India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
Mumbai: A comparison of BEST buses with bus systems globally reveals several potential lessons from successful bus operations in other world cities. Activists say that the wet-lease system of hiring buses from contractors is a 'complete failure' in the city. Globally, however, such systems have seen notable success, leading to increased service efficiency. London, for instance, introduced the wet-lease model in 1985 to tackle financial challenges in publicly owned entities. This facilitated reliable, high-quality bus services and proved equally effective during London's transition to electric buses.Also, Mexico City, Santiago, Shenzhen (world's first fully electric bus fleet) and Bogotaadopted the wet-lease model for e-bus operations.Rishi Agarwal, director of Mumbai Sustainability Centre, observed that the wet-leasing model's effectiveness abroad -- especially in London -- relies on well-designed, strictly enforced contracts. "Fares provide almost 60-80% of recovery of costs, there are third party audits to monitor bus quality and operational parameters. If it can be done in London it can be done here. It takes less than a month to design high quality contracts and implement them. Why are the decision makers not showing intent is the question to ask."New York City's bus system has taken several measures, including dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, and bus network redesigns to improve operations and attract ridership, with an aim for a fully zero-emission fleet by 2040. The Select Bus Service (SBS) in New York achieved travel time improvements and increased ridership by prioritising buses through dedicated lanes and signal adjustments, with studies showing 10-20% improvement in journey time.Transport analyst Ashok Datar from Mumbai Mobility Forum said BEST should emulate the New York model. He said that with a larger fleet, 140 to 150 buses per hour could operate on dedicated bus lanes on busy stretches like Western Express highway, increasing number of buses on that arterial route to nearly three times the current operation and providing bus every five minutes.London and New York have seen significant traffic and transit improvement after introduction of congestion pricing. Central Business District Tolling Program (congestion pricing) in New York, implemented from Jan 2025, resulted in almost all Manhattan buses achieving up to a 5% speed increase, especially benefiting express bus riders with time savings up to 10 minutes, say global media reports.State authorities are also identifying areas in Mumbai, like Bandra-Kurla complex, Nariman Point, Worli and Lower Parel for potential congestion tax implementation, a senior official from the transport commissioner's office told TOI. "After a regulatory framework is established, the authorities may levy a fee for vehicles to enter these busy hubs during peak hours, similar to congestion pricing in London and New York," the official said, adding that public transport buses would be prioritised for commuters.Sudhir Badami, author of 'Matter of Equitability -- Making commuting in Mumbai enviable', has advocated for premium Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on the scale of Transmilenio in Bogota. Badami says having BRTS on metro corridors could have displaced 65% of private traffic and delivered buses in central lanes at a frequency as low as every 20 seconds. He said such measures would not only enhance frequency and commuter convenience but also improve safety due to negligible accident risk.Public policy (transportation) analyst Paresh Rawal said funding public transport with local property taxes is an established practice in many global cities.Avinash Dubedi, Program Head - Transport, Sustainable Cities, WRI India, said consistent support by BMC/state govt is vital for BEST to bridge the viability gap between operating costs and earnings, focus on enhancing bus accessibility in line with service benchmarks of up to 60 buses per lakh population.
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The Society for Employment Promotion and Training in Twin Cities (Setwin) announced plans to introduce electric mini buses in Hyderabad to combat pollution, which is decided in a recent review meeting. Setwin operates 37 buses across six routes, serving the public in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Setwin chairman N. Giridhar Reddy and managing director K. Venu Gopal Rao said the decision aligns with the RTA Act, which mandates the replacement of buses older than 15 years. The resolution to transition to electric buses has been passed, and plans a ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Centre is likely to build a new 6-7 km Metro line from Indraprastha station to North Block, connecting Bharat Mandapam, C Hexagon at India Gate, Kartavya Path, Central Secretariat, and the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum at the North and South Blocks. The underground corridor will provide connectivity to all the 10 proposed govt buildings along the Kartavya Path and India Gate, Delhi's most popular tourist spots. Sources said the proposed stretch will be an extension of the 12.3 km Inderlok-Indraprastha Metro corridor (Green Line), which was approved by the Union cabinet in Mar ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 8 (ANI): The upcoming union budget 2025-26 should focus on giving personal tax relief to common taxpayers by raising the basic exemption limit in the new tax regime from Rs 3 lakhs to Rs5 lakhs and reducing tax rates, suggests global consulting and professional services firm Ernst & Young India (EY India). EY India also asks for deferring tax deduction at source (TDS) on PF interest rate (above 2.5 lakhs) until the withdrawal stage to reduce compliance burden. In the previous budget TDS rate rationalization was undertaken to a certain extent. To further simplify th ...Read More >
Bengaluru: In a significant milestone for Bengaluru's public transport system, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) registered its highest-ever single-day ridership on June 4, with a record 9,66,732 commuters utilizing Namma Metro services. The achievement highlights the growing reliance on the metro as the city's primary mode of travel. The surge in passenger numbers was witnessed across various metro lines, with Line 1 accounting for 4,78,334 commuters and Line 2 seeing a ridership of 2,84,674. The Kempegowda Interchange Station (KGWA) at Majestic, one of the city's busiest ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
