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India's aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched a comprehensive review aimed at simplifying regulatory procedures and enhancing efficiency within the civil aviation sector. This initiative comes as aviation activity in India is on the rise, encompassing aircraft induction and aerodrome development. The reform process, divided into regulatory and process phases, seeks to align existing rules with international standards by soliciting feedback from industry stakeholders, including airlines and aerodrome operators. Proposed measures include the establishment of sector-specific committees to identify bottlenecks, streamline approvals, and rationalise documentation. Additionally, the review will enhance digital systems for regulatory transactions, focusing on simplifying online workflows and improving user support tools. Other considerations include the potential for self-attestation and third-party certification in certain areas, as well as delegating specific approvals to regional offices, all aimed at reducing compliance burdens and improving operational efficiency. 
Published: Feb 18 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has allocated ₹15,385 crore for the development of National Highways in Maharashtra for the current financial year, as announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha. Currently, 116 highway projects, covering 2,612 km, are underway in the state, with a total estimated cost of ₹57,360 crore. Among these, 39 projects involve widening National Highways to four lanes or more, requiring an investment of ₹42,468 crore. Additionally, two projects spanning 374 km have been sanctioned for development in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ahilyanagar, and Latur districts, costing ₹19,142 crore. To ensure efficient project execution, the government has implemented monitoring mechanisms and conducts regular review meetings with stakeholders, particularly focusing on projects delayed by over three years. Coordination meetings led by state Chief Secretaries also aim to resolve issues impacting road project execution.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 2 pmeznews.inMaharashtra showcased its innovative use of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, where the Agriculture Department unveiled the "Agriculture Compendium." This publication highlights the state's successful integration of AI technologies, aimed at modernizing and sustaining farming practices. The AI system 'Mahavistar' currently assists over 2.2 million farmers, particularly benefiting rural women, including those who are illiterate, through its voice-first interface in local Marathi dialects. The Compendium also features initiatives like portable soil-testing devices 'Vasudha' and 'Neopark,' which provide accurate on-field soil analysis, and 'SatSource,' which offers digital credit scores for farmers, facilitating quick access to loans. As a result, over 40,000 small farmers have secured loans exceeding ₹1,700 million, boosting productivity by 20 to 32 percent. The summit recognized Maharashtra's commitment to leveraging AI for agricultural welfare, solidifying its position as a leader in technology-driven farming.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's oilmeal exports plummeted by 42.5% in January 2026, with total shipments falling to 260,000 tonnes from 452,000 tonnes in January 2025, primarily due to significant declines in soybean and rapeseed meal exports. Soybean meal exports dropped to 132,000 tonnes from 286,000 tonnes, while rapeseed meal fell to 64,782 tonnes from 131,000 tonnes. For the April-January 2025-26 period, total oilmeal exports decreased by 10%, amounting to 3.235 million tonnes compared to 3.603 million tonnes the previous year. BV Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, noted that reduced rapeseed crushing has limited oil and oilmeal processing until new crop supplies arrive. Meanwhile, rapeseed meal prices have risen, currently quoted at ₹20,300 per tonne. Major importers included South Korea, China, and Bangladesh, with significant declines in their respective imports from India.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 2 pmeznews.inA delegation from Meghalaya has made its inaugural appearance at BIOFACH 2026, the renowned organic food and agriculture trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, positioning the state as a burgeoning organic sourcing hub in Northeast India. The event provided a vital platform for Meghalaya to showcase its comprehensive organic ecosystem, which includes certification systems, farmer collectivisation, and export-oriented value chains. Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary to the Meghalaya government, presented the state's community-driven organic development roadmap, emphasizing its commitment to ecological sustainability and market integration. The participation of local farmers aimed to enhance their understanding of global standards and facilitate direct connections to international markets. Meghalaya's pavilion featured certified organic products like ginger, turmeric, and sticky rice, attracting global buyers and certification bodies. Collaborations with partners showcased value-added products, reflecting the state's transition towards diversified, export-ready organic offerings in response to global demand.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia and the United Kingdom have launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce, aimed at providing strategic leadership for the development of offshore wind energy ecosystems. Indian Minister of New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted that India has added over 35 gigawatts (GW) of solar and 4.61 GW of wind capacity this financial year, achieving 50% of its cumulative power capacity from non-fossil sources five years ahead of its 2030 target. The taskforce, established under the India-UK Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue, seeks to leverage the UK's expertise in offshore wind to enhance India's growing clean energy sector, particularly in promising zones off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised India's progress, while Danish Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen expressed enthusiasm for participating in the taskforce, which aims to harness India's offshore wind potential of over 70 GW.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 1 pmeznews.inA significant weather system, driven by active western disturbances, has enveloped North-West and Central India, extending to West Madhya Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan has generated moisture, clouds, and precipitation across the region, with another disturbance following closely behind. This mid-February weather pattern is expected to bring isolated rain and snow to Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, while thunderstorms and gusty winds may affect Haryana and Rajasthan. Hailstorms are also possible in parts of Punjab, Haryana, and East Rajasthan. Additionally, a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal is anticipated to intensify, potentially bringing rain to southern India, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, over the next few days. The IMD forecasts scattered rainfall across various regions, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Nicobar Islands.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 11 ameznews.inAdani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with France’s Port of Marseille Fos to enhance collaboration on trade facilitation, port innovation, and energy transition, thereby bolstering the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The agreement aims to establish an IMEC Ports Club to coordinate key ports along the 6,000-km multimodal corridor, which integrates maritime routes, rail networks, and clean-energy pathways, ultimately streamlining cargo movement between India and the European Union. APSEZ’s Mundra and Hazira ports will serve as the eastern gateway, while Marseille Fos will enhance the western European gateway, adding 70 million tonnes of capacity. A significant aspect of the pact is the development of a Green Maritime Corridor focusing on sustainable practices. The MoU, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, positions both nations as pivotal players in a burgeoning transcontinental trade network.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia faces significant challenges in exporting wheat due to domestic prices exceeding global market rates, according to traders and analysts. The government has set the minimum support price for wheat at ₹2,585 per quintal, a rise of ₹160 from the previous year. Following the lifting of a four-year export ban, India is permitted to ship 2.5 million tonnes of wheat, yet current domestic prices range from ₹25,200 to ₹25,500 per tonne, translating to $305-310 per tonne when factoring in freight costs. In contrast, global wheat prices hover around $260 per tonne. While Indian wheat has a premium in the Middle East, the price disparity makes it less competitive. The best export option may be to Bangladesh, where costs could be lower. With record stockpiles and a good upcoming crop, analysts question India's ability to compete in the international market without government subsidies.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 9 pmeznews.inBangalore's Kempegowda International Airport has reported a significant increase in rose stem shipments during the Valentine’s season, with over 60 million stems transported, reflecting a 38% year-on-year rise in volume and a 64% increase in tonnage. The total weight of shipments exceeded 2,700 metric tonnes, distributed across 26 international and 47 domestic destinations. Notably, international shipments reached 305 MT, with Singapore as the top destination, followed by Kuala Lumpur and New York. New routes this season included Los Angeles and London Gatwick. Domestic shipments surged to 2,402 MT, a 79% increase, with Delhi and Kolkata leading demand. The airport's enhanced cargo infrastructure, including cold chain facilities and real-time tracking, has facilitated this growth, underscoring its role in perishable exports. In 2025, the airport handled 520,985 MT of cargo and served over 43.82 million passengers, marking a milestone of 350 million cumulative passengers since its inception.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 9 pm
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