In August 2019 The Karnataka High Court directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike- BBMP to award damages to victims of road accidents back in July. This was in response to PIL filed by Citizens Action Forum that sought to move the court to give compensation to those who were adversely affected by the condition of bad roads.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and comprising of Justice PM Nawaz observed that tax-paying citizens are at a high risk of getting injured due to the bad condition of roads. Prior to the judgment, victims had to move the court to seek compensation.

In order to avoid going to court over the issue, the judges held that any aggrieved party can directly approach the civic body for compensation.

The court also said that the BBMP would be liable to pay compensation to victims or their families who incur losses due to these hazardous roads.

“The scope of Article 21 has been expanded by the Supreme Court. Every citizen has a right to a meaningful and dignified life and good roads are absolutely necessary. Ensuring pothole-free roads is a legal and constitutional obligation of the BBMP,” Justice Oka observed.

On the same lines, Belagavi has bad roads and many have lost life due to bad roads by City corporation and even by Belagavi Smart city ltd.
So aren’t we the citizens of Belagavi also eligible for such compensation?

Source and inputs: thenewsminute.com & DeccanHerald

The fourth edition of the Belagavi Half Marathon will be conducted at CPED Grounds in Belagavi on Sunday, December 5 adhering to the Covid protocols. The run is being organized by the Lakeview Foundation and Rotary Club of Venugram.

Against the backdrop of the volatile Covid situation, the event organizers are initiating stringent measures to ensure that all the participants in the event followed the Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).

According to the organizers, the participants will be allotted time-slots separately to avoid getting huddled up during the event. It has been made mandatory for all runners to be fully vaccinated to enrol for the run and that all the runners from the states other than Karnataka will have to compulsorily furnish RT-PCR negative reports.

To ensure social distancing, a group of five runners will be flagged off at a time with 10-second interval. To avoid prize distribution programs, the organisers will be sending the finisher-badge to the participants directly to their phones. Dr Shashikant Kulgod of Lakeview Foundation said that “ We are conducting the marathon for the health and fitness of the people of Belagavi without breaching the norms. All the measures ensuring Covid appropriate behavior will be maintained during the event.”

President of the Rotary Club of Venugram Arvind Khadbadi said that as a precaution the FunRun involving children has been postponed. Thus, all measures for the safety of the participants have been initiated, he said.

Race Director Venkatraman said as he is the country’s only Covid Certified sports director, he needs to ascertain the intensity of the event and also ensure that Covid Appropriate Behaviour is observed strictly. The event aims to raise charity for building toilets in schools identified by the Rotary Club of Venugram and registrations are still taking place for it under the charity quota. For more information contact support@youtoocanrun.com or contact 9920142195.

The State Secretariat Employees’ Association has appealed to Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri to cancel the scheduled legislature session at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha at Belagavi from December 13 sighting fear of Omicron variant of coronavirus.

A few COVID-19 clusters in some colleges in the State, the Government has made RT-PCR negative reports mandatory for passengers travelling to the State from Kerala and Maharashtra.

Hundreds of people will have to travel to Belagavi for the session and there is a fear of infection, the association said.

Meanwhile, preparations are on for the session. KAS officer Suresh Itnal has been appointed as a special officer for the winter session.

Visvesvaraya Technological University Guest House and the PWD Circuit House will host the Chief Minister and other senior members of the Cabinet.

P. Hemalatha Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms visited the SVS and overlooked the arrangements.

The Railway Ministry informed RITES, Leading Transport Infrastructure Consultancy and Engineering company, that a new line between Belagavi and Dharwad via Kittur, a new Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur line, and Tumkur-Devangere via Chitradurga new line project will not be executed by the company.

The Ministry of Railways vide letter no. 2021/PL/57/12 dated 30th November, 2021 has intimated that in continuation to the Railway Board’s Letter dtd. 26.10.21 regarding the execution of work by Railway CPSEs, the following works will not be executed by RITES:

– New Line between Belagavi – Dharwad and via kittur
– New Line between Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur
– Tumkur-Devangere via Chitradurga New Line Project

Earlier RITES had received this turnkey order including the three new line projects –Belagavi-Dharwad via Kittur, Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur and Tumkur-Devangree via Chitradurga, with a total cost of Rs. 4027 crore.

