Ashok Leyland has offered to supply buses fitted with compressed natural gas (CNG) engines to the Delhi government to enable the latter to replace its existing fleet by more environmental friendly vehicles by April one, 2001, the deadline set by the Supreme Court. "We have developed CNG engines for buses which would entail an additional cost of Rs 3.5 lakh per unit. We have offered to the Delhi government to supply new CNG buses and also convert the existing ones," the Hinduja group company's managing director R Seshasayee said.

Hughes Network's Vsat system for Bhutan

Hughes Network Systems (HNS) has sold a very small aperture terminal (Vsat) telephony system to the Kingdom of Bhutan. HNS has delivered its TES quantum equipment to Bhutan's ministry of communications, division of telecommunications, and installation of the network has begun.

The system will be used primarily for domestic communications in this mountainous landlocked nation locatedbetween India and Tibet. "The Intelsat's satellite-based thin-route dama system would be adopted as an alternative routing system and for rural services," said director, ministry of communications, Bhutan, Sangy Tensing.

Pepsi, Vadilal get BIS certificates

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) certification to eight food units, including Pepsi Foods Ltd, Vadilal and Mother Dairy, in the dairy, rice processing and spice sector. HACCP certification is granted by the bureau against "IS-15,000: 1998 -- food hygine, hazard analysis and critical control point" certification scheme which is technically equivalent to the international "codex alimentarious commission standard".

Peekay Farm unveils grain dryer

Peekay Farm Equipments Pvt Ltd with technical assistance from the Taiwanese Suncue Co Ltd has introduced `Peekay Suncue Grain Dryer,' a traditional crop drying equipment in the market, said a release. The grain dryer would be arecirculating batch type and this would help in avoding over or under drying. It also is expected to give a low crack ratio, maximum airflow and uniform drying. This user-friendly dryer has a one touch operating button and fully automatic multiple monitoring system. Priced between Rs six lakh and Rs 22 lakh, the dryer is available in capacities between six to 30 tonnes.

The international Technology Park has opened its 51-unit residential tower at the IT Park. The building block comes in eight apartments on each floor (six floors plus ground) and four penthouses. According to official sources, the new block was a part of the company's Rs 450 crore construction plan and the third and last phase of building activities were expected be completed by the year 2003.

Marico's Ranchi oil godown gutted

A major fire broke out at an oil godown of the Mumbai-based Marico Industries Ltd in the local Pandra Bazar area on Tuesday, fire brigade sources said. The fire was probably caused by short circuit, thesources said. There was, however, no casualty. Though the exact extent of damage was yet to be ascertained as the propreitors of the godown were yet to reach there, the loses might amount to lakhs of rupees, the sources said.