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Vadhvan Port seeks ₹30,000 cr debt for expansion

Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. is poised to become India's largest port and one of the top ten globally, with plans to raise ₹30,000 crore ($3.5 billion) in debt to fund its development. Located north of Mumbai, the project is a key element of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's infrastructure initiative, with a foundation stone laid last year. The company aims to secure long-term loans with tenors of 15 to 20 years, targeting at least ₹22,000 crore in the first funding phase, facilitated by IDBI Capital. The port, expected to be completed by the end of the decade, will have the capacity to handle 23 million container units and will feature a natural depth of 20 meters, accommodating some of the largest container ships. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance India's maritime infrastructure and establish new trade routes, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 4 pm

Air India Reduces London, Nairobi Flights Post-Crash Stabilization

Air India has announced a temporary suspension of flights to Nairobi and London from Amritsar and Goa, effective from June 21 to July 15, following a crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The airline plans to reduce its widebody international flights by 15% until mid-July, impacting routes to Australia, East Asia, Europe, and the US. This decision is part of a strategy to implement enhanced pre-flight safety checks and manage increased flight durations due to airspace closures in the Middle East. Air India aims to restore schedule stability and minimize last-minute disruptions for passengers. The revised flight schedule will be available on the airline's website, mobile app, and through its contact center, with a commitment to prioritizing the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft while working towards resuming full operations as soon as possible. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 9 pm

Ahmedabad air crash investigation making steady progress, says Ministry

The investigation into the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad is advancing, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry, which confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has completed key recovery tasks, including site documentation and evidence collection. However, a decision on whether to decode the aircraft's black boxes in India or send them to the US National Transportation Safety Board remains pending. The black boxes, which include a digital flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, are crucial for determining the accident's causes. The Ministry emphasized that protocols are in place for handling the black boxes, with oversight from the AAIB and the Indian embassy. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also met with Air India executives to discuss operational continuity and passenger safety, while reinforcing wildlife hazard management at airports to enhance security. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 8 pm

Monsoon Boosts Storage in India's Key Reservoirs

India's major reservoirs have seen an increase in storage levels this week, attributed to the revival of the south-west monsoon after a brief hiatus. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), current storage stands at 31.81% of the total capacity, amounting to 58.030 billion cubic metres (BCM), surpassing both last year's levels and the 10-year average. While the southern and western regions reported improved storage, the northern and eastern zones experienced declines. Notably, Tamil Nadu's reservoirs are at 80% capacity, while Maharashtra and Gujarat are at 33% and 31%, respectively. The overall monsoon deficiency has decreased significantly from 31% to 5% this month, enhancing prospects for the kharif crop sowing season, which has already expanded by 1.5 lakh hectares. The CWC's report indicates a positive outlook for agricultural activities as the monsoon continues to impact various regions. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 8 pm

Govt seeks industry feedback on India-ASEAN FTA issues

India's exports to the ASEAN bloc fell by 5.7% to $38.96 billion in FY25, while imports rose by 5.6% to $84.16 billion, exacerbating the trade deficit to $45.2 billion from approximately $8 billion in 2010. The decline in exports is concerning, particularly as over half of these transactions occur outside the India-ASEAN free trade agreement (AITIGA), with exporters often paying standard import duties instead of the preferential rates intended under the pact. In response, the Indian government is gathering industry feedback to identify barriers to the agreement's utilization, which remains below 50%. The Commerce Department is focusing on operational challenges, procedural bottlenecks, and market-related issues, particularly regarding the certificate of origin (COO) necessary for tariff benefits. Exporters are being asked about their awareness of COO procedures and any difficulties faced in compliance, documentation, and customs clearance. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 8 pm

L&T fined ₹1 crore for fatal Chennai Metro girder collapse

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has imposed a penalty of ₹1 crore on contractor Larsen & Toubro following an enquiry report that identified the company as primarily responsible for the collapse of two I-Girders in Manapakkam, which tragically resulted in the death of 43-year-old Ramesh from Nagercoil. In response to the incident, CMRL provided an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakhs to the victim's family, while L&T offered ₹20 lakhs. The report also held the Chief Safety Manager and Senior ESHS Manager accountable, leading to disciplinary action against them. Additionally, the General Consultant, responsible for oversight, was found secondarily liable, prompting action against its Safety Engineer and Senior Deputy Resident Engineer. Both the contractor and General Consultant officials have been removed from the project, as confirmed by CMRL sources. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 7 pm

