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Childhood passions and fascinations generally diminish for many as they grow up, but for few others they have become goals to achieve in life, Biswajit Baruah, Son of Late Dilip Kumar Baruah and Rekha Baruah, a native of Guwahati, Assam has a similar story. A native Assamese staying at Belagavi, Karnataka is an inspired Bus Entrepreneur, Enthusiast, Journalist and a Amateur CV-Photographer.

Buses have been a childhood passion for Biswajit. A product of KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi - Biswajit is the founder and CEO of Hive Sustainable Solutions, a Belagavi based start up company, which deals with providing sustainable solutions of bus fleet operations and bus industry as a whole, in India. Biswajit has worked previously as a 'Mentor and Director' of a Bengaluru based start-up 'Bus-Bucket' and its sister concern 'Ozobus' , before starting his own venture - 'Hive' at Belagavi. Biswajit has expertise in Automobile and Bus Journalism. His initial start up initiative of Blog Writing through his Bus Blog took him to work as a freelance 'Consulting Editor' to India's premium Commercial Vehicle Magazine - 'Motor India'. He is also a guest writer for Belagavi's premiere news and current affairs website - 'All About Belgaum'.

Biswajit started his passion as an amateur Bus Photographer and till date have captured more than 100,000 pictures of buses. He is fond of gaining and sharing technical knowledge about mechanics and electronics which drive buses. He also likes heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, excavators, cranes etc. Biswajit visits expos and exhibitions Pan India to meet people from the bus and CV Industry and to learn about products and latest technologies. His Blog and his facebook page - 'Biswajit - SVM Chaser' is followed by many top bus companies and OEMs for insights and feedback. Biswajit is well known amongst the bus fleet operators in India and is well recognized by the top operators like VRL Travels, SRS Travels and KSRTC in Karnataka, for his views and insights regarding sustainable bus fleet operations and services.

With a Pan-India approach, Biswajit stresses on the required effort for sustainable bus transport in India. He believes that Passenger Service and the Bus Crew Category is the most sought area, which needs urgent attention to bring streamline development in bus services across the country. He is currently working in the fields of Smart Mobility, Bus Codes, Inter-Modal Transport, Sustainable Transport, Biofuel Drivelines, Zero Carbon footprint initiatives, ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems), MaaS (Mobility as a Service), Big Data, PPP (Public Private Partnership), Smart Ticketing, Contactless Payments, Electric Drivelines, Smart City Initiatives, Passenger Safety and Security, Digital Solutions for Vehicle Maintenance and Monitoring.

Biswajit have been highlighted by various print and digital media in the country for his passion for buses, which includes - 'The New Indian Express', 'Times Of India', 'All About Belgaum', 'Scania India Blog', 'Vijayavani Karnataka (VRL Media)', 'Darshan Belgaum', and 'Vijay Karnataka'. He was felicitated by Rotary Club of Dharwad Central, Karnataka for his outstanding contribution to the Bus Industry especially in the areas of sustainable transport solutions. Biswajit, won the Indian Achiever's Award for the 'Promising Start Up' Category in 2022, adding another achievement to his tally.

Apart from India, Biswajit is followed by and contacted by top bus experts from European countries like Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Finland and Asian Countries like Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Indonesia. With a zeal for his passion for buses and commercial vehicle industry, Biswajit have dared to dream big on his entrepreneur ventures to develop Indian Bus Industry, encompassing whole of India.
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Scania Ecolink - Low Floor ethanol City Bus

Scania Commercial Vehicles India (SCVI) Limited have handed over India's first Ethanol fuelled city bus to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for trial run in Nagpur, Maharashtra (India).

Ethanol is viewed as the future for Public Transport. The use of ethanol as a vehicle fuel is the best example of what can be done here and now in sustainable development work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

There is now a growing interest in ethanol operated vehicles. In recent years, Scania has also delivered ethanol buses commercial service in Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Norway and other countries. Ethanol accounts for around 90 percent of renewable vehicle fuels available in the world today and can be sourced locally, which will reduce the need for import of petroleum oil. It is the most cost effective bio-fuel in the market in terms of availability, infrastructure and accessibility. Compared to a conventional diesel engine, ethanol powered vehicles can reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions by upto 90 percent. Ethanol also offers the best operating radius of the currently available renewable fuels for city center and urban operations.

