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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
CMRS begins inspection of Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line, inauguration likely in August
The much-awaited Yellow Line of Bengaluru's Namma Metro moved a step closer to operations with the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) commencing inspection of the 19.15-km Reach-5 stretch between RV Road and Bommasandra on Tuesday. The fully elevated corridor, which features 16 stations, has faced multiple delays and was initially slated for completion in December 2021. According to Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), further inspections — including those at the operations control centre — are scheduled for July 25. The CMRS is expected to examine key infrastructure including the tracks, viaducts, station structures, signalling and telecommunication systems, and other subsystems. Once CMRS approval is secured and BMRCL complies with the conditions laid out, the Yellow Line will be opened to the public following final consultation with the Union and State Governments. BMRCL is reportedly planning a high-profile inauguration event in August, with officials preparing to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open the line. A private firm has reportedly been engaged to produce a documentary film showcasing the new corridor, including drone footage of the stations and route, for the inaugural programme. The event is tentatively scheduled for the first or second week of August. Sources indicated that the PM is also expected to inaugurate the Green Line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara at the same event. The Yellow Line will connect key locations in southern Bengaluru, including RV Road, Ragigudda, Jayadeva, and BTM Layout to Electronics City, and further up to Bommasandra, which houses major manufacturing and biotech firms. The Green Line extension will include the Majunathanagar, Chikkabidarakallu, and Madavara stations. In the run-up to the inspection and depending on readiness, BMRCL has drawn up three possible operational plans. The first involves opening the entire 16-station stretch with three trains at a frequency of 24 minutes. The second plan proposes partial operation between RV Road and Bommasandra with a limited number of seven stations. The third option is to run services between Bommasandra and Central Silk Board alone. The Yellow Line has suffered significant delays, primarily due to disruptions in the supply of metro coaches. CRRC, the Chinese firm originally contracted to supply the rolling stock, failed to meet the 75 per cent local manufacturing requirement mandated by the Make in India policy. The issue was exacerbated by the India-China border standoff in June 2020, complications with foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, and Covid-related disruptions. To resolve the impasse, CRRC partnered with Titagarh Rail Systems in Kolkata to manufacture and deliver the coaches domestically. However, visa delays for Chinese engineers and the late arrival of propulsion systems from Japan further slowed down the testing and commissioning of the corridor.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Entrepreneurial spirit lights up Surat at ET Make in India SME Summit
Resilience, entrepreneurial drive, and innovation stood out in good measure at the second ET Make in India SME Regional Summit of this year in Surat . The city's potential as a hub offering the next wave of opportunities in diamonds, textiles , and chemicals was highlighted in the discussions with a cross-section of industry stakeholders in the city. The ET Make in India SME Regional Summit is a series of 20 nationwide on-ground events to bring together micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ( MSMEs ), policymakers, enablers and key industry professionals. The summit series aims to unravel emerging opportunities, address critical challenges, and promote meaningful knowledge-sharing and networking to unlock growth for the MSME sector. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Project Management MBA Others Data Science CXO others Design Thinking Leadership Healthcare Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Management Finance Technology Data Analytics Digital Marketing Degree Public Policy Product Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details The event, held on July 18, began with an insightful keynote address by J.B. Dave, General Manager, District Industries Centre, who spoke on how MSMEs can be empowered. "We need to do more for MSMEs in Surat despite being the second-largest i n terms of MSME registrations in the country," he said while discussing the strategy for a vibrant and resilient Surat. "For becoming an export-centric market, we need to focus on quality," he emphasised. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Also Read: ET Make in India SME Regional Summit to debut in Nagpur, the 'Orange City', on July 24 This was followed by an interesting fireside chat with Nagaraj Garla , Executive Director, IDBI Bank , on the topic 'Catalysing Make in India Growth: IDBI Bank's Strategic Imperatives for Empowering MSMEs.' Live Events Garla spoke about several issues pertaining to the financial constraints of the sector. "Effective cash flow management remains the single most important factor distinguishing a successful MSME from a failed one," he said. ET Online Nagaraj Garla, Executive Director, IDBI Bank spoke about several issues pertaining to the financial constraints of the sector. He emphasised the various initiatives implemented by the bank to facilitate cash flow for MSMEs, underscoring the significant role technology has played in achieving this goal. "In March, we introduced an AI-ML-based credit system that decides if the money has to be disbursed or not in 15-20 minutes." Following that, Raj Tiwari, Senior Sales Manager, Canon India , delivered a presentation titled 'Making Business Simple with Canon.' Tiwari offered numerous insights on new technologies that showcase added layers of security in printing. This, he stated, could be of immense help to the entrepreneurs looking to create a differentiation for their businesses. Thereafter, local industry leaders and association heads got together to participate in an engaging session of the day—a panel discussion on how Surat's MSMEs can lead India's next wave of industrial innovation. Reflecting on the tariff developments, Ashish Gujarati, Managing Director, Aditya Textile Solutions, said that they are expecting 5-10% tariffs on the textile sector. "Most of the challenges come from QCOs and raw material availability," he stated. ET Online Local industry leaders and association heads got together to participate in an engaging session of the day—a panel discussion on how MSMEs in Surat can lead India's next wave of industrial innovation. Highlighting the advantages offered by Surat as a textile hub, Gujarati said that Surat's main advantage is that the entire textile ecosystem is within a radius of 45 km. Moving on to Surat's legacy as a diamond hub, Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman of GJEPC India, said that Surat has unique strengths with which it can mould itself as per the market