Smt. Mangal Suresh Angadi, MP Belagavi called on Union Minister Sri Nitin Gadkari in his office and discussed the need to undertake an upgradation project of the road from the present narrow two lanes to four lanes, stretching along Goa-Karnataka Border up to Panjim, to ensure better connectivity between two states of Karnataka and Goa State

During the meeting, also had the opportunity to discuss the formation of Belagavi Bypass road, Ring road, around Belagavi city to ease traffic congestion.

The Hon Minister discussed in length the aforesaid issues during the meet and assured of an early start of the said works.

It may be recalled that the Members of the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industry had met me and urged me to take up the matter with the Ministry, so as to boost the trade activity between the two states.

She said – “I am sure the days aren’t far off to see dreams come true of every Belgaumites.”

A 11-year-old Lion Nakul which was kept at the Kittur Rani Chennamma Nisargadhama at Bhutramanhatti died after a brief illness on Thursday.

The lion Nakul was unwell from a few days and had a digestive disorder.

Lion Nakul born on 12-02-2010, aged 11 years

Sire: Ganesh

Dam: Preksha

The lion brought from Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore also had some problems adjusting to the climate here, a zoo officer said

The other two lions Krishna & Nirupama are doing well the officers added.

The ICU unit at Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences has been renovated by bringing in new medical equipment with the support of Cigniti Technologies.

The inauguration of the ICU happened in the virtual presence of Mr. Paul Trotter, Dy. CTO at Atom, Mr. Srikanth Chakkilam, CEO at Cigniti Technologies and Mr. Krishnan Venkatachary, CFO at Cigniti. Dr. Viveki, Director, BIMS, and Mr. Mayur Patnala, Founder and CEO, Nirmaan Organization have graced the occasion at the Hospital.

Cigniti Technologies, the world’s leading independent Quality Engineering and Software Testing services company, partnered with the Nirmaan Organization to provide medical equipment to the ICU ward of Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) in the Belagavi district of Karnataka.

Cigniti donated ECG machines, oxygen cylinders, X-ray machines, air conditioners for the ICU ward, computers for the hospital staff, crash carts, ICU medical trolleys, surgical trolleys, suction apparatus, NIV masks, and other medical equipment to the hospital to support India’s fight against COVID-19.

“As a socially responsible organization, we’re committed to supporting India’s recovery from the COVID-19 second wave. We are happy to be a part of this project to improve Karnataka’s medical infrastructure, which will help rural residents get better healthcare during and after the pandemic.” Srikanth Chakkilam, Chief Executive Officer of Cigniti Technologies, stated on the occasion.

“We thank Cigniti and Nirmaan for supporting BIMS Belagavi with crucial ICU medical equipment. The much-needed oxygen cylinders and NIV masks will help the hospital supplement their oxygen supplies and prepare for future emergencies.” Dr. Viveki, Director, BIMS.

Shri. Mayur Patnala, Founder and CEO of the implementation partner, Nirmaan Organization, thanked Srikanth Chakkilam, Dr. Viveki, and the District Collector for supporting the program.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will be chairing a meeting with experts, senior Ministers and officials on Friday in the wake of two cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus detected in the state, during which new guidelines aimed at controlling its spread is likely to be formulated.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday afternoon after the Chief Minister returns from his Delhi trip.
“An emergency meeting has been convened tomorrow with experts and senior officers. The meeting would discuss the measures to prevent the spread of new variant of Covid and the strategies to control it. The issue would be discussed with experts of the union government as well. Action would be taken to formulate new guidelines,” Bommai was quoted as saying in a statement by his office, late on Thursday.

The checking has been intensified at Border check posts of Bachi and Kognoli for COVID19. Only those who possess a fully vaccinated certificate or an RTPCR -ve certificate of less than 72 hours are allowed to enter Karnataka. A rapid test is also being done for urgent cases.
“The Chief Minister will chair a meeting with senior Ministers, officials and experts, the government is seized of the matter and is on top of the measures that need to be taken, no need to worry or have unnecessary confusions or speculations,” Sudhakar had said on Thursday night.

No cultural events at schools and colleges

Not more than 500 can attend wedding

Two dose of vaccination must to enter malls & theaters

Covid testing at Airport is must

No Night curfew for now

ORDER Whereas, the State Executive Committee (SEC) vide order of even number dated 03-07-2021 has issued guidelines for COVID 19 surveillance, containment and caution which was in force in the State upto 19-07-2021. Subsequently, SEC vide orders of even number dated 18-07-2021, 31-07-2021, 13-08-2021, 30-08-2021, 09-09-2021, 24-09-2021, 08-10-2021, 26-10-2021, 09-11-2021, 24-11-2021 has extended the said guidelines upto 08-12-2021.