Public transport on ethanol buses is a cost effective way of reducing several of th city's environmental problems. The solutions which are now developing create the necessary pre-conditions for more both attractive forms of travel and also better living conditions in city centers, with requiring major investments in new infrastructure. With this ethanol bus an engine complying with Bharat Stage 5 have been introduced, which is a huge step to minimize emissions further. Biofuel is the sustainable solution for urban public transport here and now, as told by Mr Anders Grundstromer, Managing Director, SCVI.

UPDATE :
Four more ethanol buses are likely to join the pilot project for such vehicles in January 2015. This will take the number of buses to FIVE. Meanwhile the bus already available in Nagpur with NMC will begin commercial runs for the first time on November 17, 2014.

I would like to thank Ajinkya Ghatate, from Nagpur, Maharashtra who have made efforts to click the Scania Ecolink, Ethanol bio fuelled in his city and have send me these pics for demonstration and study on my Vehicle Blog.

Here are some pics of the inauguration of the First Ethanol based Scania Ecolink Low Floor Bus in Nagpur, Maharashtra : 

SCANIA ECOLINK ETHANOL FUELLED BUS - INDIA - PIC 1 
SCANIA ECOLINK ETHANOL FUELLED BUS - INDIA - PIC 2


Some more pics sent by Ajinkya from Nagpur : 

CAMERA SCREEN SITUATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING 
STEERING COLUMN
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCHES
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCHES
FRONT DOOR MIRROR AND DIGITAL CLOCK
AC VENTS AND LED LIGHTS ABOVE PASSENGER SEATS
CAMERA DISPLAY ABOVE DRIVER SHOWING FEED DIRECTLY FROM SIDE CAMERAS ( NOTE THE TV SCREEN AND MIRROR NEAR MIDDLE DOOR) 
INTERIOR SEATING CONFIGURATION
EMERGENCY HAMMER 
EMERGENCY HAMMER AND HAMMERS PRESENT AT ALL DOORS
PARKING BRAKE 
DASHBOARD CONTROLS
SOME LOCK SYSTEM BENEATH STEERING COLUMN 
DOOR OPERATION AND AC CONTROL PANEL ON DRIVER DOOR
DASHBOARD DISPLAY
FOOTWELL OF PEDALS
DRIVER INSTRUMENT BAY CLUSTER OR COCKPIT 
INFORMATION DISPLAY AND INTERIOR CAMERA
INFORMATION DISPLAY AND EXTERIOR CAMERA 
INFORMATION DISPLAY ON FRONT
FULL SIZE FIRE EXTINGUISHER SITUATED ON LEFT SIDE BEHIND DRIVER SEAT 
FRONT LEFT TYRE
CHASIS INFO 
REAR LEFT TYRE


REMOTE ENGINE CONTROLLER 
POWER STEERING PART
COMPRESSER
ENGINE OIL HOLDER 
ENGINE BELT
AIR BELLOW
INSIDE VIEW OF ENGINE 

SCANIA ON ROAD ASSISTANCE VEHICLE 
FRONT VIEW OF THE SCANIA ASSISTANCE VEHICLE
SCANIA VEHICLE BOOKLET 
SCANIA VEHICLE BOOKLET 




VOLVO - Maintenance of Parts


1. FLAP DOOR LOCKS : 
   
    Flap door side locks should be oiled, and the lock catcher should be greased once a week, so as to ensure easy opening and closing of flap door and for good life of the locks and flap door. 

2. DRIVER DOOR LOCK CATCHER AND LOCK BOLTS :

   The driver door lock catcher should be greased regularly and the bolts of the lock catcher as well as lock should be tightened regularly. 

3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT MESH :

   Engine compartment mesh belts and nuts should be tightened regularly i.e., once in a week.

4. CLOSING OF FLAP DOOR :

  Flap door should be closed at minimum distance from the bus body and it should not be pushed to close.

5. DOORS : 

  Always ensure that both the passenger door and the driver door operation is smooth and the locks are functioning. The passenger door is operated by pneumatic mechanism. In case of leakage from any coupling, report for necessary rectification. When the door is shut properly the lamp above the door should automatically get off.

6. SAFETY BELTS :

 Safety belts are put on Driver Seat, Co-Driver Seat, Front most passenger seats and Rear most middle seat. Please ensure that these are put properly before driving. Always ensure proper working of the belts, as it is a life saving device.

7. SIDE FLAPS :

  The side flaps for luggage compartment and service accesses are operated by pressurized gas springs. NEVER TRY TO DIS-ASSEMBLE THE GAS SPRINGS. In case of non operation of any gas spring, the same should be reported for replacement. There is a beeper fitted in the Electrical junction box, which will beep constantly when any flap is open. As soon as the flap is closed the beeper should automatically switch off. The lamp fitted inside the luggage compartment will automatically come on when the side flap is opened. For safety purpose, please ensure that all flaps including the engine flap are locked and the lock cover is closed before driving.

