Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij informed the House about the successful return of Indian-origin American astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft


The House should express its happiness on Sunita Williams’ safe return, and she should be made aware of the resolution passed here – Anil Vij

The House should also extend its gratitude and appreciation to the NASA scientists who accomplished this challenging task – Vij

All members of the House welcomed the proposal with applause, supporting it unanimously

Chandigarh, March 19 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij took a positive initiative in the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly by informing the House about the successful return of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. He emphasized that the House should express its happiness over their safe return and ensure that Sunita Williams is informed about this resolution.

Addressing the Assembly, Sh. Vij said that at 3:27 AM today, good news arrived from space that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded in space for 9 months and 14 days due to spacecraft malfunctions, had finally returned safely. He explained that their mission was originally planned for 8 days, but technical issues forced them to remain in space for an extended period.

Sh. Vij further stated that Sunita Williams’ father hailed from Gujarat’s Pandya district, and she proudly acknowledges her Indian roots. She never forgets to carry a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and India’s iconic dish, samosas, with her on her space journeys. Given this strong connection, Sh.Vij proposed that the Haryana Assembly formally express its joy over her safe return and communicate the resolution to her.

He also added that “I would like to express our gratitude to the NASA scientists who worked tirelessly to accomplish this miraculous feat and ensured the astronauts’ safe return to Earth despite their prolonged stay in space.”

Notably, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on their space mission aboard Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024, as part of its first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). After being stranded for nine months, they successfully returned to Earth, landing in the Gulf of Mexico aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
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Tender amounting to Rs. 16.87 crores for replacement of worn out /obsolete, hanging and entangled wires has also been floated under RDSS Scheme in respect of old area of Panipat City - Energy Minister, Sh. Anil Vij

The work will be started after finalization of tendering process - Anil Vij

Chandigarh, March 19 - Haryana Energy Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that 8.3 CKm worn out / obsolete, hanging and entangled wires has been set right / replaced during 2024-25 under the jurisdiction of (OP) Sub-division City Panipat, Model Town Panipat & Sanoli Road Panipat. Tender amounting to Rs. 16.87 crores for replacement of worn out /obsolete, hanging and entangled wires has also been floated under RDSS Scheme in respect of old area of Panipat City and is under process. He said that the work will be started after finalization of tendering process and is likely to be completed within 12 months from the date of award.

Sh. Vij was replying to a question in ongoing budget session of Haryana Vidhan sabha today.

He said that new 33 kV/132 kV/220 kV Power Substations are being setup as per the increasing demand of electricity in Panipat. The work has already been awarded. New substations likely to be setup, in which 33 kV/132 kV / 220 kV Substations under construction, likely to be completed within the year 2025-26. He said that 33 kV Substation Sanoli Road-II on 31/03/2025, 33 kV Substation Assandh Road on 31/03/2025, 33 kV Substation Mehrana on 03/09/2025 and 132 kV Substation Sector-18, Panipat will be commissioned shortly. He said that 132 kV Substation Jattal on 31/10/2025 and 220 kV Substation Nain on 31/10/2025 were also included.

He said that 33 kV Substations likely to be commissioned within 18 months after land is secured. In which 33 kV Substation Sector-25 (Part-1), 33 kV Substation Saudapur and 33 kV Substation Sondhapur were included. Similarly, 33 kV Substations approved as per load requirements likely to be created in FY 2026-27, in which 33 kV Substation Kabri-3 (2x12.5) and 33 kV Substation Noorwala (2x12.5) has been included.