Dana India has announced the completion of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Chakan, Pune. The initiatives aimed at improving road safety and infrastructure in accident-prone areas and reiterates Dana India’s vital role in promoting sustainable development and community safety, both in Maharashtra and across India. 

In an effort to lower the risk of accidents for over 3,600 residents and tourists, Dana India built 30 tall solar lighting at Chakan's Alandi Phata Chowk. This project is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, including Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Additionally, Dana India put up metal barriers and traffic safety signs in the industrial region of Chakan. Approximately 250,000 commuters are anticipated to benefit each day from these actions, which also support Goals 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. 

More than 300,000 individuals now have better road visibility and safety thanks to the installation of road divider railings at strategic locations like Endurance Chowk. This programme promotes Goal 3: Well-being and Good Health. Goal 7: Accessible and Sustainable Energy Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals and Goal 15: Life on Land. In order to significantly improve evening safety for an estimated 300,000 people, Dana India additionally installed street lighting in strategic areas across Endurance Chowk and the Chakan Industrial Area. These initiatives support both Goal 15: Life on Land and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

Gajanan Gandhe, Country Head and Vice President, Dana India, said, “These initiatives represent a significant step towards improving road safety and promoting sustainability in the Chakan community. At Dana India, we are committed to driving meaningful change and enhancing the quality of life for the people of Pune while supporting the global sustainability agenda.”

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The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has assessed the draft of the 2030 Charging Infrastructure Master Plan, calling for a coherent, cross-departmental 'Overall Charging Strategy' to accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure.

Hildegard Muller, President, VDA, said, “In order to further accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure for vehicles, increase user-friendliness and ensure charging prices, a cross-departmental 'Overall Charging Strategy' is necessary. Against this background, the VDA fundamentally assesses the draft of the 2030 Charging Infrastructure Master Plan as good.”

The VDA supports the draft's proposals to increase e-mobility through streamlined approval procedures, grid expansion, charging prices through transparency and a focus on charging infrastructure for trucks and buses on highways and at depots.

However, the association outlined areas requiring work:

• Multi-Unit Buildings: The VDA demands that the EU Building Directive requirements for charging infrastructure at parking spaces be implemented into law without delay. It stressed that the pooling of charging points across locations, as mentioned in the draft, would weaken EU requirements and must be rejected.
• Commercial Vehicles: While welcoming the commitment to expand the charging network for trucks, the VDA noted that the still inadequate availability of charging points represents an obstacle to the ramp-up of commercial vehicles and buses. It also stated that the draft fails to address the segment of light vehicles, demanding measures to support the development of charging infrastructure in urban areas.
• Power Grids and Taxation: The VDA highlighted that Germany's power grids are not equipped for the energy transition. It called for the expansion to be oriented towards demand and for a uniform, digital process for grid connection applications. Furthermore, the VDA demands that electricity tax, network charges and concession fees be eliminated when energy is fed back into the supply network (vehicle-to-grid) to establish bidirectional charging.
• Charging Prices: The VDA reiterated that charging prices are necessary for the market ramp-up of e-mobility. It called for the electricity tax for e-mobility to be reduced to make charging electricity less expensive, noting that the draft 'falls short of the coalition agreement' on this point.

The VDA also urged the government to advocate for targets in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) at the level, stating that the AFIR targets are not to the market ramp-up of e-mobility in Europe.

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HERE Technologies, a provider of location data and technology platforms, has announced its collaboration with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as the ‘Official Navigation on Autopilot and Localisation Partner’ for The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Show. The event is organised by Aayera in collaboration with ARAI and MarketsandMarkets.

This partnership is taking place at the newly opened ADAS Test City near Pune, Maharashtra, which is touted as India’s first testing ground for ADAS and autonomous vehicle technologies.

The collaboration supports HERE Technologies' aim to speed up India’s progress towards intelligent transport and connected mobility. By combining HERE’s expertise in high-precision mapping, real-time localisation and connected vehicle data platforms with ARAI’s research and standards work, the partnership aims to bring ADAS and autonomous technologies closer to deployment under Indian driving conditions.

“We’re honoured to partner with ARAI on this transformative initiative. The ADAS Test City is a cornerstone in India’s path toward intelligent mobility and HERE’s high-definition maps and localisation technologies are key enablers of safe, reliable and context-aware driving experiences. Together with ARAI, we aim to empower automakers, tier-1s and developers to localise, test and scale ADAS capabilities that truly reflect India’s diverse road ecosystem,” stated HERE Technologies in a statement.