Whereas, World Health Organization vide statement dated 26-11-2021 has designated SARS-CoV-2 varient:B.1.1.529 (named Omicron) as Variant of Concern (VoC). As of now, WHO has confirmed detection of Omicron variant in more than 23 countries. Two cases Omicron Variant has been detected in the State following Genome sequencing by INSACOG. The Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Karnataka, has issued guidelines for rigorous screening and testing of the international arrivals from countries identified “at risk’ to prevent spread of VoC in the State, which is in line with the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.

Whereas, the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding ensuring compliance with the Prompt and Effective containment measures for COVID 19 dated 28th September, 2021, has been further extended upto 31-12-2021 vide MHA order dated 30-11-2021.

Whereas, the emerging situation entails proactive monitoring and surveillance and focused implementation of the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour to prevent spread of VoC in the State.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under the Section 24 (1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Chairman, State Executive Committee, here by issues additional containment measures, as mentioned below, which will come into force immediately and will be in force until further orders, for strict Implementation by Chief Commissioner BBMP, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other Heads of Departments and Authorities.

New Guidelines –

1. It is reiterated that there shall be strict implementation of five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and enforcing adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour.

2. It is emphasized that all gathering, meeting, conferences, etc, should strictly limit number of participants to 500 people only and COVID appropriate behaviour shall be strictly enforced during the event, the responsibility to enforce the same lies with the organisers.

3. The cultural activities/fests and functions in all educational institutions should be postponed till 15th January 2022.

4. Parents of children below 18 years who are going to school/collage should be compulsorily vaccinated with two doses of COVID vaccine.

5. Compulsory testing of health workers, old persons above 65 years and persons with comorbidities will be undertaken by the Government.

6. The entry to malls, cinema halls/theatres shall be shall be allowed only to the persons who are vaccinated with two doses of COVID 19 vaccine.

7. The Government servants shall be vaccinated with two doses of COVID 19 vaccine.

8. Wearing of face masks is an essential preventive measure. In order to strictly enforce the core requirement of masking, BBMP, District Authorities and Local Authorities shall impose fine of Rs.250 in Municipal Corporation Areas and Rs.100 in other areas for any violation in this regard.

9. There shall be intensive containment (micro containment measures) and active surveillance in clusters/area reporting higher cases to contain the spread locally.

10. Strict surveillance at the border posts setup by the districts adjoining Kerala and Maharashtra States shall continue as per the prevailing circular/guidelines issued by Department of Health and family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC, and other legal provisions as applicable.

Ms. Ranjana Jha, Principal Chief Commissioner, Central Tax, Bengaluru Zone, Bengaluru, addressed the members of the Belgaum Chambers of Commerce, Chartered Accountants Association Tax Practitioners Association and Institute of Company Secretaries India at Dr.V.D.Patil Hall, JNMC, Belagavi. She noted that the gross GST revenue collected in the month of November 2021 was Rs.1.31 Lakh Crore and she commended the trade and industry for their contribution to the nation building.

The trade bodies raised various issues including issues relating to GSTN portal, Sec 16(2) of GST Act, issue Standard Operating Procedure for e-Way Bill verification on roads, need for reducing GST rate on gold jewelry to increase compliance and regarding notices issued due to difference between GSTR2A and GSTR3B. The Principal Chief Commissioner replied to all the queries of the trade and industry and promised to look into all the grievances in detail. The Principal Chief Commissioner highlighted the recent changes brought about in GST law and administration and explained how the they were beneficial to the taxpayers. She also discussed the key decisions taken in the 45th GST council meeting held in September 2021.

Earlier in the day, Ms Ranjana Jha performed ground breaking ceremony for the swachhata project of CGST department at School of the Belgaum District Association for Blind at Nehrunagar, Belagavi. The project involves cleaning the entire sports area, preparation of Cricket ground for Visually Challenges Children, laying a running track, digging rainwater harvesting drains and pits and setting up safe drinking water provisions under the Swacchata Project of Central GST. She enthused keenness to replicate this model throughout Karnataka.

President Shri Chandrashekhar Bembalgi, and other members of the Management of the Association attended the function at the School premises along with Belagavi CGST Commissioner Shri.Baswaraj Nalagave and other senior officers of CGST, Belagavi. Ms Jha Ranjana had a long interaction with the students of the school.

