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Bus service aggregators in India, such as redBus and AbhiBus, are enhancing their offerings through strategic partnerships, innovative features, and targeted digital campaigns to attract diverse customer segments. AbhiBus recently introduced a filter for booking trips based on bus age, while redBus launched a feature for booking connecting buses when direct routes are unavailable. Both platforms are expanding their inventory by onboarding state transport providers, including the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation. AbhiBus has reported a 56% year-on-year increase in bookings from the 18-30 age group, particularly in cities like Indore and Lucknow. Revenue from bus operations surged 93% to ₹76.6 crore in Q1 FY26, driven by rising customer demand. The Indian bus industry is projected to exceed ₹1 lakh crore by 2026, with significant growth potential as only 20% of bookings are currently made online, indicating a digital inflection point in the sector. 
Published: Oct 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAn Indonesian delegation is set to visit India at the end of October to address the suspension of Indian groundnut imports, which was enacted on September 3 due to concerns over aflatoxin contamination. The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) confirmed that Indonesia has responded to India's outreach regarding the issue. Trade analysts anticipate that the visit will lead to the resumption of imports, contingent on the delegation's satisfaction with Indian export processes. Exporters have raised concerns about Indonesia's delayed notification of aflatoxin issues and its testing standards, which they argue do not align with World Trade Organization guidelines. Indonesia is a significant market for Indian groundnuts, accounting for a third of exports, and the suspension could cost India approximately ₹410 crore ($46.65 million) in lost revenue. As the kharif harvest begins, Indian exporters are eager to resume shipments amid ongoing challenges in agricultural export markets.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 11 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved the construction of a fourth railway line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, spanning 30.02 km, with an initial cost of ₹714 crore and an estimated completion cost of ₹757 crore. The Southern Railway will execute the project, aimed at alleviating congestion on the heavily utilized three-line stretch, which currently operates at 87% capacity, projected to rise to 136% without intervention. The new line will enhance suburban connectivity, particularly benefiting daily commuters, students, and professionals in the rapidly developing areas of Tambaram, Guduvancheri, and Chengalpattu. Additionally, it is expected to generate 1.3 million tonnes of freight traffic annually, yielding ₹157 crore in extra earnings, as it serves numerous industrial units in the region. The project has received endorsements from key Railway Board officials and is part of the broader 'Energy, Mineral & Cement Corridor' initiative.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Department of Food and Public Distribution has called on edible oil manufacturers and processors to register and submit monthly returns as required by the amended Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (VOPPA) Order 2025. This regulatory change aims to enhance oversight and transparency within India's edible oil sector. The department noted that many units have already complied by registering on the National Single Window System and regularly submitting their production and stock data. Non-compliance will be treated as a violation, with potential penalties under the amended VOPPA Order and the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. To enforce compliance, the department plans to conduct inspections and field verifications of non-compliant units. This initiative is crucial for accurate data collection, real-time monitoring, and improved policy planning, ultimately supporting national food security and supply chain resilience.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Ministry of Road Transport has announced that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSV) across 23 states, covering approximately 21,000 km of National Highways. This initiative aims to improve the riding experience for commuters by systematically collecting and analyzing road inventory and pavement condition data. NHAI has invited bids from qualified companies to implement this project, which utilizes advanced sensors and data acquisition systems to identify road deficiencies and inform maintenance and infrastructure planning. The data will be uploaded to NHAI’s AI-based portal, Data Lake, for analysis by experts, ensuring that insights lead to actionable improvements. The NSV system employs 3D laser technology and high-resolution cameras to automatically detect road defects, with surveys scheduled every six months to maintain up-to-date records for effective asset management.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Kochi Shipbuilding Summit 2025, inaugurated by Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Ltd., aims to position India as a global leader in shipbuilding by 2047. Jointly organized with the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), the summit emphasized leveraging India's skilled workforce and robust economy to rank among the world's top five shipbuilding nations. Key discussions focused on collaboration, innovation, and investment, with D. Dhanuraj of CPPR stressing the need for synergy between industry and academia to foster research and skill development. A panel moderated by R. P. Pradhan featured experts who explored strategies to enhance competitiveness through financial reforms and technology adoption. The summit also highlighted the significance of sustainable practices and called for ongoing cooperation among government, industry, and academia to transform India into a global maritime hub, aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India, in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has unveiled the ‘Future Farming in India’ playbook as part of its ‘AI for India 2030’ initiative. This playbook aims to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence (AI) potential and its practical application for farmers, offering a roadmap to enhance crop yields, mitigate risks, and improve market access. Central to the strategy is the IMPACT AI framework, which comprises three pillars: ‘enable’ focuses on government-led foundational support; ‘create’ emphasizes industry collaboration for scalable AI solutions; and ‘deliver’ ensures accessibility of these solutions to farmers. The initiative also includes an ‘AI Playbook for SMEs’ and a white paper on the ‘AI Sandbox’ ecosystem, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in agriculture and small enterprises, as noted by key stakeholders.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAn Air India flight bound for Newark was forced to return to Mumbai shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. The Boeing 777, which departed at approximately 1:50 AM on October 22, was airborne for over three hours before safely landing back in Mumbai. The airline confirmed that the crew made a precautionary decision to return, and the aircraft is currently undergoing inspections. As a result of the incident, flights AI191 and AI144, which were scheduled to operate between Newark and Mumbai, have been cancelled. Affected passengers in Mumbai have been provided with hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative flights. Passengers on AI144 from Newark have also been informed of the cancellation and are receiving assistance for their travel arrangements. The number of passengers impacted has not been disclosed.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Darjeeling tea industry is facing a significant decline in production, exacerbated by recent landslides and severe weather conditions. Production, which stood at 9.14 million kg in 2011, has plummeted to an anticipated 5 million kg this year, marking an all-time low. The Indian Tea Exporters Association (ITEA) Chairman Anshuman Kanoria highlighted that 27 of the 71 operational gardens were severely affected by landslides on October 4 and 5, with thousands of tea bushes destroyed. The adverse weather has also led to a shortage of available workers, further complicating recovery efforts. Exports, which typically hover around 3-3.5 million kg annually, are expected to remain stagnant this year despite improved prices in overseas markets. The Darjeeling Tea Association has urged West Bengal's Chief Minister for support to help the industry recover from the devastating impacts of the natural calamity.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Tobacco Board has announced that all manufacturers, exporters, processors, dealers, and packers in the tobacco industry must register or renew their registrations for 2026 by November 30. According to a notice, this annual registration is mandated under Section 12 of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. New applicants have until November 1 to submit their applications, while renewals can be filed until the end of the month. All submissions must be completed online via the Tobacco Board portal, as manual applications will not be accepted. To qualify for renewal, traders must have submitted required statutory returns on time and must not have breached any provisions of the Act or its regulations. The Board has cautioned that operating without a valid license or engaging in unauthorized tobacco transactions will lead to legal action as stipulated by the Act.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 4 pm
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