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IndiGo issues travel advisory due to Bangalore fog

IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory on Thursday, alerting passengers to potential flight disruptions due to dense fog and low visibility in Bangalore. The airline is actively monitoring weather conditions and has urged travelers to check their flight status through official channels. In its advisory, IndiGo reassured customers of its commitment to safety and operational support during this challenging period. Despite the weather-related challenges, IndiGo reported operational stability, carrying over one million passengers every three days and maintaining a schedule of 2,100-2,200 flights. The airline is also preparing for increased demand during the holiday season and is set to introduce its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, enhancing medium-to-long haul travel options. IndiGo plans to connect Delhi and Mumbai with Athens starting January 23, 2026, while exploring additional domestic and international routes as part of its fleet expansion strategy. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 9 am

India's FY26 $1 trillion export target at risk, says GTRI

India is unlikely to meet its ambitious target of $1 trillion in goods and services exports by FY26, according to Ajay Shrivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). In an interview with ANI, he noted that last year's exports reached approximately $825 billion, but projected only $850 billion for the current year due to stagnant growth in goods exports, despite some growth in services. Shrivastava emphasized that achieving the target hinges on major trade agreements with the US and EU, expected next year. He highlighted early signs of market diversification, with exports to the US down 20.7% but a 5.5% increase to other regions. However, he cautioned that diversification of the export basket is essential, advocating for more medium to high-tech products. He also called for a stronger push at the WTO to refocus on trade issues and suggested coalition-building with countries like South Africa and Brazil to protect agricultural interests. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 10 am

India's New Tax Law Takes Effect April 1, 2025

In a significant overhaul of its tax regime, India implemented sharp cuts to Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and raised the income tax exemption limit in 2025, with a focus on stimulating domestic demand amid global economic challenges. The new Income Tax Act, effective from April 1, 2026, replaces the outdated 1961 legislation, while two new laws will impose additional excise duties on cigarettes and pan masala. The GST reform, which reduced rates on 375 goods and services and streamlined the tax structure to two main slabs, aims to simplify the indirect tax system and enhance compliance. Despite record GST collections of ₹2.37 lakh crore in April, revenues dipped to ₹1.70 lakh crore in November, reflecting the impact of the rate cuts. Looking ahead, the government plans to rationalise customs duties, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighting the need for transparency and efficiency in customs processes. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 11 am

Govt to launch 'Bharat Taxi' in 1-2 months: Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah announced the upcoming launch of the Bharat Taxi ride-hailing app, set to debut within one to two months, aimed at reducing commercial vehicle drivers' reliance on private companies. Speaking at the Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) conference in Panchkula, Shah emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing farmers' prosperity through cooperative initiatives and sustainable agriculture practices. The Bharat Taxi app, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, will ensure that all profits go directly to drivers, providing them with insurance and advertising opportunities. Shah highlighted the importance of cooperatives in transforming rural livelihoods, citing the success of Amul in empowering women milk producers. He also noted significant increases in the agriculture budget since 2014 and praised Haryana's efforts in supporting farmers through timely payments and high prices for crops. The event included the inauguration of new agricultural facilities and the distribution of RuPay cards to cooperative bank beneficiaries. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 10 am

Navi Mumbai Airport launches commercial flight services

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) officially launched commercial flight operations on Thursday, a significant development for India's civil aviation sector and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The inaugural flight from Bengaluru, operated by IndiGo, landed at 8 am, receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute to commemorate the occasion. Following this, the first departure to Hyderabad took off at 8:40 am. On its opening day, NMIA will facilitate 15 scheduled departures, with airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and Star Air connecting to nine destinations across India. Initially operating from 8 am to 8 pm, the airport aims to expand to 24 daily departures and handle up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. Built at a cost of ₹19,650 crore, the first phase of the airport is part of a larger project expected to accommodate 90 million passengers annually upon completion. Full 24-hour operations are anticipated to begin in February 2024. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 10 am

