Author: News Desk

Indian Railways is gearing up for one of its most awaited upgrades as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially shared a significant update on the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. These new trains, designed specifically for overnight travel, are now in the advanced stages of development, with trial runs expected to begin soon. Vaishnaw confirmed that manufacturing work is progressing rapidly, and the sleeper variant will feature improved comfort, upgraded interiors, and modern amenities tailored for long-distance passengers. Unlike the existing chair-car Vande Bharat models, the sleeper version will provide berths, making it ideal for premium overnight routes that currently rely on Rajdhani or…

Cochin Port Authority has launched an ambitious land monetisation plan, offering around 140 acres for long-term lease to developers looking to build commercial and hospitality projects, as reported by ET Infra. The move is expected to generate more than ₹500 crore in upfront revenue. The land is being broken into two parcels. A 55.3-acre plot, located south of NH-966B between Willingdon Island and the NH-66 at Kundannoor Junction, is already under tender. A second parcel of approximately 85 acres is expected to be offered soon. Under the tender, the land can be used for a wide variety of developments — hotels, convention centres, office complexes, sports stadiums, educational institutions,…

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is facing heightened scrutiny after a fatal crash involving a Tejas fighter aircraft during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. Early reports indicate that the incident had an immediate impact on investor sentiment, leading to a near 3 percent drop in HAL’s share value, reflecting growing concerns across the defence and aviation sectors. Analysts caution that a high-profile crash at an international platform could temporarily undermine confidence in HAL’s manufacturing and quality-control systems. With global buyers evaluating India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the mishap may influence ongoing and upcoming discussions on exports, especially for countries…

Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram has officially been granted a permanent Integrated Immigration Check Post (ICP), marking a major step toward elevating the port into a fully capable international maritime hub. The approval allows Vizhinjam to legally process immigration, customs clearance, crew arrivals and departures, and ship-related formalities, functions essential for global transshipment operations. With this, the port can now support smoother import–export container movement, aided by upgraded scanning systems and digital linkages to India’s national ICP network. Though Vizhinjam is not yet authorised as a full-fledged crew-change port, officials say the new immigration setup significantly strengthens its prospects for gaining that status…

Russia is offering India more than just a purchase deal for its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, it has proposed a full technology transfer, allowing India to build these jets locally. This offer could be a major boost to the Indian Air Force (IAF), helping it close its critical squadron strength gap while also advancing its long-term goal of defence self-reliance. By manufacturing the Su-57 in India, the IAF could leverage its existing infrastructure and reduce dependency on foreign spare parts. Technically, the Su-57 brings significant advantages: it offers supermaneuverability thanks to thrust-vectoring engines, sustained supersonic (“supercruise”) capability, and a robust weapons payload. While its stealth…

India has achieved a major milestone in its journey toward greater private-sector participation in the space industry, with the country’s first commercially built PSLV rocket now ready to launch the upcoming Oceansat mission. The historic launcher has been fully manufactured by a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)–Larsen & Toubro (L&T) consortium, marking the first time that the nation’s trusted PSLV has been built entirely by industry partners rather than ISRO. The project is part of a larger 2022 contract awarded by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) — the commercial arm of ISRO, which entrusted the HAL–L&T team with the end-to-end production of five PSLV-XL variants. This includes everything from manufacturing…

TiEcon Kerala 2025 opened at The Zuri, Kumarakom with a clear intent: bring the State’s startup community together and spark new ideas, new connections and new possibilities. The event has drawn founders, investors, mentors and business leaders from across India. Ranganathan’s Roadmap for Founders C K Ranganathan, Founder and Chairman of CavinKare, opened the sessions with a practical look at the six stages of an entrepreneur’s journey. He spoke about the confusion of the early phase, the need for structure and the importance of building systems that help a company grow. His main point was that founders should know where…

Russia has offered India a broad package of maritime cooperation, including joint shipbuilding, port infrastructure development, and maritime logistics, according to senior diplomatic discussions. At a recent meeting between Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev and Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Moscow proposed sharing existing or custom ship designs for fishing vessels, passenger ships, and auxiliary vessels. Russia highlighted its unmatched expertise in specialized vessels like ice-class ships and icebreakers, suggesting these could be jointly built to serve India’s strategic maritime interests. The two countries also discussed green shipbuilding, reflecting India’s increasing focus on sustainable maritime infrastructure. In addition, the talks covered deep-sea research capabilities and crew…

Wipro Electronics is moving rapidly to strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem with its upcoming ₹500 crore Printed Circuit Board (PCB) facility in Bengaluru North. The company has confirmed that the plant will become operational within the next nine months, marking a major milestone in its strategic expansion into high-value electronics production. The new unit will focus on manufacturing high-reliability, multi-layer PCBs that cater to fast-growing industries such as telecommunications, electric vehicles, industrial automation, consumer electronics, defense systems, and emerging IoT devices. With PCB demand rising sharply across sectors, this facility is expected to play a crucial role in reducing India’s reliance on imported components, an area…

PVR Ltd, one of India’s leading multiplex chains, has unveiled an ambitious growth roadmap for FY26 with plans to add nearly 100 new cinema screens across the country. This expansion is not just about increasing capacity, it reflects a strategic shift toward deep-market penetration, with a strong emphasis on tier-III cities, where the company sees growing enthusiasm for organised entertainment. The move comes at a time when consumer behaviour in smaller towns is rapidly evolving. Tier-III markets today are witnessing a noticeable rise in disposable income, improved connectivity, and exposure to diverse content through OTT platforms. As a result, audiences…