Business

Thane, April 7 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the construction of the 11.84 km Thane-Borivali twin tunnel on Tuesday, which will pass under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).The road tunnel, which will shorten the distance between the north-western Mumbai suburb of Borivali and Thane city, is expected to be completed by May 2028, Fadnavis said on this occasion."This is a green project... 11,000 trees will be planted as part of the compensatory measures. Since the structure is entirely underground, the biodiversity of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park remains protected," he said.Deputy CM Eknath Shinde would personally monitor the project's progress, Fadnavis further said.The project is being implemented...

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, recently convened a meeting of its Core Group on Right to Food and Nutrition. The discussion focused intensely on the theme, 'Tackling Food Adulteration in India: Understanding the Scale, Challenges and Reforms.'During the meeting, NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, chaired the proceedings. Attendees included Members Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, and Secretary General Shri Bharat Lal. The gathering also saw participation from Director General (Investigation) Smt. Anupama Nilekar Chandra, Registrar (Law) Shri Joginder Singh, and other senior government functionaries, human rights defenders, consumer activists, and domain experts...

New Delhi, April 7 The price of silver plummeted by Rs 1,479 to Rs 2.31 lakh per kilogram in futures trading on Tuesday, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rising inflation concerns that dampened investor sentiment.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the white metal for May delivery decreased by Rs 1,479, or 0.63 per cent, to Rs 2,31,900 per kg in a trading volume of 5,873 lots.Analysts said that silver remained under pressure as traders were closely monitoring geopolitical developments in West Asia and their potential impact on global growth and monetary policy.In global markets, silver futures on the Comex for the May contract fell by nearly 1 per cent to USD 72.41 per ounce in New York.Silver remained near...

Bank of Baroda unveiled bob SAMVAD, an AI-powered multilingual conversational platform, which was formally launched in Mumbai on March 28th, 2026, by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance. The platform is positioned as an industry-first effort designed to transform customer interactions within bank branches.The goal of bob SAMVAD is to eliminate language barriers, allowing customers and branch staff to communicate seamlessly using their preferred language.Secretary, DFS, commended Bank of Baroda for its innovative application of technology to improve the customer experience and bridge linguistic gaps in banking. He stated that the initiative is expected to promote more...

New Delhi, April 7 Gold prices fell by Rs 610 to Rs 1.49 lakh per 10 grams in futures trading on Tuesday as rising crude oil rates and escalating tensions in the Middle East dampened demand for the safe-haven asset and kept investors cautious.On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal for June delivery depreciated by Rs 610, or 0.41 per cent, to Rs 1,49,371 per 10 grams in a trading volume of 7,270 lots.Gold traded slightly lower on Tuesday as crude oil rose towards USD 115 per barrel amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, said Gaurav Garg, Research Analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk.The surge in energy prices has created a risk-off sentiment among investors, leading to cautious trading in gold...

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing Industry stands as a key initiative by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to reinforce India's food processing sector, promote Indian brands globally, and foster global food manufacturing champions. This scheme is operational for a period spanning six years, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27, with a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore. The focus areas of the scheme include increasing value addition in the food processing sector, expanding processing capacity, and generating employment, with a specific emphasis on rural and off-farm job creation.The scheme structure covers several components, targeting the manufacturing of four major food product segments: Ready...

New Delhi, April 7 Cash payments at toll plazas will be discontinued for travelers on national highways from April 10, the road transport and highways ministry has said.In a gazette notification, the ministry has said that in cases where a vehicle enters a fee plaza without a valid FASTag, users can still pay via Unified Payment Interface (UPI), but at a higher charge of 1.25 times the applicable toll fee.A senior NHAI official said that the move is aimed at reducing long queues at toll gates and make highway travel smoother for commuters.The official said that cash payments will no longer be accepted at the toll booths from April 10 and FASTag will remain the primary mode of toll collection, while UPI will serve as the fallback...

New Delhi, April 7 – The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Canada benefits greatly from the complementary nature of the two countries' economies, according to a new report.The report, published by Asian News Post, highlighted that India's rapidly growing consumer market, strength in the services sector, and manufacturing push complement Canada's resource base, advanced research, and expertise in clean technology.This complementary nature creates a natural basis for mutually beneficial economic cooperation in renewable energy, critical minerals, and technology exchange.The CEPA could boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 and increase investment, strengthen supply chains, and...

New Delhi, April 7 – Air India confirmed on Tuesday the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson.In a statement, the airline said that a committee has been formed to find a successor in the coming months."Wilson had informed Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in 2024 that he intended to step down in 2026, and since then, he has been working to ensure that the organization and leadership team are stable for the transition," the airline stated."He will remain in the role until his successor is announced and in place," it added.Commenting on the development, Wilson said that the four years since Air India's privatization have seen the acquisition and successful merger of four airlines...

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemical & Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, extended greetings on World Health Day, emphasizing the nation's commitment to preventive and promotive healthcare.In a statement on the X platform, Shri Nadda noted that World Health Day serves as a reminder for everyone to adopt better health practices and maintain a balanced lifestyle. He highlighted that India's healthcare approach merges age-old wisdom with modern science, contributing to improved lives both nationally and globally.The Minister pointed to the strengthening of the healthcare system under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He cited transformative initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the PM Bharatiya...