IndiGo ready for holiday season travel demand

IndiGo, India's largest airline, has announced its readiness to meet holiday season demand following significant operational disruptions earlier this month. In response to a directive from the civil aviation ministry, the airline has reduced its winter schedule by 10% but remains committed to reliability amid forecasts of a harsher winter. Since stabilising operations on December 9, 2025, IndiGo has been gradually increasing capacity within government guidelines, consistently operating between 2,100 and 2,200 flights and transporting over 1 million passengers every three days. However, the airline is facing scrutiny, with Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare revealing that the ministry has received approximately 100 complaints regarding IndiGo ticket cancellations. The airline's proactive measures aim to ensure a smoother travel experience during the peak holiday period. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 9 am

CESL finalizes tender for 10,900 electric buses under PM E-Drive

Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) has successfully completed the tendering process for 10,900 electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme, marking one of India's largest procurements in this sector. The initiative attracted significant interest, with 16 bidders participating, reflecting the growing maturity of the country's electric mobility ecosystem. The financial bids from 14 qualified bidders were found to be competitive and lower than initial estimates, which will be shared with city transport agencies. Under CESL's aggregation-based gross cost contract model, private operators will own, operate, and maintain the buses, while city transport agencies will pay a fixed per-kilometre fee. Major cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad are set to receive thousands of buses, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and improved public transport reliability. This initiative underscores CESL's commitment to facilitating India's transition to clean mobility through transparent procurement and large-scale electric transport solutions. sources

Published:
Dec 25 2025, 6 am

CCI procures 50 lakh bales of cotton at MSP

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured approximately 50 lakh bales of cotton at the minimum support price (MSP) during the 2025-26 season, marking a 60% increase from the 31 lakh bales purchased by mid-December last year. CCI Chairman Lalit Kumar Gupta reported that daily procurement has surpassed 2 lakh bales, with total purchases reaching 230.23 lakh quintals valued at ₹18,238 crore. Major contributions came from Telangana and Maharashtra, with Telangana alone accounting for 93.87 lakh quintals valued at ₹7,445 crore. CCI's intervention has stabilized cotton prices, which have risen from ₹7,200-7,300 to around ₹7,800 per quintal in private trade. However, prices remain below the announced MSP of ₹7,710 for medium staple and ₹8,110 for long staple cotton. Adverse weather conditions have reduced the projected cotton crop for the season to 292.15 lakh bales, down from 297.24 lakh bales last year. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 9 pm

Air India targets 55% new wide-body fleet by 2026

Air India, under the Tata Group, plans to enhance its fleet by operating nearly 60 wide-body aircraft, with a goal of having over 55% of this fleet comprised of new or retrofitted models by the end of 2026. The airline is set to introduce six new wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-1000 models, with the first Boeing 787-9 expected to join in January 2026. Additionally, Air India aims to retrofit at least 12 Boeing 787 aircraft, improving onboard experiences with new seating, upgraded entertainment systems, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Currently, the airline operates six upgraded Boeing 777s, six Airbus A350s, and six Boeing 787-9s, while also returning older leased jets, keeping the overall fleet size stable. By mid-2027, Air India plans to complete the retrofit of its 26 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, ensuring a modernized experience for passengers across its domestic and international routes. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 7 pm

Egg prices soar due to supply crunch and demand

Egg prices in major Indian cities have surged dramatically, with the monthly index surpassing ₹700 per 100 eggs, driven by supply shortages and increased seasonal demand, particularly in colder regions. In New Delhi, consumers are paying up to ₹10 per egg, while prices in Hyderabad and Chennai hover around ₹8 and ₹7.50, respectively. The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) reports that farm gate prices have risen sharply since August, with production plummeting due to adverse weather affecting feed supplies. Despite the high retail prices, farmers receive less than ₹6.50 per egg. The surge is exacerbated by rising export demands, particularly from the US and Gulf countries, as well as increased domestic consumption during winter and festivals. Experts predict that while prices may stabilize in January, they are expected to remain elevated until March due to ongoing production challenges. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 8 pm

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