Author: News Desk
Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) is set to raise around ₹1,500 crore to support operations and development across six airports it manages, according to company filings. The capital raise may come through a mix of debt and equity, providing financial flexibility for ongoing projects and future expansions. AAHL, a unit of Adani Group, operates a portfolio of major airports including economic and international hubs, and the planned fundraise is aimed at strengthening balance sheet capacity while supporting capex plans and service enhancements. The move aligns with the company’s growth strategy to improve facilities, upgrade infrastructure and enhance passenger experience across its airport network. The plan underlines continued private investment…
Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is on track to secure a significant contract from the Indian Navy for the construction of six large survey vessels in a deal estimated to be worth approximately ₹6,000 crore, according to industry sources. The state-run shipbuilder emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the tender by quoting below ₹1,000 crore per vessel, giving it a competitive edge in the procurement process. The Indian Navy is expected to formally announce the bid outcome soon and declare the winning shipyard. Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding was reported as the second-lowest bidder in the contest. If confirmed, this contract would further bolster Cochin Shipyard’s position in India’s defence shipbuilding landscape and…
The Union government has allocated ₹1,418.51 crore to Kerala for fisheries development over the past five years, Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh told the Lok Sabha. The funds were approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme aimed at sustainable growth of the fisheries sector, enhancing infrastructure, productivity and fisherfolk incomes. Projects supported include provision of 20 deep sea fishing vessels, installation of 42 artificial reefs along the coast to rejuvenate stock, 1,140 alternate livelihood initiatives such as bivalve cultivation, and 740 biofloc units that help increase aquaculture yields. Integrated and climate-resilient fishing villages have also been developed to strengthen coastal infrastructure and community resilience. The government highlighted environmental safeguards in offshore…
The Kerala High Court has granted an interim stay on a liquor naming and logo contest floated in connection with a proposed premium brandy linked to Kerala State Beverages (Manufacturing and Marketing) Corporation (BEVCO) and Malabar Distilleries Ltd. The order came while considering two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) that challenged the legality of the initiative. The petitioners contended that inviting public participation to name and design branding for a liquor product amounts to indirect advertisement and violates Section 55H of the Kerala Abkari Act, which prohibits advertisements and solicitations that encourage liquor consumption. They argued that a government-owned entity associating itself with such a promotional exercise could run contrary…
In a major push to strengthen national security, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared defence procurements worth ₹3.6 lakh crore. The approvals mark one of the largest military modernisation drives in India’s history and aim to significantly enhance combat readiness across air and maritime domains. The centrepiece of the package is the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The jets are expected to boost the IAF’s squadron strength and enhance its capability to conduct precision strikes, air superiority missions and deep penetration operations amid evolving regional security challenges. In…
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility has officially launched the Mahindra UDO, a futuristic electric three-wheeler that blends style, performance and practicality for India’s booming last-mile segment. The vehicle draws inspiration from aircraft design, reflected in its aerodynamic silhouette and bold aesthetics, and is positioned as an “autoplane” that redefines the everyday auto-rickshaw experience. The name “UDO,” meaning “to fly” in Hindi, underscores the brand’s focus on elevated comfort and driving dynamics. Priced at an introductory ₹3.59 lakhs (ex-showroom), down from the standard ₹3,84,299 for a limited period, the UDO boasts a real-world range of around 200 km and an ARAI-certified range of up to 265 km,…
E-commerce major Flipkart is gearing up to enter India’s highly competitive online food delivery market, with a pilot project planned in Bengaluru between May and June 2026. The Walmart-owned company is currently evaluating whether to build a dedicated food delivery platform of its own or operate through the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The move could position Flipkart as a direct challenger to established players Zomato and Swiggy, which currently dominate India’s food-tech ecosystem. Industry estimates value the sector at nearly $9 billion, with strong growth expected over the next several years driven by rising urban demand and digital adoption. Flipkart’s potential entry signals intensifying…
Indian Railways’ push for rapid electrification has sharply reduced diesel consumption, lowered dependence on imported crude oil, and expanded cleaner rail operations across the country. According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, electrification now covers around 99.4% of the Broad Gauge network, with the remaining sections slated for completion soon. Between 2016-17 and 2024-25, Indian Railways saved 178 crore litres of diesel—a 62% reduction—thanks to the shift toward electric traction, which is both environmentally friendly and more cost-efficient than alternatives like bio-diesel. The pace of electrification has accelerated dramatically in recent years: while about 21,801 route kilometres were electrified over nearly…
China will take part in India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, marking a significant step in regional technology diplomacy and supporting India’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in global AI governance. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, will bring together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders at a time when AI cooperation is closely intertwined with geopolitics. India’s Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, said China’s participation reflects improving bilateral engagement, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin. In a statement on WeChat,…
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss plans for scaling up the company’s operations in India as part of the Viksit Bharat initiative. Prime Minister Modi described the meeting as “wonderful” in a post on X and welcomed Rolls-Royce’s commitment to expanding its activities in India and collaborating with the country’s innovative youth. In a statement, Rolls-Royce highlighted that the discussion focused on expanding its Global Capability Centre (GCC) to become the largest globally, co-developing complex manufacturing processes, and building high-value engineering capabilities in India. The meeting underscores Rolls-Royce’s intent to strengthen its footprint…