8. FIRE EXTINGUISHER :

  There are two fire extinguishers of 'ABC' Grade provided on the coach. The 2 Kg container is located near the front exit door and the 1 Kg container is located below the middle seat of the rear row.

THE FRONT FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON A VOLVO B9R 
REAR FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON A VOLVO B9R 

9. PASSENGER DOOR OPERATION CONTROL : 

  The operating mechanism is below the first entry step. This step is hinged and openable, clean the dust below this step everyday. DO NOT SPRAY WATER ON THE SYSTEM DIRECTLY. Drain the air tanks once a week for moisture/oil free air.

10.  A/C VENT CONSOLE : 

 Turn the vent console (inside the A/C duct) clockwise to open the vent. NEVER PULL THEM. NEVER BLOCK THE PERMANENT OPEN VENTS ABOVE THE HATRACK WITH LUGGAGE ETC

AC VENT CONSOLE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SEATS ON A VOLVO B9R 
AC PERMANENT OPEN VENTS ABOVE THE HATRACK ON A VOLVO B9R 

11. SEAT CONTROL : 

   Driver, Co-Driver and passenger seat function of each control. Tighten seat anchor bolts once a month.

12. ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX :

  The electrical junction box is located above the driver seat. The box has a base cover which has a clamp and lock. DO NOT TAMPER WITH ANY FEATURE IN THE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX. DO NOT KEEP ANY OTHER MATERIAL IN THE BOX. All repair works to be done by authorized mechanics only.

13. HATRACK : 

  This is designed to carry light weight personal belongings only. All heavy luggages should be placed only in the under-slung luggage compartment. OVERLOADING WITH HEAVY LUGGAGE WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND RATTLING OF THE HATRACK. Never block the A/C vents with luggage.

PIC SHOWING OVERHEAD HATRACK FOR STORAGE OF LIGHT WEIGHT BELONGINGS ON A VOLVO B9R 
PIC SHOWING UNDER-SLUNG LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OF A VOLVO B9R 

14. WIPER WASHER TANK :

   This tank is below the bumper with this pump. This tank socket cover and the clamps should be kept intact. Keep this tank filled with water to wipe / wash the front windshield.

15. REAR VIEW MIRROR POSITION / ADJUST : 

  Rear view mirror position / adjustment should be done by the Electrical Knob provided on the dashboard and this Knob should be operated smoothly.

16. PASSENGER & DRIVER DOOR TO BE CLOSED BEFORE DRIVING :

  Passenger and driver door should be closed before driving otherwise it may cause accident & damage the door.

17. ROOF HATCH GLASS TO BE CLOSED BEFORE DRIVING 

  Roof hatch glass should be closed before driving because the A/C cooling effect will be less when the glass is open and the glass may also break if it hits any material while driving.

ROOF HATCH GLASS OF THE VOLVO B9R 


18. FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS CLEANING : 

  The front windshield glass should be cleaned every day so that the driver can see the outer things properly.

CREW CLEANING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS OF A VOLVO B11R 

19. FRONT BUMPER CLOSED BEFORE DRIVING : 

  The front bumper should be closed before driving to avoid any accidents.

20. FIRST AID KIT : 

  The first aid kit should have complete medicines in it and if any material is used, it should be replaced immediately.
   

VOLVO B9R Exhaust Manifold

The Exhaust Manifold helps in the exhaust of the carbon smoke from the VOLVO Engine after processing , through the silencer pipe. The temperature of the carbon smoke is about 104 dec C, at the pressure of 1600 Kg/cm square, because of which the manifold is insulated with a sheet metal insulation.

VOLVO B9R EXHAUST MANIFOLD - PIC 1 
VOLVO B9R EXHAUST MANIFOLD - PIC 2
VOLVO B9R EXHAUST MANIFOLD - PIC 3

VOLVO B9R Cruise Control

VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE CRUISE CONTROL 
Cruise Control is activated by moving the switch (B) to the ON position.

When the bus reached the desired speed, press the "+" or "-" side of the SET button (A). The set speed is increased or decreased by pressing the "+" or "-" side of the switch respectively.

If the speed is temporarily increased, e.g. for overtaking, the vehicle will return to the set speed when the accelerator is released.