Mumbai: The death toll in Monday's BEST bus crash rose to seven and the number of injured to 42 even as the driver, Sanjay More, booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, claimed he had noticed a spark and mistakenly accelerated the bus instead of applying brakes. Seeking More's custody, police said they want to investigate if he intentionally used the vehicle as a weapon. The bus on Route 332 had accelerated on a congested 200m stretch near Kurla station hitting vehicles and pedestr ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Lucknow: A man accused of raping a three-year-old girl died in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police in Lucknow on Friday, a day after a complaint was registered against him. The accused was identified as Deepak Verma. After receiving the complaint, the police formed five teams and launched a manhunt operation to nab Kumar. Kumar was initially injured in the gunfight. However, he succumbed to injuries during treatment. "Accused Deepak Verma, who was injured in an encounter with the Police, has died during treatment," DCP Central Lucknow Ashish Srivastava told news agency ANI. The girl was a ...Read More >
The Baatara Gorge Waterfall, also known as the "Cave of Three Bridges," is one of Lebanon's most enchanting natural wonders. This unique geological formation in Tannourine has been captivating visitors for centuries. In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to visit this breathtaking site. From practical tips to essential information, we've got you covered! The ideal time to visit the Baatara Gorge Waterfall is in the springtime, specifically between March and May. Why? Well, this is when the snow from the mountains around melts down, providing water to the fall an ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): The GSEC in Hyderabad will be the first of its kind in the APAC region after Tokyo and only the fifth globally, with similar facilities in Dublin, Munich, and Malaga, according to a statement. This GSEC is a specialised international cybersecurity hub designed to play a crucial role in developing advanced security and online safety products tailored for the Indian context. The centre will focus on cutting-edge research, AI-driven security solutions, and creating a collaborative platform for leading experts and researchers in cybersecurity. It also aims to ...Read More >
India's housing market is booming, with 2024 projected to be the best year yet. Over 300,000 homes worth ₹510,000 crore are expected to be sold across the top seven cities, driven by economic growth and infrastructure improvements. Sales in the first nine months already reached nearly 230,000 homes, indicating continued robust demand and rising capital values.India's housing property market continues to remain on a strong footing, with the year 2024 expected to end as the best year ever in term ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 26 (VOICE) India in 2024 saw a boom in employment rates, with women and youth leading the charge in workforce participation, according to a report.The report by Apna.co, a job and professional networking platform, showed women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications -- 20 per cent higher than in 2023. Similarly, the youth posted a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in job applications. Women contributed an impressive 2.8 crore job applications out of a total of 7 crore, a 25 per cent year-on-year surge, in 2024. Flexible work opportunities, gender-focused initiativ ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 27 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released its manifesto for the next month Assembly election with 15 guarantees, including employment and the women's dignity scheme. While releasing the manifesto on Monday, AAP's national convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Kejriwal's guarantees are solid," emphasising that free electricity for 24 hours, free water, free education, free pilgrimage for senior citizens, free bus travel for women, and free medical treatment in hospitals and Mohalla Clinics will continue in Delhi. He alleged, "BJP leaders and spokespersons ...Read More >
New norms to avoid another Bengaluru stampede, said Home Minister G Parameshwara. Bengaluru: Karnataka government will formulate a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for mega events, meetings and celebrations aimed at preventing any untoward incidents, state Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday. The initiative comes in the wake of the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday that claimed 11 lives. Speaking to reporters, Mr Parameshwara said that the governm ...Read More >
LUCKNOW: Hours after the abduction and rape of a three-year-old girl sleeping with her mother under a bridge near Alambagh metro station, the accused was killed in an encounter with Lucknow police early Friday.The accused, identified as Deepak Verma, a habitual offender with multiple criminal cases lodged across city police stations, was traced through CCTV footage that captured him fleeing with the child on a white scooter around 3.30 am on Thursday.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) Ashish Srivastava said multiple police teams were formed immediately after the incident, and a rewar ...Read More >
Mumbai: Recycling of packaging material into something useful and lasting for the community is an initiative that represents the kind of sustainable thinking Mumbai needs, said Jeetendra V Pardeshi, Superintendent of Gardens, BMC. "Such partnerships can bring sustainability into public spaces, and the public can actively participate in this transformation," Pardeshi said on Thursday, about a set of garden benches, made entirely from recycled Tetra Pak cartons, that were donated to Patwardhan Park in Bandra. The inauguration of the benches marked the start of a campaign to collect used bevera ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics, a defunct subsidiary of the stock exchange NSE, has launched ESG ratings services for listed companies. It marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable business practices in India. Also Read | Startup Growth in India: Country Now Has 1.76 Lakh Registered Startups and 118 Unicorns, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman. NSE Sustainability focuses on assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, providing stakeholders with vital information to make informed decisions. The company NSE Sus ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Jun 6 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao should face an inquiry by the judicial commission on the Kaleshwaram project instead of attacking the Congress government. Addressing a public meeting after attending various development programmes in Yadadri-Bhuvanagri district, he referred to the judicial panel summoning KCR and the BRS criticising the state government on the matter. The judicial commission is probing the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project built during the BRS regime. "He (KCR) is getting restles ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4: In a significant move to enhance customer experience and protect citizens, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. The higher number of nominees aims to reduce unclaimed deposits in banks. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that depositors will have the option of successive or simultaneous nomination facility, while locker holders will have only successive nominations. Another sweeping change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directors ...Read More >
Mumbai BEST accident: Amid ongoing investigations into the Kurla accident case, the Mumbai police on Tuesday, sought custody of the driver of the electric bus - operated by the civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), which led to the death of seven persons, and injured 42 others on December 10. Reportedly, the Mumbai police suspect that the driver, Sanjay More, might have 'deliberately' attacked the people, using the bus as a 'weapon'. A magistrate court has now ruled that More would be under the custody of Mumbai Police until December 21. The Mumbai Police presented San ...Read More >
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), considered the richest civic body in the country, tabled its budget of Rs 74,427 crore for 2025-26 at its headquarters in Mumbai on Tuesday. The additional municipal commissioners presented the budget to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, the state-appointed administrator. BMC is currently run by an administrator since the term of the corporators ended on March 7, 2022. This is the third year of the budget being presented to the administrator, in deviation from the norm where the municipal commissioner presents the budget to the standing co ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: Infocity police in Gandhinagar registered a theft case on Wednesday after materials worth Rs 3.81 lakh were stolen from the GNLU metro station at Koba village. This was the third theft reported on the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro rail network in the past two weeks.Ravindrasinh Bihola, a 27-year-old security guard, filed the FIR with Infocity police. He stated that he was posted at the GNLU metro station for the past three months. He was on night duty from 8 pm to 8 am. According to his complaint, the theft occurred during the intervening night of May 30 and May 31.Bihola said that th ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat Trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha called it a momentous occasion that will go down in history. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of Jammu Kashmir and the nation. "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a ...Read More >
The South Western Railway (SWR) is poised to unveil its long-awaited Class 701 Arterio trains during a ceremonial event at London Waterloo Station. This significant milestone marks the end of a prolonged five-year delay for the £1bn fleet, originally commissioned in 2017 and expected to enter service by November 2019. While delays have hindered the fleet's initial rollout, the deployment is set to reshape regional travel, bringing modernized infrastructure to one of the UK's busiest rail networks. The Class 701 Arterio trains, built by Derby-based Bombardier, faced extensive delays due to sig ...Read More >
India Budget: The Union Budget 2025-26 should prioritise giving tax relief to common taxpayers by raising the basic exemption limit in the new tax regime from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh and lowering tax rates, according to Ernst & Young India (EY India), a global consulting firm. EY India also recommended delaying the tax deduction at source (TDS) on provident fund (PF) interest above ₹2.5 lakh until the withdrawal stage to reduce the compliance burden on taxpayers. Also Read: India to simplify decades-old income tax filing rules in Budget In the last budget, some TDS rate rationalisation was intro ...Read More >
Mumbai Rains: With local train delays and severe road congestion already troubling commuters, the situation has worsened as a section of the newly launched Mumbai Metro Line 3 has been temporarily suspended. Metro Line 3 will not be operational between Worli and Acharya Atre Chowk until further notice. The arrival of the Southwest Monsoon in Mumbai has brought with it chaos and disruption across the city. With local train delays and severe road congestion already troubling commuters, the situation has worsened as a section of the newly launched Mumbai Metro Line 3 has been temporarily suspend ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited, a joint venture of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), has signed the contract for the development of a multimodal facility complex (MMFC) and the redevelopment of the Kuralagam Building at Broadway. The project to redevelop the property at a cost of Rs 566.59 crores was awarded to Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited. The work is being executed by the Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML) along with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). As per the contract agreement sig ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Lucknow, June 6: A man accused of abduction and rape of a three-year-old girl in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was killed in an encounter with police on Friday. The accused was identified as Deepak Verma by the police after scanning CCTV footage that showed him with the child. The officials said he was a habitual offender with criminal cases lodged across the city police stations. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) Ashish Srivastava said five police teams were formed immediately after the incident was reported, and a reward of Rs one lakh was announced for his arrest. Police, after identi ...Read More >