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Gujarat Pipavav Port, NYK India sign MoU for RoRo upgrade

In a significant move to enhance its operational capacity, Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NYK India Private Limited to upgrade its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) infrastructure. This initiative aims to increase the port's handling capacity to 500,000 cars annually while focusing on reducing dwell time and improving logistics efficiency. The partnership will also facilitate better vessel-rail synchronisation to accommodate rising rail volumes. The port has already seen a 39% increase in RoRo units, handling 99,000 in the first half of the fiscal year, compared to 71,000 during the same period last year. With major clients like Maruti Suzuki and Honda Motors, Pipavav Port anticipates a growth of 20-25% in RoRo volumes for the current fiscal year. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 1 pm

Airbus lowers delivery target due to jet issues

Airbus SE has revised its aircraft delivery target for 2025, reducing it by 3.7% to 790 jets, down from an earlier goal of 820, due to quality issues with its A320 model. The company disclosed that 628 jets have fuselage panels that do not meet specifications, with 168 already in service. Airbus is currently inspecting all affected aircraft, although it anticipates that many panels will conform to standards. This announcement follows a significant recall related to potential flight control corruption in the A320, which affected around 6,000 aircraft. The dual setbacks have unsettled investors, leading to Airbus's worst trading day since April. Additionally, the manufacturer is grappling with supply chain shortages impacting engine and cabin deliveries, while maintenance issues with A320neo engines have temporarily grounded hundreds of planes. Industry experts warn that competitive pressures may be compromising quality standards. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 12 pm

BEML secures ₹414 cr contract for additional trainsets from BMRCL

State-owned BEML has announced a new contract valued at ₹414 crore with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) for the supply of additional trainsets as part of the second phase of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project. This contract aims to enhance urban connectivity and support the expansion of the city's metro network, increasing passenger capacity. In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange, BEML confirmed the order but did not disclose specifics regarding delivery timelines or train specifications. This latest agreement follows a previous contract worth ₹405 crore for seven additional metro trains for the same project. BEML, which operates in defence, mining, and rail sectors, has manufacturing facilities across several locations, including Bengaluru and Mysore, and boasts a comprehensive network for sales and services. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 1 pm

Heavy rain expected in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Thunderstorms and rain clouds enveloped Chennai and parts of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning as a well-marked low-pressure area, a remnant of the weakened cyclone Ditwah, crossed the coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the depression had shifted southwest, leading to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, with significant accumulations exceeding 10 cm in several locations. Heavy rains are expected to persist across north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, while isolated showers were also recorded in Kerala. The low-pressure system is anticipated to continue its slow movement southwest, eventually transforming into a conventional low-pressure area by Thursday, which will extend rain coverage into interior Tamil Nadu. A trough associated with the low is facilitating light to moderate rainfall across the South Peninsula, indicating a broader impact of this weather system. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 11 am

WOTR trains rural women as drone pilots with Walmart support

The ProRISE project, spearheaded by the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR), has successfully trained 2,100 farmers, primarily women, in drone piloting to promote climate-resilient agriculture. Supported by the Walmart Foundation, this initiative empowers women in rural Maharashtra by equipping them with essential skills and certifications, enabling them to operate drones for precision spraying and crop monitoring. Early results indicate significant benefits, including reduced labor and chemical use, alongside improved pest control. Initially launched in Jalna and Dharashiv districts, the program aims to reach an additional 29% of farmers by next month, with plans for further expansion across western India and beyond. WOTR Director Sandip Jadhav emphasized the initiative's dual goal of enhancing women's livelihoods and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, while Walmart.org's Nishant Gupta highlighted the importance of innovation and inclusivity in driving community change. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 12 pm

November Services PMI Increased to 59.8

India's services sector showed notable improvement in November, with the S&P Global Services PMI Business Activity Index rising from 58.9 in October to 59.8, reflecting strong new business inflows that bolstered output growth. Despite this positive trend, job creation remained modest, with many companies reporting stable payroll numbers. The report indicated that input cost inflation had eased to its lowest level in nearly five-and-a-half years, contributing to a negligible increase in selling prices. However, new export orders saw a softer growth rate, reaching an eight-month low. While firms expressed some optimism for future output growth, concerns over competition and potential disruptions from upcoming state assembly elections tempered enthusiasm. Overall, the data suggests a stable services sector, albeit with cautious sentiment regarding future expansion, as companies focus on maintaining demand and minimizing price hikes. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 12 pm

GST Cuts Boost Vehicle Sales; EVs Drive Growth in Kerala

Vehicle sales in India reached unprecedented levels in October, with a total of 91,953 units sold, reflecting a remarkable 40.5% increase, according to C.S. Vigneshwar, President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). This surge follows a reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 28% to 18%, primarily benefiting the two-wheeler segment, which saw a growth of 51.76%. Passenger vehicles also experienced an 11.35% rise, although luxury vehicle sales lagged despite a GST cut from 50% to 40%. Vigneshwar noted that rural areas outpaced urban regions in sales growth. In Kerala, Manoj Kurup, President of FADA Kerala, highlighted a significant boost in electric vehicle (EV) sales, with commercial EVs soaring by 199.01%. The tax changes are expected to create job opportunities across the automotive ecosystem, as consumer trends shift towards upgrading vehicles and families increasingly purchase multiple cars. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 11 am

Airport check-in issues cause flight delays

Check-in systems at several airports encountered significant disruptions on Wednesday morning due to a global outage of Microsoft Windows, leading to delays for numerous flights. Passengers at Varanasi airport received notifications indicating that airlines were resorting to manual check-in and boarding procedures as a result of the technical issues. At least four airlines—IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express—were reported to be affected. While there were no immediate comments from Microsoft or the airlines involved, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) acknowledged the operational challenges faced by domestic airlines, assuring that their teams were working closely with all stakeholders to maintain a smooth passenger experience. Specific details regarding the extent of the disruptions remain unclear. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 11 am

India's Iron Ore Imports Reach Six-Year High in 2023

India's iron ore imports surged to a six-year high in 2025, exceeding 10 million metric tons in the first ten months, as steel mills sought to address shortages of high-grade ore and capitalized on lower global prices, according to analysts. This figure more than doubles the average annual imports of 4.3 million metric tons recorded between 2019 and 2024. JSW Steel, the country's largest steelmaker, emerged as the leading importer. Factors contributing to the increased imports include domestic production shortfalls, particularly due to heavy rainfall in Odisha, which produces nearly 55% of India's iron ore. Despite government assurances of no domestic shortages, analysts predict imports could reach 11-12 million metric tons in FY26 if local production does not improve. The Indian government has encouraged steel mills to invest in overseas iron ore mines to secure supply amid concerns over slow development of new domestic sources. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 11 am

India's digital economy outpaces GDP growth, fuels Asia-Pacific change

A recent report by India Exim Bank underscores the pivotal role of digital transformation in driving economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region, with India's digital economy expanding at nearly double the rate of its overall GDP. The report highlights the emergence of robust e-commerce ecosystems, featuring regional giants like Japan's Rakuten and China's Alibaba, which now compete with global leaders such as Amazon. Despite a global slowdown in economic integration, intra-regional trade in Asia has surged by 43% over the past four decades, with over half of Asia's trade occurring within the region. However, challenges remain, including regulatory fragmentation and supply chain vulnerabilities. The report advocates for policy reforms to enhance regulatory harmonisation and infrastructure development, emphasizing the need for interoperable transport networks. As the region shifts towards a service-oriented economy, investments in education and digital infrastructure will be crucial for future growth, particularly with the anticipated rise of artificial intelligence. sources

Published:
Dec 03 2025, 10 am

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