FACTS ABOUT ARAI LAND AT VETAL HILL

 ARAI is an R&D Institute with Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of .  ARAI has been established in 1966, functional since 1972 and operational at Vetal Hill Survey No. 102, since1974.  In 1972 Govt. of allotted to ARAI entire Survey No. 102 (at Kothrud), measuring nearly 105 Ha. on 90 years lease. Government of Maharashtra, through PMC, published notice, seeking opinion vide Gazette Notification in 1973, for change of status of Survey No. 102, Kothrud from “No development Zone” to “Commercial and Industrial Zone” for ARAI’s exclusive use.

Photographs of Vetal Hill area at the time of allotment of land to ARAI in 1972

Photographs of Vetal Hill area in 2011

 ARAI, after humble start in 1974, with 4 engineers on barren land at Vetal Hill, has grown to world renowned Automotive R&D Institute with a strong team of over 500 employes (consisting of more than 375 Engineers) and with an investment of Rs. 270 crore by Govt. of India over last 36 years.

 Though the entire land measuring 105 Ha. was allotted to ARAI, the current activities of ARAI are spread over approx. 25 acres of land, out of which laboratories and office buildings cover approx. 14,000 sq.m. (1.4 Ha. or 3.5 acres). The remaining land, except internal roads, has been developed for garden and tree cover.

 ARAI’s land proposal of approx. 55 Ha. for its developmental needs was vetted by District Collector, Commissioner - PMC, Dept. Of Forest, Government of Maharashtra and approved by Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. Of India after on-site assessment by Chairman, Forest Advisory Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

 The approval includes development of laboratories of 59,000 sq. m. (5.97 Ha.), including existing buildings mentioned above.

 The proposed expansion is necessarily for establishment of advanced complementary facilities required to develop less polluting Euro 5 / Euro 6 and crashworthy safer vehicles. These facilities are required to be essentially used along with the already operational existing facilities of ARAI.

 For this purpose, additional investment of ~Rs. 250 crore has been budgeted by Department of Heavy Industy, Govt. of India, under NATRiP project.

 NATRiP project of Rs. 1,718 crore is an ambitious initiative by Govt. of India through “Automotive Mission Plan 2006 - 2016” having Vision to make Indian auto sector one of the global leaders contributing 10% to GDP and creating 25 million jobs.

 The proposed expansion is establishing non-manufacturing, non-polluting test facility.

 The laboratories covered under this plan shall have ground coverage of about 14,000 sq. m. (3.5 acres).

 This means effectively only 2.8 Ha. of total ground coverage (cosidering both existing and proposed), out of 105 Ha. of land at Survey No. 102, Kothrud (a meager 2.6%), is used. Even if road coverage of approx. 2.2 Ha. (cosidering both existing and proposed) is taken into account, non-green area will be less than 5%.

 For Hill Top / Hill slope area, Maharashtra Region & Town Planning Act allows 4% of FSI for developing recreational activities like amusement parks, health club, cafeteria, sports and games, swimming pools, etc. This 4% does not include roads.

 What is crucial for society? Amusement parks, health clubs, cafeterias, sports and games, swimming pools or R & D facilities for safer and greener transport vehicles?

WHAT ARAI HAS DONE TO PROTECT THE ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT?

 Returned 50 Ha. of land to Forest Department, out of 105 Ha. of Survey No. 102 that was allotted to ARAI by Govt. of Maharashtra in 1972.

 Further, ARAI paid approx. Rs. 11.5 crore to Government for Green belt development on 50 Ha. of land (returned by ARAI to Forest Department) plus additional 115 Ha. of barren land identified by Forest Department, and for erecting compound wall around Survey No. 102 for protection of forest as well.

 Zero discharge facility, STP processed water is used for development and maintenance of green environment.

 Extensive use of solar energy for canteen purpose.

 Composting and vermiculture plants for treatment of biodegradable waste.

 Water connection of 30,000 liters per day is provided to Forest Department at Bhamburda forest to maintain the same.

 Over 10,000 trees have been planted and grown to maturity in and around ARAI premises, and along the approach road to ARAI.

 Collaborated with Green Hill, Pune (an NGO) and TATA Motors to plant more than 2,500 saplings this season and continued to provide resources for further cultivation.

WHAT ARAI HAS DONE FOR SOCIETY?

 In last four years, ARAI has helped needy social organizations to meet their requirements, under “Corporate Social Responsibility” initiative. Through this initiative ARAI has donated directly cheques / goods worth of Rs. 30 lakh.

 ARAI has one of the best collections of technical books and references in its Knowledge Centre, to which free access for students of various engineering colleges is provided.

 Specialized training programs are conducted every year for providing and refreshing knowledge of RTOs all over India.

ARAI’S OWN INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDIAN INDUSTRIES TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVE VEHICLE SAFETY

 Instrumental in introduction of PUC in early 90s, and starting pollution control regime in India giving birth to Bharat Stage I, II, III and IV pollution norms.

 Introduction of various Active and Passive safety norms (seat belts, lighting & signaling systems, windscreens, wipers and washing systems, rear view mirrors, etc.) from year 2000 onwards.

 Solely responsible for successful introduction of CNG run public transport vehicles in Delhi in 2003–2004. This is now being implemented in other cities as well.

 Developed and mastered the technologies involving use of gaseous fuels like CNG, LPG, Hydrogen+CNG. Indian Industry has vastly benefitted by this indigenous technology. ARAI holds couple of patents in this technology domain.

 Developed and built (from drawing board) three-cylinder diesel engine that has power to size ratio comparable to some of the top class engines in the world.

 Mapped and digitized all types of typical Indian roads; this has helped the Indian industry in developing vehicles providing more comfort to the users.

 Developed technologies for use of alternate fuels like bio-diesel and its blends.

 In the year 2007-08 for more than 12 months, studied, monitored and analyzed air quality of Pune city to decide the contribution of various polluting sources, under the project initiated by Ministry of Environment & Forests. Also monitored vehicular pollution as well.

 Collected and statistically derived and created databank on biometric dimensional data of Indian population spread all across the country. This data bank is most useful in product designs where ergonomic considerations are most important.

 The status and competency of ARAI has been recognized and appreciated not only in India but globally as well. The opinions of ARAI experts on formulation of rules and standards are regularly sought at international forums set under the aegis of United Nations. The efforts of ARAI have been recognized at this level by bestowing the responsibility of chairmanship of prestigious group working on environmentally-friendly vehicles consisting of more than 60 member countries all over the world.

This is all ARAI has to tell about itself. For more information visit us on www.araiindia.com Let ARAI continue its outstanding work for you all and the Nation