GoCarin to establish feed plant in Odisha for livestock management

Livestock management start-up GoCarin is set to launch Odisha's largest cattle feed manufacturing plant in Balasore by November, according to founder Ramanuj Pande. The new facility, which will complement an existing plant in West Bengal, will have a capacity of 250 tonnes per day, serving farmers in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. GoCarin, established in June 2022, connects farmers with veterinary services through its app, which offers nutritional advice and a feed calculator. Pande highlighted the nutritional deficiencies in traditional cattle feed, which hinder productivity, and emphasized the company's innovative formulations using seaweeds and algae to enhance cattle health and reduce methane emissions. With plans to expand its product range and technological capabilities, including an app feature for assessing cattle health, GoCarin aims to strengthen its market presence and explore international opportunities, including potential exports to Bangladesh. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 7 pm

India launches fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project

India has launched an ambitious initiative to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), aimed at enhancing its air power capabilities. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the defence ministry, has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify Indian companies capable of constructing five prototypes of the AMCA. This medium-weight, deep penetration fighter jet is designed with advanced stealth features and is expected to complement the Tejas light combat aircraft as a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force. The ADA's EOI invites applications from single companies, joint ventures, or consortia with relevant aerospace and defence experience. Shortlisted entities must demonstrate the ability to establish a manufacturing facility for mass production. The contract for the development, prototyping, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA is expected to be completed within eight years from the contract's effective date. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 7 pm

Defence Ministry forms panel to review 2020 Acquisition Procedure

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has established a committee to conduct a thorough review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, aiming to enhance the integration of rapidly evolving technologies and address barriers faced by private firms. Chaired by the Director General (Acquisition), the committee will engage with stakeholders and deliver its findings within six months, aligning with the MoD's vision of 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms.' The review seeks to ensure timely modernization of the armed forces to bolster national security and promote 'Make in India' initiatives by facilitating joint ventures and foreign direct investment in defence manufacturing. The committee will also focus on fostering innovation within both public and private sectors, particularly among start-ups. With former IAS officer Apurva Chandra as Principal Advisor, the panel has commenced consultations and is open to suggestions from stakeholders until July 5, addressing procedural clarity and the adoption of new technologies. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 7 pm

Air India cuts international widebody flights by 15% temporarily

Air India has announced a 15% reduction in its international widebody flights starting June 20, following the tragic crash of a flight from Ahmedabad to London on June 12. The airline is implementing enhanced pre-flight safety checks on its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft as a confidence-building measure, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. These additional checks, mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), are expected to impact flight schedules for several weeks. So far, inspections on 26 of the 33 Boeing 787 aircraft have been completed, with the remaining undergoing planned maintenance. Wilson assured customers that those affected by schedule changes will be contacted for rebooking at no extra cost or offered a full refund. The updated international flight schedule is expected to be shared in the coming days, with the DGCA confirming that Air India's maintenance processes meet safety standards. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 6 pm

Equirus: India to Surpass G7 Growth, Report Predicts

India is set to contribute over 15% of global incremental GDP from 2025 to 2030, significantly outpacing Japan, Germany, and the entire G7, according to a report by Equirus, a prominent multi-family and private wealth company. The report highlights India's robust economic growth driven by favorable macroeconomic fundamentals, increased capital expenditure, and a resurgence in rural consumption. Equirus CEO Mitesh Shah emphasized that India is structurally better positioned than many G7 nations, as the global economic landscape shifts. Notably, while rural demand for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) is growing faster than urban demand, the report also forecasts that Bangladesh's contribution to the global economy will surpass Japan's. With a projected 17% rise in capital expenditure and a ₹2.5 lakh crore liquidity infusion, the report calls for a dynamic asset allocation strategy to navigate the evolving global market. sources

Published:
Jun 19 2025, 6 pm

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