Cruise Control is deactivated if :
  • the brake pedal is depressed
  • the clutch pedal is depressed
  • the retarder stalk is moved to another position
  • the switch (B) is moved to its OFF position
After cruise control have has been switched off, the most recent speed can be restored by moving the switch (B) to RESUME. This however does not apply if cruise control has been deactivated by moving switch (B) to its OFF position. 

PATEL TRAVELS GUJARAT SCANIA METROLINK HD

Patel Travels Gujarat (India) soon will be launching its fleet of Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle Coaches.

For info and online booking, log on : http://pateltoursandtravels.com/ or www.pttbus.in

PATEL SCANIA METROLINK HD - AD 1
PATEL SCANIA METROLINK HD - AD 2

Volvo Trucks - Volvo Trucks vs Koenigsegg: a race between a Volvo FH and...


It was really a grand feast to watch the VOLVO FH Beast on the racing track. 

Tappet / Engine Cover of the VOLVO B9R

Tappet Cover or the Engine Cover of  VOLVO D9B Rear Engine of the VOLVO B9R Multiaxle :

TAPPET / ENGINE COVER OF THE VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE - PIC 1
TAPPET / ENGINE COVER OF THE VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE - PIC 2



Dual Alternators of a VOLVO B9R Multiaxle

There are two alternators (shown labelled in the pic) in a VOLVO B9R Multiaxle of 12V, 170 Amps each which are used to charge the two batteries of the bus (12V each). The batteries used in the VOLVO bus are generally from the Prestolite Brand.


VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE - DUAL ALTERNATORS 

VOLVO B9R Multiaxle Clutch Plate

Clutch Plate helps the vehicle to operate at vary speeds, by changing gears.

Pics of the VOLVO B9R Multiaxle Clutch Plate :

VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE CLUTCH PLATE - PIC 1 
VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE CLUTCH PLATE - PIC 2

VOLVO Belt Tensioner

A Belt Tensioner is used to save belt life and also to provide easy rotation of the other attachments like the coolant pump and idler pulley.

VOLVO B7R Mark 3 Belt Tensioner :

Part Number : VO 21500149 

VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B7R MARK 3 : PIC 1
VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B7R MARK 3 : PIC 2
VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B7R MARK 3 : PIC 3

VOLVO B9R Multiaxle Belt Tensioner :

Part Number : VO 21549016

VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE : PIC 1
VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE : PIC 2
VOLVO BELT TENSIONER : VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE : PIC 3
Pic depicting the position of the VOLVO Belt Tensioner in a VOLVO B9R Multiaxle Rear Engine 


VOLVO BELT TENSIONER IN A VOLVO B9R MULTIAXLE REAR ENGINE



Morning Star Travels gets Scania Metrolink HD Coaches

Morning Star Travels - An Andhra Pradesh based operator have got delivery of its Scania Metrolink HD multiaxles. The two multiaxles will ply on Vijaywada - Bangalore route.

Pic Courtesy : Respective Owners

MORNING STAR SCANIA METROLINK HD - PROMO AD
MORNING STAR SCANIA METROLINK HD - PIC 1
MORNING STAR SCANIA METROLINK HD - PIC 2
MORNING STAR SCANIA METROLINK HD - PIC 3

Liyaqat Ali Hosur - Maintaining NWKRTC VOLVOs in Belgaum

As a VOLVO fan, i have the craze to click and post VOLVO photographs whenever and wherever i can. I have done my best in my current city of Belgaum, Karnataka, also i have done many intercity and interstate tours in order to fulfill my passion. My passion does not gets limited to just clicking pictures of the VOLVOs, but as an engineering student i have always tried to know and update myself on the latest technology and about the machines under the hood. 
My anxiousness to know more about the technical and the machinery part of a VOLVO, made me to meet Mr Liyaqat Ali Hosur, who is currently the VOLVO in Charge of the VOLVO Section of NWKRTC (North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation) Belgaum Depot 1. A very knowledgeable person, Mr Hosur holds a diploma degree in general Mechanical Stream from Government Polytechnic, Belgaum. 
As i started to meet him quite often in the depot to learn, study and understand the functioning of the engine parts and also study the electronics behind these swedish machines, i started realizing how much hard work is involved to maintain these machines, in order to make sure that they run smoothly on our highways. 

I am hereby making an effort to bring people like Mr Hosur, in limelight so that people do recognize the hard work and their efforts in maintenance which makes the swedish VOLVOs to run so smoothly.

