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The Maharashtra State Transport Authority (STA) has approved provisional licenses for Ola, Uber, and Rapido to operate bike taxi services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, setting a fare of ₹10.27 per kilometer and a minimum charge of ₹15 for the first 1.5 kilometers. This decision follows a meeting on August 18, where the STA mandated that the companies must apply for permanent licenses within a month, adhering to the new Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules 2025. Out of four applications received, only three were approved, with Smart-Ride's application rejected for non-compliance. The STA plans to review the bike taxi fares after one year. Despite a January 2023 government resolution banning private two-wheelers for app-based services, some companies continued operating illegally, prompting the transport department to file FIRs against them. The new bike taxi fares are notably lower than those for traditional black-and-yellow taxis and autorickshaws in the region. 
Published: Sep 16 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Indian aviation sector is experiencing a notable transformation, with domestic airlines increasingly capturing a share of the international passenger market, as highlighted in a report by ICICI Securities. Previously dominated by foreign carriers, which accounted for about 60% of international traffic before the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian airlines have seen their market share rise to nearly 45% since 2021. In contrast, foreign airlines still command over 80% of the international freight market. New international routes to destinations like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Ethiopia are gaining traction, with Turkey emerging as a key transit hub due to IndiGo's partnership with Turkish Airlines. In the first quarter of 2025, international passenger traffic remained robust, with 19.34 million total inbound and outbound passengers. The report anticipates further growth in air travel, particularly with the resumption of direct flights to China and the reopening of tourist visas for Chinese visitors.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inLogistics firm iThink Logistics (ITL) has unveiled an AI-powered Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) platform aimed at enhancing cross-border e-commerce for exporters. This innovative solution offers all-inclusive international shipping rates upfront, covering freight, duties, and taxes, thereby streamlining the shipping process. ITL's platform combines robust compliance infrastructure with affordability tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing real-time, country-specific duty and tax estimates that adapt to regulatory changes in key markets like the US and EU. Central to the platform is an AI-driven Duty and Tax Classification Engine, which accurately classifies products using global customs data. Co-founder Zaiba Sarang emphasized that this tool empowers Indian SMEs, traditionally underserved by existing solutions, to compete effectively on a global scale. The DDP model integrates seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and Amazon, reducing post-purchase friction and compliance risks for exporters.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 2 pmeznews.inTraders report that demand for Indian black pepper is under significant pressure due to a combination of factors, including cheaper imports from Brazil and weak purchasing activity ahead of the Bihar and Jharkhand elections. The adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains and floods in North India, have further dampened demand, leading to a price drop of approximately ₹15 per kg in the Kochi Terminal market, where prices now stand at ₹686 for ungarbled and ₹706 for garbled varieties. Kishore Shamji, director of the Indian Pepper and Spices Trade Association, noted that trading activities have been hampered by flooding, while the upcoming elections have also contributed to reduced market activity. Although the festival season, starting with Navarathri on October 2, may boost demand, concerns about ongoing weather disruptions persist. Additionally, US tariffs are impacting international pepper prices, with Indian prices currently at $8100 per tonne, significantly higher than those from other producing countries.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNegotiations between India and the United States have commenced regarding a proposed trade agreement aimed at addressing concerns over steep tariffs that have unsettled exporters. Brendan Lynch, the Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, is leading the American delegation, while Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, represents India. Lynch's visit marks the first by a senior US trade official since the imposition of a 25% tariff and an additional penalty on Indian goods linked to the purchase of Russian crude oil. India has criticized the 50% tariff as unfair, and discussions have been ongoing virtually. The two nations aim to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall 2025, with five negotiation rounds already completed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently welcomed US President Donald Trump's positive remarks on trade relations, emphasizing India's commitment to safeguarding the interests of its farmers and small businesses in any trade deal.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is anticipated to reduce policy rates by 25 basis points in its upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meetings in October and December, bringing the terminal rate to 5 percent, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. The report highlights that inflation is consistently falling below the RBI's target, with the consumer price index (CPI) projected to average just 2.4 percent year-on-year in FY26. This decline is attributed to low food prices, recent Goods and Services Tax cuts, and minimal input price pressures. Despite real GDP growth remaining stable, nominal GDP growth is expected to be subdued at 8.3 percent in FY26, raising concerns about external demand and potential impacts from ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. The report suggests that if inflation remains weak, the RBI may have further opportunities for rate cuts in the future.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is collaborating with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) to develop national action plans aimed at protecting small-scale fisheries in Bay of Bengal countries, including India. This initiative comes in response to challenges such as climate change and resource competition, which threaten the livelihoods of millions of traditional fisherfolk. A three-day regional capacity-building meeting will take place in Chennai from September 17-19, gathering senior officials and marine scientists from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The proposed action plans will focus on fisher rights, safety at sea, women's participation, and sustainable resource management, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. FAO's International Fisheries Analyst Lena Maria Westlund emphasized the importance of small-scale fisheries for food security and livelihoods, highlighting the need for tailored roadmaps to address the sector's pressing issues.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's coal imports saw a significant decline in July 2025, with thermal power plants (TPPs) importing 4.02 million tonnes (mt), a 24% drop year-on-year, according to government data. Overall coal imports fell to 12.08 mt, marking an 18% decrease month-on-month and a 12% decline year-on-year, reaching a five-month low of 19.63 mt. Despite a 12% reduction in domestic coal production due to monsoon impacts, ample stockpiles at TPPs curtailed the need for imports. Coal consumption also fell, with TPPs using 70.9 mt, a 2.6% decrease year-on-year. Meanwhile, renewable energy generation rose by 14% year-on-year, reflecting a shift in energy sources. Analysts from Kpler anticipate continued weakness in thermal coal imports through September, with a potential recovery expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndian budget airline SpiceJet has reported its second consecutive quarterly loss as of June, primarily due to weak leisure travel demand exacerbated by heightened tensions during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. In a bid to strengthen its operations ahead of the festive and winter seasons, the airline announced plans to lease eight additional Boeing 737 aircraft, bringing its total fleet expansion to 18 jets, following earlier agreements for ten planes set for delivery in October. Despite ongoing efforts to resolve disputes with lessors and creditors, including a recent $24 million repayment to Credit Suisse and an $89.5 million settlement with Carlyle's aviation unit, SpiceJet continues to face challenges in capacity expansion and delays in returning grounded aircraft to service. The airline's struggles highlight the ongoing volatility in the aviation sector amid fluctuating demand.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia has unveiled its inaugural national policy on geothermal energy, aiming to harness the country's significant subterranean heat resources as part of its clean energy transition. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) highlighted the policy's focus on repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells and deploying ground source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling. Additionally, it encourages partnerships between geothermal developers and oil, gas, and mineral companies, alongside offering fiscal incentives such as tax holidays and import duty exemptions. India has identified 381 hot springs and 10 geothermal provinces, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, to tap into this potential. With global geothermal capacity reaching 15.4 GW, India seeks to enhance its contribution through foreign direct investment and international collaborations, supporting projects for up to 30 years, with possible extensions based on resource availability.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 10 am
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