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India's mobility sector commenced 2026 on a stable note, with truck rentals remaining flat month-on-month across key trunk routes, while achieving a year-on-year growth of 5-12%, as reported by the Shriram Mobility Bulletin. The January data reflects a busy trucking environment, driven by the Rabi harvest and increased agricultural transport. Sudarshan Holla, Joint Managing Director of Shriram Finance, noted that the recent Indo-US trade pact is expected to enhance vehicular movement in export hubs, although geopolitical tensions along the Indo-Bangla border pose challenges. The electric vehicle market is emerging as a significant growth driver, with strong demand for SUVs boosting passenger vehicle sales. Notably, motor car sales surged by 37% month-on-month, alongside a 37% increase in goods carriers and a 33% rise in three-wheeler sales, indicating a robust recovery in both personal and commercial transport sectors, despite a decline in bus retail volumes. 
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inA report by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), titled *Vision 2047: India’s Roadmap for a Self-Reliant Battery Ecosystem*, highlights the crucial role of electric mobility and large-scale energy storage in achieving India's climate goals and the Viksit Bharat Vision 2047. Released during the India Battery Manufacturing and Supply Chain Summit 2026, the report forecasts a dramatic increase in demand for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries, from 28 GWh in 2025 to over 700 GWh by the mid-2040s. It predicts that Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and its variants will dominate battery demand, comprising over 60% by 2047 due to their cost-effectiveness and safety. Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Renewable Energy, emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to drive this energy storage revolution. Debmalya Sen, IESA President, noted that the growing battery demand presents both a significant opportunity and a strategic necessity for enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 8 pmeznews.inGold and silver prices experienced significant volatility on Thursday, reversing a two-day upward trend as gold fluctuated by over $200 and silver by $16 an ounce. The decline was attributed to a stronger dollar and hawkish signals from the US Federal Reserve regarding interest rates, alongside a weakening rupee in India. Gold fell 2.9% to $4,818 an ounce, while silver plummeted over 15% to $74.14 an ounce, with both metals facing renewed selling pressure and record outflows from China's gold ETFs. Analysts noted that despite the recent downturn, the broader uptrend for precious metals remains intact, with profit-taking and market corrections expected. The market is closely monitoring upcoming monetary policy meetings from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank for further direction. Overall, the precious metals market is navigating a complex landscape influenced by geopolitical tensions and shifts in investor sentiment.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 8 pmeznews.inM B Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, has called on the central government to consider a high-speed rail corridor connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai. In letters to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, Patil acknowledged the recent Budget proposals for Bengaluru–Hyderabad and Bengaluru–Chennai corridors but noted that the limited 100 km stretch in Karnataka would yield minimal benefits for the state. He proposed a new corridor that would enhance connectivity in underserved regions and link to the planned Pune–Mumbai high-speed rail project, thereby increasing its strategic importance. This request follows Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's discussions with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about a Bengaluru–Pune corridor, which he believes would benefit several districts. The recent Railway Budget allocation of ₹7,748 crore for Karnataka underscores the government's commitment to improving connectivity and modernisation in the region.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 8 pmeznews.inVanderlande, a leader in logistics process automation, has officially opened its India Innovation Centre (IIC) in Pune, a pivotal development in its Indian operations. The facility, designed for collaboration, will enable engineers to co-create and test solutions for the warehousing, airports, and parcel sectors, focusing on advancements in robotic automation, artificial intelligence, and digital integration. Spanning two acres, the IIC enhances Vanderlande India’s status as a Global Capability Centre, now the company’s second-largest technology hub after the Netherlands. With over 1,300 employees, Vanderlande India has evolved from a support office to a key player in R&D and software development. CFO Astrid van Druten emphasized the centre's role in fostering innovation and efficiency, while Managing Director Manish Patil highlighted its significance in reinforcing Vanderlande's commitment to global capabilities and positive operational impact. The IIC represents a strategic shift towards innovation in Vanderlande's ongoing "Everyday Better" initiative.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inStorage levels in India's major reservoirs have continued to decline, with the Central Water Commission (CWC) reporting a drop to 67% of total capacity across 166 reservoirs. The southern region has been particularly affected, with levels falling below 60% of its 55.288 billion cubic meters (BCM) capacity, now at 32.710 BCM, compared to 60.3% last year. While overall storage remains 8.5 percentage points higher than last year and 25 percentage points above the 10-year average, all five regions have seen levels dip below 80%. The western zone, previously the highest, has also fallen to 78.6%. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that 71% of districts have experienced deficient rainfall this year, with a 31% overall shortfall. With no significant rainfall forecasted in the coming weeks, further declines in reservoir levels are anticipated.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inSri Lanka is set to enhance its domestic air connectivity by launching a scheme similar to India's Udan initiative, aiming to attract investment from international airlines, particularly from India, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe. Currently, domestic air travel is limited, with only four commercial aircraft operating within the country. The government, in collaboration with the World Bank, is preparing a feasibility report and upgrading six airstrips to promote domestic aviation and boost high-value tourism. Ranasinghe emphasized the potential for regional aviation to attract affluent tourists, noting that travel across the island can take five to six hours. Sri Lanka aims to increase its foreign visitor count to 3 million in 2026, with India being the largest source market. Additionally, SriLankan Airlines plans to introduce five weekly flights to Ahmedabad, while new travel products are being developed to enhance the tourism experience.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAir India is investigating whether its crew adhered to compliance procedures after a Boeing 787 took off from London with a potential fuel-switch defect, later leading to the aircraft being grounded in India. British authorities have given the airline a week to provide a comprehensive response or face regulatory action concerning its fleet of 33 Boeing 787s. Pilots in London noted that the fuel control switch failed to remain latched in the 'run' position on two attempts, although it stabilized on a third. Upon landing in India, the pilot reported a possible defect, prompting checks. Air India stated it would follow its safety investigation protocol but did not specify potential actions. The investigation will scrutinize why the crew did not report the issue in London. This incident follows heightened scrutiny of Air India after a previous crash linked to fuel switches that killed 260 people.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to resume negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after a hiatus since 2011. Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal, who witnessed the signing in New Delhi, emphasized that this agreement will enhance trade opportunities for Indian goods and services, benefiting sectors such as food processing, infrastructure, and ICT. With trade between India and the GCC valued at $178.5 billion in FY25, the FTA aims to facilitate professional mobility and collaboration in areas like IT and digital payments, including the integration of India's UPI with regional systems. Goyal noted that the FTA, alongside existing trade deals with the UAE and Oman, is poised to unlock significant economic potential for both India and the GCC nations.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Madras Port & Dock Employees Union (CITU) has raised concerns over the Indian government's proposal for the Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) to invest 5% equity in the new Bharat Container Line (BCL). Union vice president T Narendra Rao highlighted that while the initiative aims to reduce India's reliance on foreign shipping, it unfairly burdens already financially strained Major Port Authorities, including ChPA, which faces significant pension liabilities for its 2,500 employees and 15,000 pensioners. Rao warned that such an investment could jeopardize ChPA's financial viability, pushing it into further fiscal distress. He suggested that funding for BCL should come from direct budgetary support or through financially robust Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and maritime finance institutions, rather than from ChPA, which is ill-equipped to handle additional equity risks. The union has urged the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to reconsider this investment requirement to protect the port's financial stability and its workforce.
Published: Feb 05 2026, 5 pm
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