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India's ambitious Vadhvan port project in Maharashtra is poised for construction, pending the completion of land acquisition across 24 villages, crucial for establishing road and rail connectivity. Gaurav Dayal, Chairperson of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), revealed that the estimated cost for land acquisition has surged to ₹2,000 crore. With major contracts awarded and preliminary surveys completed, construction of the ₹76,220-crore port is expected to commence within two months. The project includes nearshore and offshore reclamation, alongside a 10.14-kilometre breakwater. While no residents will be displaced, local opposition from villagers and fishermen has posed challenges, although recent cooperation has emerged for compensation assessments. Preparatory works are underway, with contracts issued for reclamation and breakwater construction, set to utilize a Hybrid Annuity Model for funding. The successful completion of land acquisition and regulatory approvals will be pivotal for meeting the Phase-1 target of operationalizing four container terminals by 2030. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 12 pmeznews.inBoeing announced on Wednesday that it anticipates airlines in India and South Asia will require 3,290 new commercial jets over the next two decades, driven by robust economic growth, an expanding middle class, and a surge in first-time flyers. This revised forecast marks a significant increase from Boeing's earlier projection of 2,835 jets in its previous 20-year market outlook. The aerospace giant's updated estimate reflects the region's growing air travel demand, highlighting the potential for substantial expansion in the aviation sector as more people seek to travel by air. The announcement underscores the importance of the Indian and South Asian markets in the global aviation landscape, as they continue to evolve and adapt to changing consumer behaviors and economic conditions. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inAir India is poised for a transformative year, marked by the arrival of its first line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, custom-built for the airline, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. Speaking at Wings India 2026, Wilson emphasized that this year will see significant upgrades to the fleet, with three additional 787-9s and two A350 1000s expected by year-end. He projected that by 2027 and 2028, Air India's long-haul wide-body fleet will undergo substantial changes, enhancing the travel experience with upgraded business class accommodations. The Wings India event, held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, serves as a vital platform for the aviation sector, featuring discussions on various industry topics, including sustainable aviation fuel and advanced air mobility. The four-day event, organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI, includes exhibitions, roundtables, and awards, aiming to foster collaboration within the global aviation community. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union is poised to enhance the country's economic landscape, according to Moody's Ratings. The deal, which has been in negotiation for nearly two decades, will grant duty-free access to 93% of Indian exports to the EU, benefiting a market of approximately 2 billion people. Moody's highlighted that the FTA will attract foreign investment, bolster manufacturing, and improve the competitiveness of India's labour-intensive sectors. While the EU will gain duty-free access for over 90% of its goods in India over a decade, India will initially eliminate duties on only 30% of European imports. Notably, tariffs on luxury cars and wines from the EU will decrease significantly, with car duties dropping from 110% to 10% for a limited number of vehicles. The agreement is expected to be formally signed and implemented later this year, contingent on improvements in business regulations. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe recently signed India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is poised to enhance the competitiveness of Indian aerospace manufacturers by lowering tariff-related costs and facilitating access to European markets. Industry experts highlight that the pact will not only benefit exporters but also domestic-focused companies by improving the availability of aerospace-grade raw materials and capital equipment from Europe, which accounts for 20-25% of global aerospace production. With rising demand for commercial aircraft, Indian manufacturers are presented with significant opportunities to engage with European customers. Aravind Melligeri, CEO of Aequs Ltd., described the agreement as a "win-win," particularly for firms with substantial EU market exposure. The FTA is expected to bolster India's credibility as a manufacturing partner and encourage European firms to invest in higher-value projects in India, provided Indian suppliers maintain quality and reliability. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 1 pmeznews.inLeaders from India's fertilizer, agri-tech, and dairy sectors are urging the upcoming Union Budget to establish a framework for a modern and self-reliant agricultural ecosystem. Rajib Chokarborty, President of the Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association, emphasized the need for a strategic reform of the Fertilizer Control Order, alongside digitisation and deregulation, to promote nutrient-rich farming. Key expectations include recognizing non-subsidised fertilizers as strategic materials and enhancing domestic production capabilities. Sanjiv Kanwar from Yara South Asia called for a harmonized regulatory framework to boost innovation and productivity. Rohit Bajaj highlighted the importance of supporting agri-focused MSMEs to improve mechanisation, while Preet Sandhu stressed the need for infrastructure to advance India's drone economy. Ranjith Mukundan pointed out the potential for India to increase its dairy exports through improved agri-tech and cold-chain infrastructure. As Budget 2026 approaches, industry leaders seek policies that foster innovation and strengthen India's agricultural resilience. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 12 pmeznews.inThe Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced a significant investment of ₹15,000 crore for the modernisation of Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, as stated by AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar during the Wings India 2026 roundtable. The initiative will incorporate full automation through artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Kumar highlighted the importance of enhancing airport capacity and quality, particularly through the development of multiple airports, noting that India is experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%, significantly outpacing the global average of 3.5%. Meanwhile, Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings, pointed out the challenges of policy advocacy, technology adoption, and bilateral seat allocation, emphasizing that India lags in technology integration within the aviation sector. He urged a stronger focus on aviation-related manufacturing to position India as a global aviation hub. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIn its latest financial results, Dodla Dairy reported a net profit of ₹68.7 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2026, marking an 8.1% increase from ₹63.6 crore in the same period last year. Revenue surged to ₹1,025 crore, up 13.7% from ₹901.2 crore. For the nine-month period, the company achieved a net profit of ₹197.2 crore, a 2.7% rise from ₹192 crore, with revenues reaching ₹3,050.70 crore, reflecting an 8.5% growth. Despite robust volume growth, Managing Director Dodla Sunil Reddy noted that profit margins faced pressure due to higher procurement costs and a lack of bulk sales. The company also accounted for a one-time provision of ₹5.7 crore related to revised labour code guidelines, offset by a tax reversal of ₹21.9 crore. Looking ahead, Dodla Dairy plans to invest ₹50-60 crore in a greenfield expansion in Uganda, having secured a 70-acre land parcel. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 12 pmeznews.inOn the eve of Wings India 2026 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar announced that the organization anticipates a total revenue of ₹22,000 crore for the current financial year. While this figure remains consistent with last year's revenue, Kumar emphasized that it reflects growth, as last year's total included a one-time income. Looking ahead, AAI plans to invest ₹15,000 crore by 2028 as part of a modernization initiative for Air Traffic Control (ATC). This investment will enhance both technology and physical infrastructure across all airports, including those managed by AAI in the private sector. Kumar noted that the necessary funds for these investments will be sourced from internal resources. The announcements were made during a press interaction on January 27, 2026, highlighting AAI's commitment to improving aviation infrastructure in India. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIn a significant boost for India's textile industry, the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is set to eliminate tariffs on Indian textiles, enhancing competitiveness and export potential. Shaleen Toshniwal, Chairman of the Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (MATEXIL), expressed optimism about the deal, which comes at a time of global trade fragmentation and rising protectionism. Currently, Indian textiles face tariffs of 8-12% in the EU, while competitors like Bangladesh benefit from zero duties. The FTA is expected to facilitate market access for Indian exporters, particularly in the manmade fibre and technical textiles sectors, which generate approximately $1 billion each in exports. MATEXIL plans to assist its members in navigating the new trade landscape and aligning products with EU buyer requirements, positioning India as a key player in the European market and supporting the broader India Vision 2047 initiative. 
Published: Jan 28 2026, 11 am
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