At The ADAS Show, HERE Technologies will present its innovations, including live demonstrations of its real-time localisation and HD mapping systems during ADAS track demos at the Test City. Visitors can explore HERE’s capabilities, such as HERE HD Live Map and HERE ISA Map, C-V2X, and cloud-based localisation. HERE experts will also participate in discussions on navigation accuracy, vehicle localisation and connected mobility.

The ADAS Test City, developed by ARAI, is an integrated testing environment dedicated to the validation of ADAS and autonomous technologies. It replicates complex urban and highway conditions for testing safety features. The ADAS Show 2025, organised in collaboration with ARAI, is a platform for automotive leaders and innovators.

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Tata Motors, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has added another feather to its cap, bagging two Red Dot Design Awards for the Avinya X Concept and Sierra Concept models. Martin Uhlarik led the in-house design for both models.  

The Red Dot Design Award, which was established in 1955, assesses design quality across three categories: Product Design, Brands & Communication Design and Design Concept. The competition has operated for nearly 70 years under the current brand structure developed in the 1990s by Red Dot CEO Professor Dr Peter Zec.

The Avinya X Concept first showcased at Bharat Mobility 2025 was recognised for its innovation through its design, stance and proportions. The vehicle features technologies such as matrix LED lighting, aero enhancements and wheels, which boost efficiency and emphasise its elegance. Its silhouette and enclosed surfaces balance strength, power and off-road capability while offering cabin space.

The interior is designed to rejuvenate mind and body, blending craftsmanship with wellness. Cabin details include fabric-wrapped soundbars, aroma diffusers and lounge-style rear seating. The dashboard integrates technology, providing information while minimising distractions for a driving experience. The Samudra exterior colour, paired with protective accents and detailing, enhances the concept's presence. The rear interior, crafted from materials, offers a lounge-like experience.

On the other hand, the revived Sierra design captures the charm of the original while embracing sophistication, balancing nostalgia with elegance. The rear glass has been reimagined as a combination of a finisher along the roofline and a panoramic sunroof to recreate the illusion of glass. This design gives the concept a roof appearance while meeting safety standards.

The exterior features surfaces that convey confidence and elegance. Haunches and a shoulder line contribute to a stance, reflecting the vehicle’s character. The rear is designed to express width and stability, with a tailgate that reinforces the stance. This design enables taillights. A D-pillar enhances the roof effect, creating continuity and flow.

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A traffic management initiative, undertaken by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) for Gurugram Traffic Police and supported by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), aims to improve traffic management across 22 major intersections in Gurugram.

A scientific audit for these 22 intersections was completed by the Traffic Engineering Centre (TEC) and Organisation Development Centre (ODC), established by IRTE for the Gurugram police. Work to improve traffic management at two intersections, Rajiv Chowk and Shankar Chowk, has begun.

Dr Rohit Baluja, President, IRTE, said, “The Traffic Engineering Centre (TEC) has been designed to scientifically audit develop sustainable traffic management system for Gurugram under the aegis of the Gurugram Traffic Police, where IRTE's Road Safety Engineers observe traffic movement, violations, and behavioural issues of vulnerable road users, along with studying the causative factors related to congestion. These will be monitored and analysed through camera inputs of 218 junctions with the valuable support of the ICCC Gurugram.”

Under the Easy roads project, the IRTE team provided support to the Gurugram Traffic Police for:

• Conducting safety and traffic engineering audits across 22 major junctions and intersections.
• Reviewing and improving 15 km of key road stretches prone to congestion and risk.
• Rectifying identified blackspots to reduce accident occurrences.
• Developing safety and traffic management measures for school zones.
• Conducting feasibility studies on stakeholder proposals related to road safety and mobility.

Vikas Arora, Commissioner, Gurugram Police, said, “In coming days Gurugram police will increase enforcement by deploying 10-15 officers at each traffic violation spot across the city for a week to challan and stop violations. The Gurugram police has also increased challans for drunk driving as 30,000 challans were issued in a year as compared to 4000 in previous year. 32 black spots have been recognized in Gurugram and are being rectified by improving road engineering and signages”.

Saurabh S. Shrama, of Hyundai Motor India, said, “This initiative marks a significant step toward a data-driven and scientific approach to traffic management. Through collaboration with enforcement agencies and the application of forensic methodologies, we can ensure more sustainable and effective road safety interventions.”

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