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In 2024, the warehousing market in Gujarat saw significant growth, with Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Vapi collectively recording 8.26 million square feet of transactions, a 27% increase from 2023. Surat emerged as a standout performer, achieving a remarkable 98% year-on-year growth by adding 1.6 million square feet, driven by major players like Reliance Retail and Whirlpool. Ahmedabad contributed 5.8 million square feet, reflecting a 25% growth, with key transactions from Coca-Cola and Nestle India. The manufacturing sector was the primary demand driver, accounting for 49% of Ahmedabad's transactions and 72% in Surat. However, Vadodara and Vapi experienced declines of 2% and 24%, respectively. Knight Frank India's Chairman, Shishir Baijal, attributed the growth to government initiatives and robust infrastructure, positioning Ahmedabad as a vital industrial hub for chemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, while Surat's expansion is linked to the chemical industry in the Bharuch-Ankleshwar belt. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inA severe heat wave is set to impact Central and East Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, as forecasted by the European Centre for Medium-Term Weather Forecasts. Following the Holi festival, which signifies the transition from winter to spring, intense heat has already gripped West and Central India earlier than usual. The heat wave, which has already affected regions like Saurashtra and Kutch, is expected to persist for several days across various states, including Odisha and Jharkhand. This heating is crucial for the upcoming monsoon, as it establishes the necessary temperature and pressure gradients to facilitate moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Despite a weak La Niña event, January and February 2025 have recorded unprecedented warmth in India, with the India Meteorological Department predicting above-normal temperatures across most of the country through May, except in certain southern and northeastern regions.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a landmark move for India's mining sector, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the country's first auction of exploration licences on March 14, 2025, in Goa. The auction encompasses 13 blocks aimed at tapping into critical minerals, including Rare Earth Elements, Zinc, and Platinum Group Elements. This initiative, described by the Ministry of Mines as a transparent online bidding process, seeks to enhance private sector involvement, reduce import dependency, and foster a self-reliant mineral ecosystem aligned with India's clean energy goals. Reddy emphasized the auction's role in accelerating mineral discovery and boosting investor confidence, while Sawant highlighted Goa's commitment to responsible mining practices. The event also featured a hackathon focused on using AI to identify new mineral-rich zones, showcasing the integration of technology in mineral exploration. The Ministry aims to operationalize these blocks promptly to meet the rising demand for critical minerals.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26, the state government announced plans to explore a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) across three routes, inspired by the Semi High-Speed Railway model between New Delhi and Meerut. The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct feasibility studies for a high-speed system connecting Chennai to Chengalpattu, Tindivanam, and Villupuram, among other routes. The ongoing Phase II of the Chennai Metro, the largest in India, is set to be completed by mid-2026. Additionally, a new airport will be developed in Rameshwaram to boost tourism, while efforts to reduce air pollution include converting 700 diesel buses to CNG and deploying 1,125 electric buses across major cities. The budget allocates ₹12,964 crore for the Transport Department, with significant funds earmarked for new buses, multimodal transport terminals, and performance incentives for state transport undertakings.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has sanctioned the procurement of over 32 lakh tonnes of pulses at minimum support price (MSP) for the rabi 2025 marketing season, with 21.64 lakh tonnes of gram (chana) and 9.4 lakh tonnes of lentils (masur) among the key crops. Procurement has commenced in Telangana, with 1,055.25 tonnes of chana collected as of March 12. Madhya Pradesh, the largest chana producer, aims to procure over 7.28 lakh tonnes, while Maharashtra and Gujarat are targeting 7.08 lakh tonnes and 2.66 lakh tonnes, respectively. Chana production is projected at 115.35 lakh tonnes, a 4.49% increase from last year, but domestic prices are under pressure due to high imports and duty-free access for chana until March 31, 2025. The government also plans to procure 7.79 lakh tonnes of masur, with production expected to rise slightly to 18.17 lakh tonnes this season.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's demand for Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) steel is projected to rise by 10-12% annually, fueled by the expanding power sector and the ambitious goal of integrating 500 GW of renewable energy into the grid by 2030. However, supply chain challenges, including a 30% shortfall in CRGO steel and limited availability of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems, are hindering the growth of the country's power evacuation infrastructure. A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy highlighted that the Ministry of Power faced difficulties in meeting transmission targets for FY25, achieving only 54% of the planned circuit kilometers. Additionally, the expansion of thermal power plants is stymied by a lack of engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, with only a few bidders participating in recent tenders. The Central Electricity Authority noted that only 2,840 MW of thermal power capacity was added in FY25, significantly below the target.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDividends declared by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) for the fiscal year 2023-24 reached ₹1.23 lakh crore, marking a 16% increase from ₹1.05 lakh crore in the previous year. This figure surpasses revised estimates for the current fiscal year (2024-25) by over ₹10,000 crore, with approximately ₹66,000 crore already received, and expectations that total dividends could reach ₹66,000-₹67,000 crore. The Union Budget had initially estimated dividends at ₹56,260 crore, later revised to ₹55,000 crore. Notably, 212 of the 272 operating CPSEs reported a net profit of ₹3.43 lakh crore, a significant rise from ₹2.18 lakh crore in FY 2022-23. Key sectors contributing to this growth include oil, coal, and power, bolstered by stable fuel prices and favorable weather conditions. The government’s revised dividend policy mandates a minimum annual payout of 30% of profit after tax or 4% of net worth, encouraging CPSEs to aim for higher dividends.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Container Shipping Lines Association (India) has raised concerns over operational challenges at the newly opened Vizhinjam Port, primarily due to the absence of an Immigration Check Post (ICP). This lack of an ICP hampers crew changes and essential services, restricting local business growth and preventing vessels with Pakistani crew members from docking. The association noted that the unique administrative requirements, such as sending crew photographs to the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for clearance, further complicate operations. Despite handling around 400,000 TEUs and approximately 180 vessel calls since its inception, the port has yet to deploy Customs officers, necessitating a manual clearance process that delays vessel arrivals. The CSLA has urged the Ministry to expedite the establishment of an ICP to alleviate these operational barriers and enhance service consistency at Vizhinjam Port.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's space sector has achieved significant milestones, generating $143 million in foreign exchange by launching 393 foreign satellites from 2015 to 2024, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched satellites for 34 countries, with the majority for the US and UK. Currently, India has signed space cooperation agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral bodies, focusing on areas such as satellite navigation and remote sensing. Recent successes include the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, with the Gaganyaan manned mission set for launch this year, marking India's first human spaceflight. The four astronauts have trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Looking ahead, India plans to establish the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station' by 2035 and aims to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2040, bolstering its position in the global space economy.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs has urged the government to address significant vacancies in Consumer Commissions, highlighting that 18 out of 36 sanctioned posts for Presidents are unfilled, alongside 433 vacant member positions at the district level. The committee emphasized the need for immediate action from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) to prioritize these appointments, as the current vacancies hinder operational capacity. Additionally, it noted a decline in funding for consumer awareness programs, with the budget remaining stagnant at ₹17.99 crore since 2023-24, despite a 136.59% increase in actual expenditure for 2023-24. The report called for enhanced outreach through social media and regional languages, as consumer complaints surged from 54,516 in 2020 to 111,951 in 2024. The committee also recommended improving the National Consumer Helpline and expanding gold hallmarking services, particularly in rural areas.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 10 am
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