Pune (Maharashtra), Aug 25 : As part of 'Make In India' initiative, Tata Motors on Saturday rolled out the 1500th GS800 Safari Storme (SUV) vehicle specially designed for Indian Army, an official said.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and Tata Motors Vice-President (Defence & Government Business) Vernon Noronha flagged off the vehicles as part of a total 3192-vehicle order to the Army.

The Safari Storme GS800 4X4 is indigenously designed to meet the requirements of the Indian Army with a contemporary, highly reliable and sturdier diesel SUV with robust features and a minimum payload capacity of 800 kg.

The vehicles has undergone a rigorous trial of 15 months in varied terrains across the country, demonstrating its supreme performance, with capability of coping with on-road and off-road terrains.

Offering 60 per cent higher payload, 70 higher power and 200 per cent higher torque, the vehicle has been customized to endure severely rugged conditions ranging from high altitudes drives, snow-bound regions, crossing deserts or marshy lands, said Noronha.

The Safari Storme incorporates other special features like recovery hooks, jerry can and fog lamps to cater to Army requirements during missions, bucket seats and mobile charging point.

The low maintenance vehicle has heating and air-conditioning, demisting, power windows and accommodate six persons comfortably in the cabin.

So far, the past 60 years of its services to the defence sector, Tata Motors has supplied over 150,000 vehicles to the military and security forces, Noronha added.



Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.

Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.

Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.

“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.

“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.

Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.

“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.

The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.

The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.

Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.

Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.