke about ISRO’s remote sensing applications for crop insurance, yield estimation and smart irrigation planning. Tools like the Krishi Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), SASYA automated crop classification using RISAT-1A data, and agrometeorological products derived from INSAT-3DR are already supporting lakhs of farmers across India. These technologies have been integrated into schemes like PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) for efficient claim assessment and smart sampling. He also highlighted the role of satellite data in tropical cyclone monitoring and prediction, forest fire alerts, and disaster management. “Platforms such as Bhuvan, the Indian Geo-Platform of Continued on page 2