A 1987 batch of IRS officer, holding post graduation degrees in Law, Arts and Philosophy, Smt Ranjana Jha, recently assumed charge as Principal Chief Commissioner, Central Tax, Bengaluru Zone, Bengaluru, during September, 2021. She has donned many a role as Tax officer in tax administration of Customs Central Excise, Service Tax and now GST. She had earlier served as DG Safeguards, New Delhi and as Director in Department of Food and Public Distribution gaining diverse experience.

In a hectic two-day visit to Belagavi as a part of her mission to interact with trade bodies and visit field formations, Ms Ranjana Jha, undertook an official visit to the CGST Executive, Audit and Appeals Commissionerates at Belagavi.

As the stray dog menace intensified in Belagavi with more than 6 cases being reported on a single day from localities such as Hanuman Nagar, Jayanagar, Vinayak Nagar and Lakshmi Tekdi.

These are the ones known as they were brought to civil hospital treatment, where Ashoka Chandaragi, President, Belagavi District Action committee of Kannada organizations was also present.

Bringing this issue to light, he has spoken to the health officer as well.

They have been urging the city’s civic authorities to immediately rid the streets and residential areas of the packs of strays and vaccinate them all. However, anger is brewing as they claim no visible action has been taken yet.

The authorities need to look into this with urgency and not wait for a fatal accident to occur. Also, it would be beneficial if the kids get lessons in school on tackling stray dogs. A similar exercise is being undertaken in Bangalore currently.

A three-day final planning conference and venue review for the upcoming joint military confrontation ‘Dharma Guardian-2022’ between India and Japan was held today by the Japan and India delegation.
The joint parade is scheduled to be held from 27 February 2022 to 12 March at the Maratha Light Infantry – ‘Foreign Training Node’ in Belagavi.

The Dharma Guardian Parade is being held jointly by Japan and India from 2018. Many of these training programs are jointly undertaken, including counterterrorism, forestry and urban reconnaissance security operations.

This is of great importance in terms of security for India. The joint military exercise will increase the level of defense cooperation between the Indian Army and the Japanese Army. In addition, it will further promote bilateral relations between the two countries.

A Japanese delegation comprising of five officers of various ranks, including Lieutenant Colonel Yujo Masuda of the Japanese Embassy in India, arrived in Belagavi on November 30. The delegation from both countries discussed ways to facilitate joint negotiations. The Japanese delegation reviewed the preparations for the ML IRC.

For over two years we have been reading about the check post at Kognoli where strict checking is done to avoid the spread of COVID 19 in Karnataka.
Now the state of Maharashtra also has taken steps to prevent the spread this time.

It has set up a check post at Kagal just before Kolhapur and only those are been let into Maharashtra who has a fully vaccinated certificate that is both doses of the vaccine.

Those who aren’t fully vaccinated must have an RTPCR -ve certificate of less than 48 hours.

Currently, to enter Karnataka as well it is the same policy, one must have got 2 doses of the vaccine or must have an RTPCR -ve certificate of less than 72 hours.
On social media already various memes about the Kognoli check post are viral.

Minister of Science and Technology of Karnataka, C N Ashwath Narayan had requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to hand over 750 acres of defence land in Belagavi to set up a software technology park.

MLA Abhay Patil had identified government open land of 745 acres along Pune-Bengaluru National Highway from Survey No 1304 to 1349 near Kanbargi for establishing IT Park. This was first taken into consideration for the Suvarna Soudha from the Military but SVS was shifted to Halaga and this land now is in the name of the State Govt. They claimed that the land belongs to the State of Karnataka.

Now the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has sent the following letter –

The same matter has been now examined by the Ministry of Defence and replied to IT BT minister of Karnataka, C.N.Ashwanth Narayan on 30th October 2021.

“Please refer to your letter dated 15.01.2021 regarding the Government land in Belagavi which is earmarked as pasture land as per State Government land records.

The matter has been examined. It has been informed that the subject land admeasuring 754 acres 33 guntas(754.82 acres) comprising Sy. Nos. 1304 to 1307, 1324 to 1350 and 1397 (total 31 Sy. Nos) in village Turkamatti, Belagavi popularly known as Military Farm land Turkamatti was transferred to the then Commissarial (Military) Department vide Bombay Government Resolutions No. 4913 dated 30/06/1873 and No.3242 dated 09/06/1875 when Belagavi was part of Bombay Presidency. Since then the land is in continuous occupation of Military for the past 140 years.

