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In a significant development for the Kashmir Valley, the first freight train from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has successfully arrived at the Anantnag Goods Terminal, marking a pivotal moment for the region's food supply chain. The train, which departed from Punjab's Firozpur division, delivered 1,384 tonnes of rice intended for storage and public distribution, enhancing economic ties between Punjab and Kashmir. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal emphasized that this operation will bolster infrastructure support and streamline the movement of essential commodities, traditionally reliant on the often-disrupted Srinagar–Jammu national highway. The introduction of rail transport is expected to reduce transit times and alleviate congestion on NH-44, which is frequently affected by landslides and winter closures. This milestone follows recent freight movements to Kashmir, including vehicles and cement, indicating a growing reliance on rail logistics in the region. 
Published: Dec 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a significant shift in energy trade dynamics, the United States has set a record for propane exports to India in 2025, with an average of 1,327 thousand barrels shipped from January to September, compared to 304 thousand barrels in 2023. This increase comes as India seeks to diversify its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports, traditionally dominated by West Asia, with over 90% of its LPG consumed by households. The Indian Oil Corporation and other major firms have secured a one-year contract to import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG annually from the US Gulf Coast, marking the first structured US LPG deal for India. This move not only supports India's energy needs but also strengthens trade relations with the US amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest that this growing energy partnership could stabilize bilateral ties, especially as India increases its overall energy imports from the US.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's exports to the US have shown a rebound in November, increasing by 22.61% to $6.98 billion, following a significant decline from May to September due to the introduction of higher tariffs. A report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) indicates that this recovery is not a sign of lasting improvement but rather a temporary adjustment to a tougher tariff regime. The decline in exports was attributed to uncertainty surrounding impending tariff hikes, which led to order delays and inventory reductions. Once the tariffs were confirmed, exporters and US buyers adapted by absorbing costs and shifting to less-affected products. Notably, sectors such as gems and jewellery, electronics, and machinery experienced sharp declines followed by partial recoveries. Despite the 50% tariffs imposed in late August, the unusual export pattern highlights the fragility of this rebound, driven by short-term coping strategies rather than sustainable growth.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inN K Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, emphasized the compatibility of democracy and development during his inaugural address at the 108th annual conference of the Indian Economic Association in Hyderabad. He highlighted India's economic journey, noting that while India and China had similar economic sizes until 1980, by 2023, China's per capita income had surged to 5.5 times that of India. Singh criticized India's historical approach to trade, which he described as rationed rather than expanded, contrasting it with the early liberalization of East Asian nations. He warned against repeating past mistakes and stressed the need for macroeconomic stability, advocating for cooperative federalism to align Union and State fiscal policies. The conference, organized by Osmania University's Department of Economics, also featured an exhibition of 108 cartoons by N Ravikanth, celebrating the event's significance.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndian Railways has introduced a groundbreaking safety initiative for trackside workers through the DOST (Delivering Occupational Safety on Track) system, developed by the Indian Institute of Science and the startup L2MRail. Launched on February 18, 2025, DOST provides real-time alerts about approaching trains and critical updates on block section statuses, significantly enhancing safety for over 700 workers across four railway zones. With plans to expand to 17 zones and nearly 7,000 stations in the next few years, DOST aims to address the alarming statistic of 361 railway worker fatalities in the past five years. The cloud-based system minimizes reliance on manual communication, offering synchronized notifications via smartphones and a central platform for monitoring operations. Workers, like a linesman in Kerala, have praised DOST for alleviating fears of oncoming trains, ensuring they can perform their duties with greater confidence and security.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inExporters are eagerly awaiting the release of detailed guidelines for the revamped Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES), which is expected this week. They are advocating for a subsidy rate of 5% for the MSME sector and 3% for all exporters, particularly in light of rising US tariffs and global uncertainties. However, the Finance Ministry appears hesitant to accommodate these requests, expressing concerns about the scheme's effectiveness in boosting exports. The IES, which provides subsidised credit to exporters, was discontinued at the end of 2024 but has been reinstated as part of a ₹22,060 crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) approved by the Cabinet. Alongside the IES, the Market Access Initiative (MAI) will also be revised. Despite a 2.62% increase in overall goods exports to $292 billion from April to November 2025, exporters remain uncertain about the level of support they will receive under the new guidelines.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPassengers will soon have the option to travel by helicopter and air taxi to and from Navi Mumbai airport, as the Adani Group plans to establish a heliport and vertiport in the area. This development, which is currently under consideration by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), aims to enhance connectivity between Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, and Pune without affecting existing airport operations. The Pune-Mumbai route is already a busy helicopter corridor, with 20-30 daily flights, and new routes bypassing the airport are set to be implemented. Industry experts believe the heliport will significantly benefit business travelers. Additionally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is working on a framework for integrating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into Indian airspace, with companies exploring the potential for air taxis in the future.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a new framework for the packaged drinking and mineral water sector, effective January 1, 2026, following the removal of the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification. This change aims to streamline compliance for water companies, which will now only need an FSSAI license. Under the new regulations, companies must conduct monthly microbiological testing of their products, with additional testing required every three months for other parameters. The FSSAI's decision to reclassify packaged water as a "high-risk" category necessitates third-party audits to ensure safety and quality. This amendment, gazetted on October 12, 2024, is part of a broader effort to enhance food safety standards in the Indian market, eliminating the need for dual certification from different regulatory bodies.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a bid to address rising operational costs, the Indian Ministry of Railways has announced a fare increase for ordinary class passengers, effective December 26, 2025. The new policy will see fares rise by one paise per kilometer for journeys exceeding 215 kilometers on non-AC mail and express trains, as well as all AC classes. However, there will be no fare hikes for suburban services or monthly season ticket holders, ensuring that daily commuters are not burdened. The fare adjustment comes as the Railways faces escalating operational costs, projected to reach ₹2,63,000 crore in 2024-25, driven by increased manpower and pension expenses. Despite these challenges, the Railways has expanded its network significantly and aims to enhance safety and efficiency, solidifying its position as the world's second-largest cargo-carrying railway.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAs the US grapples with a retail crisis, closing nearly 1,200 mall stores since 2020, India is witnessing a retail boom, according to real estate consultancy Anarock. While 40% of vacant US malls face rezoning, India's market is thriving, driven by robust consumer demand and heightened institutional investor confidence. Anarock's CEO, Anuj Kejriwal, forecasts over $3.5 billion in capital inflows into Indian malls over the next three years, with more than 88 foreign brands entering the market. The country's limited organized retail competition and a young consumer base are attracting global investors, as India's per capita retail stock remains among the lowest worldwide. With Grade-A malls achieving near-full occupancy and a resilient retail mix, India's consumption economy is projected to reach $6 trillion by 2030, contrasting sharply with the struggles of Western retail environments.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 5 pm
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