eznews.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 pmeznews.inIndia's renewable energy sector is undergoing a strategic shift as the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) reports that Central Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) have submitted bids for 5.6 GW, while state agencies have contributed 3.5 MW in 2025. With the country's renewable capacity expanding from under 35 GW in 2014 to over 197 GW today, the focus is now on system reforms and capacity absorption rather than mere expansion. The MNRE emphasizes the need for grid integration, energy storage, and market reforms to support the ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Despite global supply chain challenges, India continues to add 15-25 GW of renewable capacity annually. The policy landscape is evolving, with a shift towards tenders for renewable power with energy storage, aiming for a more resilient and integrated energy architecture that prioritizes quality and stability over sheer growth.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's automotive sector experienced a robust third quarter in 2025, with 30 transactions totaling $4.6 billion, marking its strongest performance in over a year, according to Grant Thornton Bharat's Automotive Dealtracker report. The surge in deal value was primarily driven by Tata Motors' significant $3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco S.P.A., one of the largest outbound automotive transactions in the country’s history. Excluding this deal, however, overall values fell by 36% from the previous quarter, indicating that major strategic moves are shaping the market. The report highlighted a strategic shift towards global expansion, electrification, and supply chain adjustments, with cross-border deals making up 71% of transaction volumes. Notably, private equity interest remained steady in tech-driven segments like electric mobility. As policy reforms and festive demand converge, experts predict continued momentum in alternative fuel technologies and auto-tech innovations.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA coalition of global aircraft lessors has urged India to revise draft aviation regulations that complicate the repossession of planes from financially distressed airlines. The proposed rules mandate that lessors must first settle outstanding employee wages and government taxes before reclaiming aircraft, a requirement the Aviation Working Group (AWG) deems impractical and potentially detrimental to timely repossessions. With around 80% of commercial jets in India leased, the country is a vital market for lessors, especially as airlines like Air India and IndiGo expand their fleets. The AWG, which includes major players like AerCap and Boeing, has expressed concerns that these rules could deter investment in India's aviation sector. Discussions between AWG representatives and Indian officials are expected in the coming weeks as the government seeks to balance regulatory oversight with the need to attract foreign investment in aviation.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAustralia has lifted its ban on unpeeled prawn imports from India, providing a much-needed opportunity for Indian prawn farmers facing significant losses due to high tariffs imposed by the United States. While the volumes of prawns imported by Australia are relatively low—38,000 tonnes in 2022—the move is seen as a strategic step for the Indian shrimp industry to diversify its export markets. Indian exporters will now compete with countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and China for this market. However, all shipments must undergo rigorous testing for white spot and yellow head diseases before and after arriving in Australia. Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh's Minister for IT and Human Resources, announced the first import approval during his visit to Australia, emphasizing that this development will help reduce reliance on the US market and boost India's aquaculture exports. The ban had been in place since 2016 due to previous virus detections.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 12 pm
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