eznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a special audit of non-scheduled operators following the tragic crash of a Learjet 45 near Baramati Airport in Pune on January 28, which claimed the lives of six individuals, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The audit, set to unfold in two phases, will assess the operational and safety standards of 14 operators, including charter companies and corporate fleets. Teams comprising experts from air safety, airworthiness, and flight operations will submit their findings within ten days of completing their inspections. Concurrently, the DGCA is developing guidelines for uncontrolled airfields, like Baramati, which lack regular air traffic control and oversight. Concerns have been raised regarding questionable maintenance practices among some operators, including understating flight hours to circumvent maintenance requirements, prompting increased scrutiny of charter operations in India. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reaffirmed the Indian government's commitment to railway development in Tamil Nadu, highlighting an increase in budget allocation from ₹890 crore in 2014 to ₹7,611 crore for 2026-27. However, he noted that progress on key projects is hindered by land acquisition issues, with only 24% of the necessary land secured despite the Centre disbursing ₹1,465 crore for this purpose. Vaishnaw responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying that funding is not the issue, but rather the lack of cooperation from the state government in facilitating land acquisition. He cited specific projects, such as the Madurai–Tuticorin and Tindivanam–Gingee lines, where land acquisition remains significantly incomplete. Despite these challenges, the Centre has sanctioned multiple new lines and expansions, emphasizing the need for timely state support to enhance infrastructure growth in Tamil Nadu.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's seafood exports to the United States are projected to rebound significantly, with a value of $2.78 billion anticipated for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Following a recent trade deal that reduced tariffs to 18%, officials from the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) expect a swift recovery in export volumes, which had previously declined by 6.3% in value and nearly 15% in quantity due to elevated duties. The US remains India's largest seafood market, and the new tariff structure offers a competitive edge against other exporting nations, such as Ecuador and Vietnam. SEAI Secretary-General KN Raghavan noted that this level playing field could enhance profitability and capacity utilization across the industry. The agreement, which follows India's trade pact with the European Union, signals a strengthening of India's integration into global trade networks, fostering growth opportunities for the country's animal protein exports.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe cotton textile industry in India is optimistic about the potential benefits of the Indo-US trade deal, particularly regarding the import of lower-cost cotton to meet a projected surge in demand. Industry leaders anticipate that the government may adopt an Australian-style import formula or reduce duties on US cotton by 50%. With domestic cotton production stagnating and prices exceeding global rates, experts emphasize the need for high-quality imports, especially as the recent free trade agreement with the EU is expected to double cotton demand. While the specifics of import regulations remain unclear, stakeholders suggest that duty-free imports could enhance domestic yarn consumption, which currently stands at only 65%. The landed cost of imported cotton is significantly lower than domestic prices, potentially improving profit margins for textile manufacturers. Overall, the industry is hopeful that these developments will foster growth and sustainability in the sector.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndian coffee exports to the US are set to benefit significantly from a recent trade deal that reinstates zero duty on shipments, reversing a previous 25% reciprocal duty imposed last year. This change is expected to boost the demand for both specialty and instant coffees, with trade sources indicating a rebound in shipments following a decline due to the higher duty. In 2025, the US was the tenth largest market for Indian coffee, with exports totaling 10,736 tonnes, primarily consisting of instant coffee. Industry leaders, including Kurma Rao M, CEO of the Coffee Board of India, expressed optimism about the positive impact on the sector. India's coffee exports surpassed $2 billion in 2025, and for the current financial year, shipments are projected to exceed last year's $1.8 billion, with February figures already reaching $1.7 billion.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAdani Airport Holdings Ltd is set to commence Phase 2 construction of the Greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport after the monsoon this year, driven by strong demand and full airline slots. The airport, which began operations on December 25, 2025, is positioned as Mumbai's second aviation hub, crucial for alleviating air traffic congestion and fostering growth in the metropolitan area. In addition to Navi Mumbai, the company has also integrated a new terminal at Guwahati, enhancing its national aviation presence. Adani Airports now accounts for 23% of India's passenger traffic and 29% of air cargo volumes, with the airports business experiencing over 30% growth. In the third quarter, operational performance remained robust, with 24.7 million passengers handled and cargo volumes rising to 3.1 lakh metric tonnes. The company has already incurred ₹25,200 crore of its ₹36,000 crore capital expenditure plan for FY26.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe National Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture in the Vegetable Oil Sector (NARVOS), a collaboration between the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and Solidaridad, has received the ‘Institutional Impact Award’ from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for its role in promoting regenerative agriculture within India's oilseed sector. The award was presented during the National Oilseeds Conference in New Delhi, held from February 6-8. BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the commitment to enhancing farmer incomes and reducing import dependence through sustainable practices. Suresh Motwani, General Manager at Solidaridad, highlighted NARVOS as a pioneering partnership that prioritizes farmers, soil health, and scientific innovation. The conference aimed to develop a strategic roadmap for achieving self-reliance and resilience in the Indian oilseeds sector, focusing on research, sustainable practices, and global competitiveness.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 6 pmeznews.inMaharashtra's sugar mills have reported a significant increase in sugarcane crushing during the 2025-26 season, processing 906.56 lakh tonnes (lt) by February 8, 2026, compared to 697.05 lt in the same period last year. This surge, nearly 30 per cent higher, has resulted in a net sugar recovery rate of 9.31 per cent, slightly up from 9.16 per cent last season, reflecting stable cane quality across key production areas. A total of 207 sugar factories, including 102 cooperative and 105 private mills, were operational this season, up from 199 last year. The Kolhapur division led in both crushing and recovery rates, achieving 193.16 lt of cane with a recovery of 10.87 per cent, while the Pune division followed closely. In contrast, the Amravati and Nagpur divisions reported minimal contributions, highlighting disparities in operational capacity across the state.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's steel exports to Europe are set to decline due to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes a carbon tax and import quotas on high-emission goods. Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik acknowledged the challenges posed by these regulations, stating that the government will implement measures to support the sector. This announcement follows a recent trade deal between India and the EU that reduced tariffs in various sectors but did not alter the CBAM. Currently, Indian steel mills export approximately two-thirds of their output to Europe, and the introduction of the CBAM has raised concerns about its impact on trade. In response to these challenges, Indian steel producers are reportedly looking to diversify their markets by seeking buyers in Africa and West Asia. The CBAM, which has been criticized by India since its inception in 2021, aims to address carbon emissions in the production of steel and other goods.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIndian farm unions and opposition parties are mobilizing for nationwide protests against a new India-US trade framework, which they argue could jeopardize the agricultural sector by increasing US imports. The government, however, maintains that key staples like rice and wheat are protected under the agreement, which also offers Indian growers of basmati rice and other products duty-free access to the US market. Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union, expressed concerns that Indian farmers, who face higher costs and crop losses, are at a disadvantage compared to their US counterparts. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha coalition has called for protests on February 12, warning that the deal could lead to the influx of subsidized US products, undermining domestic prices and rural incomes. Opposition parties, including Congress, have criticized the lack of transparency in the agreement, labeling it a "total surrender" of national interests.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 4 pm
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