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BEML Ltd has announced a significant ₹157 crore contract to produce 15 sets (30 cars) of Switch Rail Grinding Machines for Loram Rail Maintenance India Private Ltd, a leader in rail maintenance technology. These machines, intended for Indian Railways, are essential for the upkeep of railway switches and crossings, which are particularly susceptible to wear. Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director of BEML, emphasized that this order represents a key step in enhancing India's rail infrastructure with advanced, homegrown solutions. The high-performance machines aim to minimize maintenance downtime, extend the lifecycle of rail assets, and improve overall rail operations. This development underscores the ongoing commitment to modernizing India's railway system. The announcement was made on December 4, 2025. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a significant initiative to provide fresh milk to Indian Army personnel stationed in remote areas, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is establishing a solar-powered milk processing plant in Kargil, capable of processing 10,000 litres daily. This facility, one of the highest-altitude renewable-energy dairy plants in India, aims to meet part of the Army's daily requirement of 20,000 litres. NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah highlighted the project's collaboration with the Ladakh UT Dairy Cooperative Federation and the Central government's approval for a ₹12.6 crore grant towards the ₹25 crore unit. The new plant will complement an existing 5,000-litre facility in Leh, which has been operational since February 2024. NDDB's innovative approach includes specially designed vans for milk collection from remote villages, enhancing supply efficiency and supporting local farmers. This initiative reflects NDDB's commitment to improving dairy infrastructure in challenging terrains while ensuring the Army receives fresh milk.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe European Union (EU) is poised to implement restrictions on rice imports from India and other Asian nations to safeguard its domestic growers and millers, despite ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with India. A new "specific automatic safeguard mechanism" will be introduced, which will activate if rice imports exceed historical averages, imposing most-favoured-nation tariffs to protect the EU market. This legislation, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, follows a significant increase in rice imports from countries like India and Pakistan, raising concerns about market dynamics shifting towards an oligopoly. The EU's rice production has declined by 10% over the past two decades, prompting calls from the Federation of European Rice Millers for higher tariffs on imported rice to mitigate perceived market distortions. Meanwhile, eight European rice-producing countries have formed an alliance, EURice, to address trade challenges collaboratively.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is shifting its focus to encourage states to initiate their own renewable energy (RE) bids, as the Centre-controlled Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) face a backlog of nearly 44 GW of projects without buyers. MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi highlighted that states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are becoming key players in the country's RE growth by tailoring tenders to meet local needs. As of September 2025, REIAs had issued letters of award for 43.942 GW, but power sale agreements remain unsigned. Sarangi noted that the demand for renewable energy is set to rise alongside electricity needs, emphasizing the importance of state participation. He acknowledged challenges in grid integration and the necessity for enhanced battery storage, while also pointing to the significant contributions of distributed renewable energy initiatives, which are adding 12-15 GW annually.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has instructed IndiGo to stabilize its operations and develop a staggered recruitment plan amid ongoing flight disruptions linked to the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). The directive follows the airline's recent cancellation of hundreds of flights, attributed primarily to rostering constraints under the new FDTL regulations, which came into effect on November 1, 2025. A senior government official indicated that IndiGo requires significantly more than its current workforce of over 5,000 pilots to meet operational demands. In response, IndiGo has begun adjusting its schedules and has arranged accommodations for affected passengers. Meanwhile, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India has raised concerns about the airline's planning and regulatory oversight, suggesting that airlines had ample time to prepare for the new norms but delayed necessary adjustments. The government expects airlines to submit comprehensive manpower plans to ensure compliance with FDTL requirements.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndiGo Airlines faced significant operational disruptions on December 3, 2025, leading to the cancellation of over 300 flights due to a pilot shortage. Major airports, including Indira Gandhi International in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, reported widespread cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers. In Pune, the situation worsened as other airlines experienced delays due to full parking bays caused by IndiGo's issues, resulting in the diversion of six flights. Compounding the airline's troubles, an IndiGo Airbus A320 made an emergency landing in Mumbai following a bomb scare, while a shortage of ground staff further hampered operations. IndiGo's on-time performance plummeted to 19.7% on Wednesday, down from 35% the previous day. The airline attributed the disruptions to unforeseen challenges, including technology glitches and adverse weather, and announced plans to adjust schedules over the next 48 hours to restore stability and assist affected customers.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to enhance trade relations, the Kerala Exporters Forum, led by Secretary Munshid Ali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by President Gokarna Garki, during a visit to Nepal. The agreement aims to facilitate the import of quality vegetables, honey, and other perishables from Nepal to meet the demands of Kerala exporters serving Middle Eastern markets. Minister for Industry and Tourism Mitralal Batsyal highlighted the need for improved connectivity, specifically requesting Nepal Airlines to establish routes to Calicut and Cochin airports, which would not only streamline shipments but also promote tourism from Kerala to Nepal. The meeting also called for the establishment of a free customs zone in Nepal to enhance cargo transshipment, while Kerala exporters extended an invitation to Nepalese officials to explore the tourism potential of Kerala's attractions.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, farmer Shivaji Kurhe has revolutionized his income by offering a unique farm-to-doorstep turmeric service. By grinding turmeric on-site as per customer orders, Kurhe has increased his daily sales from 20 to 50 kilograms, earning Rs 300 per kilogram compared to the Rs 130 offered by traders. This direct selling model not only boosts farmers' earnings but also reduces their reliance on loan waivers, as Kurhe emphasizes the importance of reaching consumers directly. Customers appreciate the purity and transparency of Kurhe's product, with buyers like Sandhya Waghmare praising the organic quality and freshness of the turmeric, which they believe is less likely to be adulterated than market alternatives. Kurhe advocates for improved government support, particularly in providing reliable power supply for irrigation, to help more farmers adopt similar practices.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's central government faces challenges in managing nearly 50 gigawatts (GW) of unsold renewable power, primarily due to unfinished transmission infrastructure, regulatory delays, and state power utilities' hesitance to sign purchase agreements amid higher costs. Despite calls from industry representatives to halt new state clean energy projects and utilize existing unsold capacity, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, emphasized that state tenders will be crucial for future clean energy initiatives. He noted that these tenders are tailored to meet specific state requirements, marking a shift from the previous model where federal agencies played a central role. Concerns over transmission delays and the reliability of power delivery have contributed to state utilities' reluctance to engage with federal projects. Nevertheless, Sarangi highlighted the importance of clean energy in meeting rising electricity demand, particularly with the growth of data centers, as India aims to double its non-fossil fuel power output to 500 GW by 2030.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to see a significant increase in renewable energy capacity, with expectations of 60-80 GW coming from commercial and industrial developers by 2030, according to Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Speaking at the India Edge Event, Sarangi highlighted the growing trend of rooftop solar installations and noted that states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are leading the way in renewable energy initiatives. He emphasized the need for enhanced storage solutions and battery systems to address integration challenges within the grid. As electricity demand surges, the role of states in facilitating renewable energy projects will become increasingly vital. Additionally, Sarangi mentioned the rising costs of grey ammonia and the government's efforts to establish green hydrogen production facilities. The Ministry is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to renewable energy, holding regular meetings with industry representatives.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 3 pm
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