TRENDS
FASTag toll collections fall 31% to Rs 2,125 crore in May from levels in March
The absence of a nationwide lockdown this year may have cushioned the drop in revenue from vehicles using toll roads
TRENDS
RITES wins two orders worth Rs 1,741 crore for railway electrification
The projects are part of the government’s plan to complete electrification of the country’s rail tracks by 2024 and reduce dependence on fossil fuels
TRENDS
Domestic airlines' daily cash burn estimated at Rs 10-25 crore in Apr-Jun
Airlines have a high cash burn rate as they struggle to sustain operations with low passenger traffic and high fuel cost. This situation is likely to continue because air traffic is not expected to return to normal levels for a long time
BUSINESS
Exclusive| Indian Railway Finance Corp raises Rs 1,994 crore in June through 20-yr bonds
The company's bonds have been in high demand following the central government's decision to boost spending on infrastructure projects to lead the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery. The finance arm of the Indian Railways plans to raise over Rs 1 lakh crore in fiscal year 2022.
TRENDS
NHAI to crack down on road developers for delaying projects, ignoring quality standards
Defaulters will be liable to pay fines of as much as Rs 10 crore and can be banned from bidding for contracts for up to three years
BUSINESS
As exports rise, container prices increase at major Indian ports
The average price of a 20-ft dry container in Mundra at the end of May stood at around $1,550 compared to $1,163 in June 2020, while for Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, it was at $1,700 in May against $1,075 in June 2020, market sources told Moneycontrol.
TRENDS
NHAI to delay InvIT launch till road traffic is restored to pre-COVID-19, second wave levels
Fall in toll collection due to the outbreak of the second wave and lockdowns being imposed by different states across the country have caused the company to defer decision; other asset monetization plans also put on hold
TRENDS
Indian Railways installs aircraft-style toilets in all long distance train
The new aircraft-style toilets not only improve sanitation in trains and railway stations, they also prevent corrosion of tracks from scattered human excreta, which adds Rs 400 crore a year to maintenance costs.
TRENDS
Indian Railways looks to diversify freight mix, tap alternatives
Currently, Coal has an outsized share of the freight carried by Indian Railways.
TRENDS
Indian Railways' passenger occupancy falls to 45% as COVID-19 case numbers surge
The Indian Railways has adopted a flexible approach, cancelling trains when demand drops and quickly adding new ones if there is a rush.
TRENDS
CCI okays acquisition of additional 25% shareholding of Krishnapatnam Port by Adani Ports
On April 5, Adani Ports, which had last year acquired a 75 percent stake in Krishnapatnam Port, announced that it has acquired an additional 25 percent stake in the port, making it a fully owned port.
TRENDS
COVID-19 | Covaxin trials to begin on children aged 2-18 years, says government
Currently, most children aged 2-18 years when infected by COVID-19 are usually asymptomatic and the disease is mild when it infects them.
TRENDS
NHAI plans to launch first tranche of InvIT by end of May: Officials
NHAI has also decided to keep its InvIT IPO open only for institutional investors. It plans to raise ₹5,100 crore through a fresh issue, as per the draft papers filed with SEBI. In addition, there would be an offer for sale, say sources.
TRENDS
Explained | Impact of Cairn Energy's lawsuit on Air India's divestment plans
There are three major issues the government will face while trying to complete its divestment in Air India -- the timeline for the completion of stake sale, valuation of Air India and its assets, and a potential seizure of Air India’s assets by Cairn.
TRENDS
COVID-19 | 4.32 lakh railway employees vaccinated so far, says Railway Board Chairman Suneet Sharma
The national carrier has transported 10,000 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen on its 'Oxygen Express' trains.
TRENDS
Airports in Gujarat and Goa suspend operations as Cyclone Tauktae approaches
Operations of airports at Surat, Barodara, Lakswadeep, Bhavnagar, Port Bandar, Dui, Jamnagar, and Bhuj have been temporarily suspended.
TRENDS
Vistara gets Rs 465-crore fund infusion from Tata Sons, Singapore Airlines
Vistara plans to expand its operation significantly by 2023, which is the primary reason behind the carrier’s aggressive capital infusion moves. The airline has already started flying to London and Tokyo this year and has filed for permission in the US to fly from September.
TRENDS
Hoarding, black marketing of medicines and oxygen devices soars in Delhi
The acute scarcity of medicines and devices needed for COVID-19 patients has led to hoarding and black marketing by some unscrupulous chemists, doctors, hospital staff, ambulance drivers and medical salespersons. Delhi police has booked many people including a restauranteur who hoarded 500 oxygen concentrators.
TRENDS
Railway Board Chairman Suneet Sharma says over 1,900 personnel succumbed to COVID-19 since last year
Sharma added that presently around 4,000 patients, including both staff and family members of railways staff, are admitted in hospitals run by the national carrier.
TRENDS
Second wave of COVID-19 could bring down GDP growth to 8.2% if cases peak by June-end, says Crisil
The rating agency had projected India's GDP to grow 11 percent in 2021-22 at the beginning of the current financial year. In case the COVID-19 pandemic reaches a peak number of cases by May-end, the GDP growth will fall to around 9.8 percent, it says.
TRENDS
Explained | How India’s vaccination drive for the aviation sector will cost around Rs 30 crore and take about six to eight weeks
The country’s aviation industry employees are estimated to be close to 250,000 and the average cost of vaccinating each employee is likely to be Rs 1,200; Civil Aviation Ministry asks airports to setup temporary structures for expediting inoculations
ECONOMY
Delhi citizens grapple with crippling medical deficiencies amid second wave of pandemic
Scarce and overpriced medical supplies, non-availability of oxygen and exorbitantly priced ambulances to take those seriously ill or dying to far flung corners of the national capital; these are some of the outstanding features that constitute life in the metro today
TRENDS
COVID-19 | Government comes out with guidelines for vaccinating of aviation personnel
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in a notification, has asked airport operators to tie-up with State governments or private service providers such as hospitals to set up COVID-19 vaccination centres.
TRENDS
COVID-19 crisis: Air India pilots' union threatens strike if members not vaccinated at the earliest
In its statement, the union said with no healthcare support to the flying crew, no insurance, and a massive opportunistic pay cut pilots are in no position to continue risking their lives without vaccination.
