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The VOC Port Authority in Thoothukudi has awarded a ₹386 crore contract to Mumbai's Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd for a fully electric tugboat with a Bollard Pull capacity of 60 tonnes, set to be delivered within two years. This tug will assist in the berthing and manoeuvring of ships and will be operated and maintained for 15 years under the contract. This initiative is part of a broader Green Tug Transition Programme aimed at replacing diesel-powered tugs with environmentally friendly alternatives, including battery and green ammonia/hydrogen-powered vessels. VOC Port is among the first five major ports in India to adopt this transition, alongside others like Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Visakhapatnam Port. Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit emphasized the port's commitment to sustainability, as the shift to electric tugs is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, aligning with India's sustainability goals and the Paris Agreement. 
Published: Dec 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inExperts assert that while India is advancing its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) initiatives, it is unlikely to become the country's primary energy source, remaining instead a component of a diversified energy portfolio. A recent report, “VISION 2040 - NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA,” submitted to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), emphasizes the need for robust infrastructure to facilitate natural gas distribution. Arjun Murti from Veriten highlighted that abundant global LNG supply, particularly from the US and Qatar, could support India's energy needs, but LNG must compete with domestic coal, solar, and battery technologies. He noted that India's energy strategy should prioritize reliable and affordable sources, advocating for a diverse supplier base to mitigate reliance on any single country. As India’s energy demand grows, the integration of various energy sources, including renewables, will be crucial for a sustainable future.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inChennai, India, is grappling with severe flooding following heavy rains from Cyclone Ditwah, which has raised concerns about the increasing frequency of intense cyclones in the region. Experts, including Sanjay Srivastava from the National Institute of Advanced Studies, warn that the Bay of Bengal is entering a period of extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, which fuels cyclones and intensifies rainfall. The recent formation of Cyclone Senyar near the equator in the Strait of Malacca, a rare occurrence, further underscores the shifting climate dynamics. Both cyclones have had devastating impacts across Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced regional cooperation through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Strengthening disaster management and climate intelligence initiatives is crucial for improving preparedness and resilience against future climate-induced disasters.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA Goldman Sachs report indicates that the Indian central government is on track to meet its fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for FY26, primarily by reducing capital expenditure (capex), especially transfers to states, in response to declining income tax and GST revenues. The report noted a significant 28% year-on-year drop in capex in October, attributed to lower state transfers, although defence spending remained robust. Current expenditures rose due to increased interest payments, but were lower than the previous year. Direct tax collections fell sequentially, with income tax and corporate tax receipts declining, while GST revenues also contracted following recent rate cuts. Despite these challenges, Goldman Sachs maintains that expenditure cuts, particularly in capex, will be crucial in achieving the fiscal deficit goal, with the deficit for April-October 2025 recorded at 4.0% of GDP, the lowest level since 2011, excluding pandemic years.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is poised for robust economic growth, with GDP projected to exceed 7% this financial year, according to Anant Goenka, the newly appointed President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Goenka emphasized the need to elevate the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from 15-17% to 20-25% over time, highlighting priorities such as increasing R&D spending, enhancing industry-academia partnerships, and promoting sustainable practices. India's economy recently recorded an impressive 8.2% growth in the July-September quarter, driven by public investments and strong consumption, solidifying its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy. Goenka acknowledged existing challenges, including insolvency issues and demand fluctuations post-COVID, but expressed optimism about overcoming these hurdles. He also called for further simplification of business regulations to improve the overall business climate in collaboration with state governments.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inKellanova, a global food leader, has partnered with Varaha to launch a five-year regenerative corn program in Maharashtra, India, aimed at transforming the practices of 5,000 smallholder farmers across 12,500 acres. This initiative is part of Kellanova's broader sustainability agenda, focusing on climate action and regenerative sourcing. By promoting methods that enhance soil health and reduce fertilizer use, the program aims to sequester nearly 100,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, directly impacting the company's supply chain carbon footprint. The project employs an insetting approach, creating climate benefits within Kellanova's supply chains, and adheres to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Additionally, it seeks to improve farmer livelihoods through sustainable practices and addresses food safety concerns related to aflatoxin contamination. Kellanova's Vice President, Shaughan Kennedy, emphasized the importance of aligning business success with community and environmental well-being, while Varaha's CEO, Madhur Jain, highlighted India's potential as a leader in regenerative agriculture.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inMalaysia Airlines has upgraded its Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur service to daily operations, enhancing connectivity for passengers and tourists from Kerala. Previously operating five days a week, the new schedule will provide a total of 11 weekly flights, with Air Asia contributing an additional four services. This increase is expected to attract travelers from other states, drawn by competitive fares. Concurrently, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has announced a winter schedule that reflects a 22% rise in weekly flight operations, increasing from 600 to 732 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). The new schedule includes additional domestic routes to Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Trichy, while international operations will see a 9% growth. This expansion highlights the airport's growing significance as a key gateway to Kerala and its role in supporting regional mobility and economic development, as emphasized by officials and Adani Airport Holdings Limited, which manages the facility.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia has experienced a remarkable 167% increase in inland aquaculture production, soaring from 1.5 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 4 million tonnes in 2023, according to a study by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This growth positions India as a key player in Asia's shift from wild-caught to farmed fish, with aquaculture now accounting for 40% of fisheries employment, up from 17% in 1995. However, the report highlights significant challenges, including rising fish loss and waste, with marine fish losses increasing from 2.78% to over 10%. The study calls for urgent investments in cold-chain infrastructure and improved handling practices to mitigate these issues. Despite a robust seafood export sector, which is valued at $7.5 billion, the domestic supply chain remains vulnerable, raising food safety concerns for local consumers.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with Reliance Jio to implement a telecom-based safety alert system across the National Highway network. This initiative will utilize Jio's 4G and 5G infrastructure to send real-time warnings to travelers about hazardous locations, including accident-prone areas, stray-cattle zones, and fog-affected stretches. Alerts will be delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and high-priority calls, allowing drivers to adjust their speed and behavior accordingly. The system will be integrated with NHAI's digital platforms, such as the 'Rajmargyatra' app and the emergency helpline 1033, and will be accessible to all Jio users near National Highways. This automated solution, which requires no additional roadside hardware, aims to enhance road safety for over 500 million subscribers. NHAI also plans to collaborate with other telecom providers for similar initiatives.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA parliamentary panel, chaired by TMC MP Kirti Azad, has urged the Indian government to revive three closed urea plants, including two in West Bengal, to address a projected increase in urea demand of 56 lakh tonnes over the next decade. The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers highlighted the urgency of this revival in its report, citing a rise in urea demand from 388 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to an estimated 444 lakh tonnes by 2035-36. The government indicated that any revival would depend on the demand-supply gap following the operationalisation of five revived plants. Currently, India has 33 urea manufacturing units with a total capacity of 269.40 lakh tonnes, but farmers have reported inadequate urea availability. The panel also recommended establishing a task force to enhance domestic urea production and expand the capacity of other fertilizers through fiscal incentives and long-term supply agreements.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 2 pm
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