The details of the said land have been recorded in Military land Register held by Defence Estates Officer, Bengaluru. It has further been informed that, out of the total land, areas admeasuring 13.625 acres and 20 acres were transferred by MoD to the State Government and ICMR during 1978 & 1984 respectively on payment of transfer value, The balance land measuring 721.195 acres is described as Military Grass Farm and is placed under the management of QMG.

Till 2006, Military “Farm was producing hay/fodder for the cattle on part of the said land. However, the land is yet to be mutated in favor of MoD in the revenue records.

It has also been informed that the Defence Estates Officer, Bangalore has submitted all relevant documents related to the ownership of said land by MoD to the District Collector, Belagavi during 2013 in response to the order dated 23.11.2012 passed by the State Govt to take over the said land. In view of the above facts, may I request you to get the land mutated in favour of UOI so that such disputes do not arise in future.”

Source: https://belagaviinfra.co.in/ – The said info was got as an RTI reply.

The fourth edition of the Belagavi Half Marathon was well conducted in a covid appropriate manner. Flagged off from the CPED grounds this edition also saw it being certified by the International body of AIMS ( Association of International Marathons and distance races). Conducted as a charitable initiative by Lakeview Foundation and Rotary Club of Venugram, the Race Management partners were YouTooCanRun.

The event had three distance categories of 21K Half Marathon, 10 Kms and 5 Kms. Conducted with the active co-operation of the MLIRC the flag offs were conducted by Maj General P. S. Bajwa and Colonel Manoj Sharma. The event had 800 participants across all race categories and all Covid appropriate behaviour such as masks, sanitizer, social distancing, and all participants were checked for being double vaccinated. About 35% of the participants were women, including many first time runners in their quest for good health and establishing their timing on a certified course

The International accreditation elevates the event to the next level of enabling Belagavi’s to participate in international running events of their choice without having to travel to other cities to get qualified. The surplus arising from the event will be allocated to building toilets at rural schools.

The winners of the different age categories are as under.

21 KM

10km

5km

The fifth edition of the event is scheduled for 25^th September 2022

MG Automotives (Bus & Coach) Pvt. Ltd., popularly known for its prowess in the Bus, Coach & Special Vehicle Applications industry is delighted to announce the delivery of its first ambulance to a hospital in its very own city Belagavi.

MG is proud to be taking this initiative in its home city by providing better and affordable healthcare mobility solutions to Belagavians.

A ceremonial handover was performed to deliver MG’s state-of-the-art specialized ambulance to the Deccan Medical Center, Dr. Ramesh P. Doddanavar, and his Family.

As a step towards a greener tomorrow, the event was initiated by planting a sapling in MG’s factory premises by the doctor and his family.

MG Automotives (Bus & Coach) Pvt. Ltd operates from Desur, Belagavi and it has traditionally been one of the leading high volume low-cost manufacturers for the Bus Building requirement of Indian OEMs such as Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors and Eicher. It manufactures Staff Buses, School Buses, Executive Buses, Luxury Buses and Special Purpose applications like Ambulances, Delivery Vans, Defence/Army Vehicles and other Custom Designed Vehicles.

In reply to the Question of Shri SHRI IRANNA KADADI, MP in the Rajya Sabha- THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS, SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE, replied –

Status of AMRUT projects undertaken in Karnataka under AMRUT

Improvement of Water Supply System for Belgaum – Completed
Work Completed
Project Cost in Cr – 17.22

Progress – 100%

Improvements to sewerage systems of Belagavi City.

Project Cost in Cr – 162.73

Contract Awarded

Progress – 36%

Improvements to Shivaji Garden at SPM road, Belagavi
Work Completed

Project Cost in Cr – 0.5

Progress – 100%

Improvements of Greenspace layout at Hanuman Nagar in Belagavi

Work Completed

Project Cost in Cr – 2.5

Progress – 100%

Improvements to park at Shivaji Nagar, Belagavi
Work Completed

Project Cost in Cr – 1.33

Progress – 100%

Total Projects – Rs. 184.28 Cr

Department of Health and Family Welfare has slashed the rates for COVID-19 tests in Karnataka.

Revised rates for an RT-PCR test in a private lab if referred by a government hospital stands at ₹400.

The cost of an RT-PCR test at a private lab stands at ₹500.

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) – ₹400

Rapid Antibody Test stands at ₹500

Trunat test for COVID-19 – ₹1,250

CB-NAAT – ₹1,600

Express RTPCR – ₹ 3,000

If the labs collect the samples from Home, they are allowed to collect an additional charge of ₹250 per house.

