In a joint effort to improve road safety, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) and the SaveLIFE Foundation have successfully completed a two-year project on a high-risk section of National Highway 19 in Uttar Pradesh.

The initiative, named ‘Surakshit Sadkein, Surakshit Bharat’ (Safe Roads, Safe India), has resulted in a 7.5 percent reduction in road crash fatalities on the Agra–Etawah–Chakeri corridor since its launch in November 2022.

The program benefited over 720,000 commuters and focused on a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to road safety, addressing four key areas:

Engineering: Over 7,000 engineering hazards were fixed, with the addition of crash barriers, speed-calming measures and improved pedestrian facilities.

Enforcement: Electronic enforcement tools and new signage were deployed to improve traffic management.

Emergency Care: More than 300 first responders were trained in Basic Trauma Life Support.

Education: Awareness campaigns, including billboards and local outreach, reached a wide audience and commercial vehicle drivers received training in anticipatory driving.

This project was a collaboration with several government bodies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Uttar Pradesh Police. The partners hope this successful model can be replicated in other high-risk areas across the country.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, SAVWIPL, said, “For us, progress in the automotive sector is as much about building safer communities as it is about innovation. The Group takes safety seriously – our Made-in-India models have achieved full 5-star safety ratings, and we are committed to extending that safety beyond our cars to the roads we share. The NH 19 Zero Fatality Corridor with SaveLIFE Foundation shows that when engineering, enforcement, training, and awareness come together, lives are saved. This measurable impact strengthens our vision of a self-reliant India, where independence also means the freedom to travel without fear.”

This is the second Vision Zero Fatality Corridor project supported by SAVWIPL, following the Mumbai–Pune Highway initiative, which achieved a 61 percent reduction in fatalities.

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The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has virtually inaugurated the Mahindra Tractors Skill Development Centre in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.

The initiative is a major effort to empower rural youth by providing them with industry-relevant skills and opening up new employment opportunities in the region.

The new centre was established by Mahindra Tractors, India’s leading tractor brand, at the Government ITI college in Gadchiroli. It is a collaborative effort with the Department of Vocational Education & Training (DVET) and the Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), aligning with the national and state focus on skill development.

The centre will focus on giving the local youth industry-ready skills by providing a structured curriculum, modern technical equipment and hands-on experience in various aspects of tractor and farm machinery. The programme aims to boost local livelihoods by creating career opportunities in the ecosystem, including assembly roles at manufacturing plants and service positions at dealerships.

Veejay Nakra, President – Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “We at Mahindra are deeply honoured that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mahindra Tractor Skill Development Centre in Gadchiroli. Maharashtra is not just a leading industrial centre, but a state that is deeply connected to the Farm Sectors growth journey. It is a matter of great pride for us to partner with the Government of Maharashtra, creating a future where our rural communities are uplifted by cultivating skills and harvesting hope.”

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As a key contributor to India’s rail modernisation, Pinnacle Industries has been selected as the official partner by Indian Railways to design and manufacture the sleeper berths and executive seating for the new Amrit Bharat Express. This partnership aligns with the train's role as a transformative, high-speed and affordable option for long-distance travel across the country.

The seating solutions developed by Pinnacle are the result of extensive ergonomic engineering, created to provide superior comfort, safety and longevity. They are specifically optimised to perform reliably in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches. A primary focus has been placed on passenger well-being for extended journeys, achieved through enhanced cushion thickness in both seats and berths. The design also incorporates refined aesthetics with improved colour schemes and features like aluminium extrusions for the upper berths.

Safety is a critical component of the design, which includes specialised anti-injury fittings integrated into the seats and berths to minimise potential risks. Furthermore, all materials fully comply with the stringent fire safety standard EN45545-2 HL3, meeting Indian Railways' rigorous requirements for fire-retardant properties. Leveraging decades of expertise in mobility interiors, this project reinforces Pinnacle Industries' position at the forefront of developing world-class transportation solutions for India.

Arihant Mehta, President, Pinnacle Industries, said, “We are honoured to be a part of this visionary initiative by Indian Railways. Our seating solutions for the Amrit Bharat Express reflect our commitment to designing products that combine comfort, safety and innovation while being proudly Made in India. With this, we continue to drive India’s vision of modern, accessible and reliable public transport.”

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The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), held its 26th annual convention today to address the urgent need for road safety and a transition to green mobility. Held at Bharat Mandapam, the event, themed ‘Together for Safe Roads and Green Mobility: Building a Sustainable India,’ brought together government officials, industry leaders and experts.

Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was the Chief Guest and emphasised that accidents are a result of driver behaviour, not vehicles. "We must shed the mindset that breaking rules is a badge of pride," she said.

She also highlighted Delhi's commitment to clean mobility, with a goal of electrifying 100 percent of its public transport by 2026. The Chief Minister also launched SAFE's new Road Safety Context Paper and a new initiative to involve college students in road safety.

In a video message, H D Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, noted that the government has invested over INR 600 billion to boost domestic manufacturing and support clean energy adoption.

Sushant Naik, President of SAFE, stressed that safety must be a core part of design and manufacturing. "Over 173,000 lives are lost each year, a stark reminder that action should be urgent and collective," he said. He emphasised that road safety requires the collaboration of the five ‘Es: Education, Engineering, Emergency Care, Enforcement and Evaluation’.

Speakers, including Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), highlighted the need for a comprehensive accident database and a unified system to link driver licensing, vehicle registration and enforcement.

Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, pointed out that accidents rose in 2023 despite a goal to halve them, calling for stricter electronic enforcement to curb reckless driving.

Ajay Chaudhry, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) of the Delhi Police, noted that while the city has cut accident fatalities by 8 percent, speeding and violations remain a serious problem and he called for ‘zero leniency.’

The convention featured two plenary sessions focusing on ‘Education and Engineering’ and ‘Enforcement, Emergency Care and Evaluation.’ These sessions covered topics like promoting responsible driving, designing safer infrastructure and the importance of a swift emergency response to reduce accidents and save lives.

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Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the Electric Vehicle (EV) Zone at the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) 89th General Meeting in New Delhi on 15 September 2025. The exhibition, hosted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), runs until 19 September at Bharat Mandapam.

The EV Zone, organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), showcases the country's progress in electric mobility. Goyal toured the pavilion, which features 31 production-ready electric vehicles from 14 major manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and JSW MG Motor.

During the event, Minister Goyal emphasised that sustainability is a core pillar of India's growth strategy. He highlighted the importance of high-quality standards in protecting consumers and boosting the competitiveness of Indian-made products on the global stage. He also stated that ‘Design in India, Made in India’ products would soon be recognized globally for their reliability and excellence.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, expressed appreciation for the government's vision, noting that the automotive industry is committed to this journey. The IEC GM 2025 has brought together over 2,000 global experts from more than 100 countries to discuss international standards, with the exhibition also featuring advancements in smart lighting, electronics, and IT manufacturing.

SIAM’s participation is part of its commitment to sustainable mobility and achieving India's Net Zero targets by 2070. Visitors to the EV Zone can also take a ‘Digital Sustainability Pledge,’ with BIS planting a sapling for each pledge made.

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