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In October, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) reported a significant ridership of 93.27 lakh passengers, reflecting a steady increase in demand for its services. In response, CMRL has initiated a tender to procure 168 new cars for 28 six-car trainsets, expanding from the current four-car configuration. This procurement is expected to take over two years. Notably, ridership figures surpassed 1 crore in both July and September, prompting calls for larger train capacities during peak hours. Currently, CMRL operates 52 trainsets under its Phase 1 and Phase 1 Extension projects. Additionally, a contract for 32 driverless three-car trains has been awarded to Alstom Transport India, with the first delivery anticipated by February 2027. Looking ahead, the Phase II expansion aims to extend the metro network by 118.9 km with 128 stations, at an estimated cost of ₹63,246 crore, and is projected for completion by the end of 2028. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has extended the proposed Cotton Productivity Mission's tenure from five to ten years, following recommendations from the Prime Minister’s Office. The mission, announced in the 2025-26 Budget, aims to enhance cotton farming productivity and sustainability, with an initial budget of approximately Rs 5,000 crore. However, the Ministry of Textiles is facing challenges as its proposals for modernising ginning factories have been rejected by the Department of Expenditure and Niti Aayog. The Department has also advised that the mission be restructured as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, sharing costs with states, and has raised concerns about overlaps with other agricultural initiatives. As cotton production has declined, with estimates for 2025-26 at 30.5 million bales, experts suggest that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research should expedite the proposal to the PMO to resolve ongoing bottlenecks.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndiGo has announced an $820 million investment aimed at expanding its fleet ownership and diversifying aircraft financing. The funds will be allocated to its subsidiary, InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Private Ltd., through a mix of equity shares and convertible preference shares. This strategic move is designed to enhance capital efficiency, mitigate supply chain risks, and achieve long-term cost savings, with a goal of increasing the proportion of owned and finance-leased aircraft to 30-40% by 2030. Currently, IndiGo operates over 417 aircraft, including models from Airbus, Boeing, and ATR, and has more than 900 planes on order, with deliveries scheduled until 2035. The airline's robust balance sheet, featuring ₹38,500 crore in free cash, positions it well to navigate market challenges and make informed decisions regarding fleet ownership.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has unveiled the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025, a key initiative aimed at achieving a target of ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports by 2030. Alongside this framework, the government introduced several other initiatives, including standard operating procedures for mariculture and guidelines for developing fishing harbours and aquaculture management. Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the need for innovation and global partnerships to enhance export competitiveness, urging stakeholders to improve packaging and certification standards. The fisheries sector has seen significant growth, with production doubling to 195 lakh tonnes over the past decade, supported by ₹38,572 crore in investments. The new traceability framework aims to create a digital system for tracking seafood from production to consumption, integrating technologies like blockchain and IoT, while ensuring inclusivity for small-scale fishers.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFarmers in North Karnataka are intensifying protests demanding the procurement of maize at the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,400 per quintal, as current prices have plummeted to around ₹1,814 per quintal. In response, Chief Minister Siddaramiah announced that the state government will support maize growers by engaging with major distilleries and the poultry industry to boost purchases for ethanol production and meet demand. He emphasized the need to restrict maize imports, citing sufficient domestic production, and criticized distilleries for stockpiling maize during low-price periods, which has led to reduced procurement. Despite guidelines from the Union Ministry of Food for procurement under the MSP scheme, agencies like Nafed and NCCF have yet to initiate the process, exacerbating the crisis. The government plans to urge the central authorities to curb imports and expedite the procurement of 8 lakh tonnes of maize to stabilize market prices.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inSwiggy has significantly expanded its 'Food on Train' service to 122 railway stations across India, responding to strong customer demand. The company has also increased the pre-order window for meals from 24 hours to 96 hours, allowing travellers greater flexibility in planning their meals. New stations added to the service include Anantpur, Madurai, Alwar, Kozhikode, Khurda Road, Yesvantpur, and Gonda. This expansion aims to enhance the travel experience, particularly during the festive season, enabling passengers to enjoy local culinary delights while on the move. Deepak Maloo, Swiggy's Vice President for food strategy, highlighted the initiative's goal of making it easier for travellers to access their favourite meals. The announcement reflects Swiggy's commitment to improving customer convenience and satisfaction in the food delivery sector.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a significant pre-Budget consultation for FY27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged with leading figures from the infrastructure and energy sectors in New Delhi. The meeting, attended by executives from prominent companies such as Afcons, Shapoorji Pallonji, GMR Group, and JM BAXI, aimed to gather insights ahead of the Union Budget presentation scheduled for February 1, 2026. Key officials from the ministries of Power, Shipping, and Roads, along with the Railway Board and the Chief Economic Adviser, also participated. The upcoming Budget will need to navigate geopolitical challenges, including a steep 50% US tariff on Indian shipments, while focusing on stimulating demand, job creation, and sustaining economic growth, which the government projects to be between 6.3% and 6.8% for the current fiscal year.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAn Indian Air Force (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas tragically crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, resulting in the death of the pilot, the IAF confirmed. The incident occurred in the afternoon as the aircraft was performing a demonstration, with dramatic footage showing it losing altitude before crashing and igniting a large fireball, sending black smoke into the sky. The IAF expressed deep condolences for the loss of life and announced a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident. This incident marks the second crash involving the LCA Tejas, following a previous accident in March 2024. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, along with other military officials, extended their sympathies to the bereaved family. The airshow, attended by thousands, showcased various military and civilian aircraft, highlighting the significance of the event in the aviation calendar.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft utilized by the Indian Air Force, crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show on Friday at approximately 2:10 PM local time. Eyewitnesses reported seeing black smoke billowing over Al Maktoum International Airport as emergency sirens sounded in response to the incident. It remains unclear whether the pilot successfully ejected or if there were any injuries among the crowd of spectators. The biennial Dubai Air Show, which is currently taking place, has been notable for significant aircraft orders from major airlines, including Emirates and FlyDubai. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols during such high-profile aviation events. Further details are awaited as investigations into the crash commence.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inKerala's ambitious Export Promotion Policy 2025 aims to establish the state as a competitive export hub, targeting $20 billion in exports by 2027-28, as announced by A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary (Industries). At a recent seminar hosted by the Export-Import Bank of India, Hanish highlighted Kerala's governance and business reforms, which have earned it the top rank in Ease of Doing Business. M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, introduced a new Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters to bolster resilience amid global trade uncertainties, particularly benefiting MSMEs and first-time exporters. Harsha Bangari, Managing Director of Exim Bank, emphasized the Asia-Pacific region's growing role in global trade and the importance of intra-regional trade. The seminar also featured discussions on trade dynamics and sustainable investment, with participation from various Export Credit Agencies and Development Finance Institutions across the Asia-Pacific.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 5 pm
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