The NHAI has floated a tender for Two-Laning with/without paved shoulders from km 0.000 to km 69.480 (Design) of Sanquelim to Belagavi Section of NH-748AA in the State of Goa and Karnataka under Bharatmala Pariyojana on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (the “EPC”) basis.

No. of years for completion of work – 2 years

The route:

Machhe, Piranwadi, Navage, Kinaye, Kusamalli, Jamboti, Kalmani, Kankumbi – Poriem, Matnee, Sanquelim.

Already the NH 748 – Belagavi – Khanapur section is 75% complete.

Now under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the Sanquelim to Belagavi road is planned to two-laned.

Vega and BASF unveiled a concept helmet – co-created to showcase innovative material solutions and designs that enhance motorcyclists’ style, safety, comfort, and functionality.

Driving new applications by exploring co-development opportunities

In collaborating on the project, Vega and BASF considered the critical concerns of riders, such as a lighter weight helmet and ample ventilation for greater comfort and safety for customers in Asia Pacific.

“The versatility of our innovative and customized material solutions also opens up design possibilities. You need more than just a product to solve your challenges – you need a variety of high-performance materials, applications, engineering, simulation, and manufacturing know-how to develop new products and applications. Our co-creations projects, such as the concept helmet, demonstrate how successful collaboration along the entire value chain can better serve market needs,” said Marilyn Lye, Vice President, Business Management Industrial, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.

BASF’s broad portfolio of advanced material solutions – which can be optimized to meet demanding application specifications – inspired the creation of the concept helmet. The high-performing materials conceptualized for the co-creation also extend the durability of end-products or have been designed with recyclability in mind.

Infinergy® E-TPU for the outer layer of the helmet interior provides excellent damping performance.

Elastollan® TPU for the bottom ribs and soft pad over the Bluetooth provides a smooth surface, and soft-touch yet possesses excellent wear and tear performance. When applied as a paint protection film and striking Electroluminescent (EL) strip light, Elastollan offers good transparency, scratch resistance, and excellent durability.

Ultramid® PA for the outer shell, breath guard cover, and carabiner assembly provide good impact resistance and mechanical performance.

Ultraform® POM for gears and other components possess excellent sliding characteristics and good dimensional stability.

Ultradur® PBT for front air vent, assembly dust pocket & filter body provides good flowability, aesthetics, and weatherability (outdoor durability).

The Creation Center, BASF’s dedicated touch-point inspiring creative solutions, BASF designers, engineers, and simulation experts also support customers such as Vega in the early product development phase – from design conceptualization to technical specification, material testing, prototyping, validation, marketing, and launch. For the concept helmet, the Creation Center teamed up with Vega and Elephant Design, an industrial design agency, to develop a design solution that fulfilled the helmet co-creation design requirements related to style, safety, comfort, and functionality.

“Vega has been the preferred choice for numerous bikers and two-wheeler riders, providing them safety and quality for over three decades. We are glad that through our tie-up with BASF, we can introduce new concepts in the helmet industry. Together with BASF, we are moving forward with our mission of exploring new frontiers in helmet technology and material innovation and safety through functional and creative design with BASF. The concept helmet is a showcase example of how we are blending futuristic design and technology to create premium quality helmets and provide excellent customer experiences,” said Mr. Uttam Chandak, Director, Research & Development, Vega Auto Accessories Pvt Limited, Belagavi.

India is the world’s biggest two-wheeler market and accordingly for scooter and motorcycle helmets. There are 20 Million two-wheelers sold annually and more than 250 Million two-wheelers plying on Indian roads.

For more information on the concept helmet, click here for the animation / here for the video.

About Vega

Vega Auto Accessories Pvt Limited, Belagavi, one of the leading helmet manufacturing companies in India, with a wide network of over 400 dealers across the country and has also established itself overseas in countries like, USA Canada, Germany, Italy, Angloa, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Madagaskar, Georgia, Peru, Israel, Cambodia Paraguay, Gautemala and Chile. Vega in recent years has introduced a new brand AXOR – in design collaboration with Italy, to cater to the growing premium markets in India with a price range Rs. 4000/- to 10000/- plus. Vega has powered its way to become one of the leading helmet manufacturers in India, competing with world leaders with respect to design, process and product quality. ‘Quality above Quantity’ has always been the motto in every stage of development at Vega.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials’ know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2020, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €5.63 bn. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.