MR LIYAQAT ALI HOSUR POSING WITH THE VOLVO 8400 LOW FLOOR CITY BUS 

Mr Liyaqat Ali Hosur , born on 14th June 1969, did his primary education from Ramapur in Khanapur Taluka, Belgaum in Urdu Medium upto 7th Class, after that he shifted to Bidi, which is also in Khanapur Taluka to complete his SSLC. After SSLC, he did his ITI in Haliyal in Uttara Kannada district. He got introduction to subjects like Workshop Calculation and Science, Engineering Drawing, Lathe, fitting attachment etc, but he specialized in lathe operations. Hosur completed his ITI in 1987. Hosur further continued his studies and took a three years diploma degree in General Mechanical at Government Polytechnic, Belgaum. He learned fuel system, heat treatment, forging, welding etc which included both theory and practical sessions. 

After completing his education, Hosur started working as a Job Inspector at Jai Hind Engineering, after which he also worked at Sankeshwar Sugar factory as a technician where he was in charge of the maintenance of boilers. 

Hosur's first introduction to automobile world was in the year 1996-97 when he applied for a job in NWKRTC Belgaum. He got an appointment as a technician and was in charge of the maintenance of TATA and Ashok Leyland Intercity buses of the depot. He continued working on the same post upto 2005. 

In 2005, Hosur was selected by NWKRTC Belgaum division for a 5 days VOLVO Training session in VOLVO India headquaters at Hoskote, Bangalore. Hosur got introduced to the VOLVO B7R Mark 2, which was primarily introduced in India at that time. Upon being asked about the training, hosur further told that stress was given on Quality maintenance, Safety maintenance and also on environmental safety. The whole procedure of the training was based on presentations and on practical sessions. There were trainee's even from countries like Bangladesh, Australia and USA, Hosur further added. In the same year, NWKRTC Belgaum Division opened its VOLVO section as it received 2 VOLVO B7R Mark 2's for operating on Belgaum - Kolhapur - Belgaum - Tirupati route via Bangalore. From 2005 to 2008, the maintenance of the VOLVOs in the Belgaum depot was done on an Annual Maintenance Contract with a private firm M/s Lathangi VOLVO pvt Limited, Bangalore, which was providing VOLVO material to the depot. The tyre maintenance was only done by the depot technicians at that time. 

MR LIYAQAT ALI HOSUR IN HIS OFFICE AT VOLVO SECTION OF NWKRTC BELGAUM DEPOT 

In 2005, North Karnataka had only 4 VOLVO B7R Mark 2's with Hubli division getting 2 and Belgaum Division with 2 of them. From the year 2008, Belgaum division started getting materials and spare parts directly from VOLVO and became self dependent on maintenance with trained VOLVO technicians, Hosur added. The man force of the Belgaum depot also increased which in turn helped in keeping the vehicles well maintained in time. 

In the year 2010, VOLVO B9R multiaxles arrived in the Belgaum depot and also Mr Hosur was made the VOLVO In charge of the Belgaum Depot 1. From 2010 to 2014, Mr Hosur is in charge of the maintenance of the VOLVO B9R Multiaxles, VOLVO B7R Mark 2/Mark 3 Biaxles and also currently he is also in charge of the VOLVO 8400 low floor city bus, that has been recently brought in the depot. 
Upon being asked about the maintenance of VOLVOs, Hosur told that they generally do Engine maintenance, Air Conditioner maintenance, Electric and Electronic parts and Circuitry maintenance, Entertainment system maintenance, Clutch and Gear Section maintenance, and also Vehicle driving testing etc. He also further added that general meetings are held in the depot regarding discussions of availability and supply of VOLVO parts and also requirement of Man Power is also discussed when needed. 

When asked about future of VOLVO, Mr Hosur was quite optimistic and affirmative about VOLVO's bright future in India He was all praise for VOLVO's quality products and said he was looking forward for more quality vehicles from VOLVO. 
Upon being asked about Scania, he smiled and told he wanted to wait and see and is anxious to study more about the variants of Scania Metrolink HD currently introduced in Indian Market. 

It was indeed a very nice interview with Mr Liyaqat Ali Hosur, i am very happy to have met such knowledgeable people dealing with technical prospects of machinery and automobiles. I am thankful to Mr Hosur to have given time for me for this interview and also uncountable hours that he have spent with me in explaining the VOLVO B9R and its functioning of the spare parts. 
Its really a pleasure Mr Hosur to have you with us in Belgaum NWKRTC division as in charge. I wish him all the very best for a bright future.