Mandya to get world-class ARAI centre: Kumaraswamy
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that a global-standard ARAI centre will be set up in Mandya, his Lok Sabha constituency, at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.
He described it as a major contribution to the region and a significant boost for Karnataka's automobile sector.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Kumaraswamy said the proposed centre would require 100 acres of land and that the Centre had taken steps to secure it from the state government.
"My aspiration is that this world-class centre of quality and excellence be established in Mandya," the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel said, underlining the importance of the project.
He added that he had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the allotment of land for it.
"I have written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting the allocation of land. I am confident it will be provided at the earliest," he said, adding that funds for the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) centre had already been earmarked in the budget.
Calling the project "extremely important", Kumaraswamy said the proposed ARAI facility would benefit not only Mandya and the Mysuru region but also serve as a catalyst for the automobile sector across the state.
Explaining the role of ARAI, he said it is a premier autonomous research and development organisation under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and serves as the principal authority for testing, certification, and research in the Indian automotive sector.
Headquartered in Pune, ARAI acts as a bridge between the government and the automobile industry by ensuring compliance with standards related to vehicle safety, emissions control, and technical quality, he said.
Kumaraswamy added that on January 21, the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Revenue Department had written to the Mandya Deputy Commissioner, directing the identification of suitable land for the project.
The minister, responding to questions about his work in Mandya since being elected, said that some MLAs had repeatedly questioned him on the matter.
"This ARAI centre is my answer. In the first phase alone, Rs 500 crore will be invested, and more investments will follow. Once the state government allocates land, we will move swiftly to implement the project. So far, the CM has not responded," he said, adding the Centre is committed to strengthening the automobile sector in Karnataka.
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Late flourish masks CSK’s batting woes on lively Chepauk track, hosts post 158/7
Chennai (PTI): Bowlers calling the shots in a format dominated by big hitters is a rarity, but that script played out at Chepauk on Sunday as Gujarat Titans exploited a lively, bounce-friendly surface to stifle Chennai Super Kings before the hosts managed a late flourish to reach 158 for 7.
On a pitch that offered sharp carry, stroke-making demanded discretion and adaptability. Instead, CSK’s batters often opted for high-risk shots without fully assessing conditions, and paid the price with a flurry of miscued dismissals.
Invited to bat, CSK never quite found rhythm but skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden half-century (74 not out) of the current IPL season lent a semblance of respectability to the total in a season where 200-plus scores have become commonplace.
Gaikwad's knock came off 60 balls with six fours and four sixes after a laboured start.
The tone was set early by GT pacer Mohammed Siraj, who extracted steep bounce and forced errors.
Sanju Samson (11) began watchfully, negotiating the first over before opening up against Kagiso Rabada to bring up his 5000 IPL runs milestone. However, Rabada’s bounce soon accounted for him as a hard slash outside off resulted in a faint edge that Jos Buttler pouched safely.
The dismissal triggered a collapse. Urvil Patel (4) fell in the same Rabada over attempting an ambitious pull, while Sarfaraz Khan (0) succumbed to Siraj’s extra lift, mistiming a short ball to offer a simple catch.
At 28 for 3 inside the Powerplay, CSK were already in trouble.
Gaikwad and Dewald Brevis (2) needed to rebuild, but the latter’s impatience against spinner Manav Suthar led to his downfall, holing out after failing to get to the pitch of the ball.
The mounting wickets forced Gaikwad into a shell — an approach that, while understandable, further stalled the momentum. His reluctance to improvise allowed dot balls to pile up, with CSK reaching 50 only in the 12th over.
The skipper eventually broke free, taking on Arshad Khan and Jason Holder with a couple of towering sixes, but the acceleration came too late.
Shivam Dube, dropped thrice on 6, 11 and 22, struggled for fluency before Arshad cleaned him up.
Kartik Sharma (15) and Jamie Overton (18) provided late impetus with a few lusty hits, but the damage had already been done.
On a pitch that rewarded discipline and smart shot selection, Titans' bowlers executed their plans to perfection, while CSK’s batters failed to read the conditions in time, a lapse that ultimately defined the innings.