New Delhi, April 7 The telecom department expects that the reassessment of AGR for Vodafone Idea – which recently received government relief for its dues and liabilities – will be completed by June, sources said.The reassessment was initially targeted for completion by March 31.Sources said the review of Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) is underway, following the internal licence fee reassessment by the Controller of Communication Accounts.Accordingly, the timeline has been extended to June, sources said.The Union Cabinet has provided relief to Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) based on the Supreme Court order, and has "frozen" its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues at ₹87,695 crore for a period ranging from FY 2006-07 to FY 2018-19.The...

New Delhi, April 7 – Air India announced on Tuesday a revision in fuel surcharge across domestic and international routes, in response to rising global jet fuel prices.For domestic routes, the airline said it will switch from a flat surcharge to a distance-based structure, effective from Wednesday.The revised surcharge will range from ₹299 for flights up to 500 kms to ₹899 for sectors above 2,000 kms.This move follows the government's decision to cap the increase in domestic Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices at 25 per cent, which allows airlines to adopt a calibrated approach in passing on costs to passengers.However, the airline will implement steeper revisions due to the absence of similar price controls on ATF for...

New Delhi, April 7: Global geopolitical tensions are beginning to weigh on India's economic outlook, but the country is still expected to maintain steady growth, with GDP growth projected at 6.2 per cent for FY2027, a report said on Tuesday.The data, compiled by Morgan Stanley, projects India's growth, even as rising energy costs, supply disruptions, and external pressures pose fresh challenges.However, this is lower than earlier estimates of 6.5 per cent, the report stated. The downgrade reflects the impact of higher crude oil prices, which are assumed to average around $95 per barrel.More expensive energy imports are increasing production costs for businesses and contributing to inflation, while also putting pressure on the...

New Delhi, April 7 As global supply chains realign and businesses look at setting up facilities outside China, India has emerged as a long-term strategic investment destination, with competitive export potential for Japanese mid-sized companies to partner with Indian MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to drive growth.The India–Japan 'Joint Vision for the Next Decade', adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo in August 2025, encourages cooperation among SMEs by fostering visits by Japanese SMEs to India and by expanding downstream industries.Japan aims to help its companies view India as a production base, considering its export-focused policies and its extensive trade agreement network, according to an...

New Delhi, April 7 – More than 70 per cent of consumers said they would continue using quick commerce platforms even if discounts were reduced, indicating a shift towards speed and convenience over price in everyday purchases, according to a report released on Tuesday.Local grocery stores remain central for routine grocery purchases and trust-based transactions in India, even though 51 per cent of consumers reported a decline in reliance on these stores over the past year, according to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.Around 45 per cent of consumers use quick commerce for last-minute or urgent purchases, 24 per cent use it for daily top-ups such as milk and bread, and 19 per cent for impulse purchases including snacks and...

New Delhi, April 7 – Automobile firm Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) announced on Tuesday the commencement of production of the updated Volkswagen Taigun at its Pune facility, further strengthening its "Make in India, for India and the world" strategy.According to the company, the updated Taigun features a refreshed design and enhanced premium features, while being tailored for Indian driving conditions. It continues to focus on European driving dynamics, comfort, and safety standards."The start of production of the new Volkswagen Taigun underscores the maturity of our manufacturing ecosystem in India," said Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of the company.He added that the company's Indian facilities...

New Delhi, April 7 Crude oil prices rose by nearly 3 per cent to hit a record high of Rs 10,888 per barrel in futures trading on Tuesday, driven by strong global cues as tensions between the US and Iran intensified ahead of President Donald Trump's deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude oil for April delivery increased by Rs 300, or 2.83 per cent, to hit a lifetime high of Rs 10,888 per barrel.Similarly, the May contract also advanced by Rs 170, or 1.82 per cent, to touch a fresh record high of Rs 9,485 per barrel on the MCX."Crude oil prices remained firm as geopolitical tensions intensified ahead of US President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran, keeping markets highly sensitive...

New Delhi, April 7: Retail sector leasing in India’s top eight cities witnessed steady demand, reaching 1.95 million square feet in Q1 2026, amid limited new mall supply, a report said on Tuesday.The report from commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield said leasing moderated by 28 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 10 per cent year-on-year."This moderation follows a strong 2025, which recorded 9.21 million square feet of leasing, the highest annual performance in the post-COVID period, indicating that occupier interest remains intact despite near-term supply constraints," the report said.Despite the absence of new supply, mall leasing strengthened during the quarter, accounting for 47 per cent of total leasing...

New Delhi, April 7 Food startup KisaanSay has raised ₹34 crore from investors, including NABVENTURES and senior industry leaders, to expand its business.Founded by Nitin Puri, Vaishali Mehta & Manoj Karki, KisaanSay offers consumers a range of single-origin food products.In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it has closed a ₹34 crore funding round led by NABVENTURES through the AgriSURE Fund (Agri Fund for Startups & Rural Enterprises).The round also saw participation from senior industry leaders.KissanSay will use the funds to scale its distribution, marketing, and brand-building efforts, further strengthen the team, and deploy a full-stack technology infrastructure.Nitin Puri, Founder, KisaanSay, said, "Combined with...

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, commended Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul for achieving an annual turnover exceeding ₹1 lakh crore in the financial year 2025-26.Shri Amit Shah stated that the milestone achieved by Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul in 2025-26 serves as a clear illustration of the robust strength and immense potential within the cooperative sector. The Minister noted that this achievement marks a historic moment not only for the cooperative banking and dairy sectors but will also inject new energy into the ongoing mission of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.In his commendation, Shri Amit Shah extended heartfelt congratulations to all the Karamyogies associated with Amul and Saraswat...