situation. "Surat has this distinct advantage: if there are threats to its diamond polishing and cutting business, then it can capitalise on its lab-grown diamond segment," he said while talking about the emerging opportunity in this new segment. Answering a question regarding the prominence of gemstone manufacturing in China, Savaliya noted that the gemstone industry holds a lot of potential in India, especially in Surat. "We still have miles to go," he said, candid in his admission. The panel discussion then moved on to the importance of schemes for the MSME sector. Bikash Chandra Naik, Zonal Head, National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), said that they offer a number of schemes to handhold small businesses. "Micro and small businesses need a lot of handholding; they don't go to banks directly. Therefore, we have many collaborations with banks, and we help these businesses to get loans," he said. Naik also spoke about how people in rural areas lack the required skills, and NSIC helps in getting more skilled professionals into the industry. "NSIC has projects at various levels and also programmes that help them train in different skills," he added. Affirming his views, Prashant Patel, former President of FISME and Director of RK Synthesis Ltd, highlighted some big challenges faced by MSMEs in Surat. These challenges include land availability due to high land costs, a shortage of skilled manpower, the high cost of R&D equipment, and inadequate common infrastructure. Patel also spoke of the importance of R&D investment for enterprises to carve a niche for themselves in the long run. The panel was followed by a fireside chat with Nikhil Garg, Founder President of the Agarwal Business Network. Garg stated that Surat is known for adapting fast to changes. "The growth of the knitting industry here is remarkable. In India, if there is any other city that can challenge China, it's Surat," he said, adding that the power of communities can help to bring the MSME ecosystem together and go forward in their journey as small businesses. ET Online Nikhil Garg, Founder President of the Agarwal Business Network stated that Surat is known for adapting fast to changes. The final session of the evening was a presentation by C.S. Arya, General Manager, IDBI Bank, and Sherine Mendez, General Manager, IDBI Bank, highlighting the organisation's initiatives, outreach, and tools that empower MSMEs. This concluded the second summit in the ET SME summit series of this year in Surat, showcasing how MSMEs can leverage their strengths and counter the challenges in their path in an effective manner. The summit served as a key platform for bringing industry experts together and offering networking opportunities to a host of small businesses in the city. The event sponsors were IDBI Bank as Banking & Lending Partner and Canon as Tech Enabler. The series now heads to Nagpur on 24 July 2025 for another round of conversations, discussions and learning in the ET SME Make In India pan India series.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre's help also sought for Jalandhar's sports goods sector
Ludhiana: State industry minister Sanjeev Arora met Union MSME minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Monday and presented him a letter demanding urgent support for Punjab's sports goods sector. In a statement issued here, Arora said he apprised the Union minister about the sports goods sector, particularly centred in Jalandhar, stating that it holds immense export potential but faces critical infrastructural and policy challenges. Arora also sought his intervention to resolve certain pressing issues. Regarding the pending approval for the setting up of a Technology Extension Centre of PPDC Meerut in Jalandhar, he said the state govt has already provided built-up space for it. However, the MSME ministry's approval is being awaited for more than eight months now. Arora also pointed out that the industry lacks funds to adopt eco-friendly materials and packaging, and requested incentives and research grants. On the issue of policy inclusion, he said this sector is not being covered under 'Make in India' and PLI schemes, and requested its inclusion along with the creation of an SEZ in Jalandhar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He also urged for the setting up of testing infrastructure, stating that no international-standard testing labs (e.g., FIFA/FIBA/ICC) are available so far. He, therefore, called for a certified facility in Punjab. Arora said Manjhi has assured him of his full support.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The dragon's shadow still looms over Make in India
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A win on toys, but with caveats Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Smartphones: Assembled in India, made in China Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The wider web of dependence Silicon wafers: $151.6 million in imports; 96.8% from China Flat panel displays: $1.06 billion; 86% from China Computer monitors: $376.5 million; 66.8% from China Printed circuit boards (PCBs): $612.2 million; 37% from China Memory chips: $1.75 billion; 40.5% from China Microprocessors: $1.65 billion; 38.2% from China Laptops and tablets: $4.45 billion; 80.5% from China Solar cells: $1.36 billion; 82.7% from China Solar panels: $1.7 billion; 78.9% from China Lithium-ion batteries: $2.26 billion; 75.2% from China Erythromycin: $166.3 million; 97.7% from China Overall antibiotic imports: 88.1% from China Embroidery machinery: $351.7 million; 91.4% from China Aluminium foil (rolled): $261.2 million; 82.8% from China Aluminium plates: $265.4 million; 91.6% from China Safety glass: $547.1 million; 84.8% from China Battery chargers: $117.3 million; 68.2% from China Electric inverters: $200.5 million; 72.3% from China UPS/Inverter systems: $641.7 million; 49.9% from China Trade numbers tell the story So, can India decouple? The paradox of self-reliance India wants to be a global manufacturing powerhouse. The Make in India campaign and a raft of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are designed to drive that ambition, boosting local industry, cutting import dependence, and turning the country into an export here's the problem: while the talk is all about self-reliance, the supply chains still run largely through start with a rare success. India's crackdown on toy imports, especially from China, has been one of the few bright spots in its import substitution FY2019 and FY2024, toy imports fell nearly 80%, from $304 million to $64.9 million, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).Imports from China alone dropped from around $263 million to just over $41 million. India raised customs duties from 20% to 70%, mandated BIS certification, and responded to a 2019 QCI report on safety the 16th Toy Biz Expo, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called this a textbook example of how assertive policy, standards enforcement, and cluster development can shift an industry."India's toy industry, once heavily dependent on imports, is now manufacturing domestically and exporting to 153 countries,' he the win isn't complete. India's toy exports actually dipped in FY2024, to $152.3 million from $153.9 million the previous while fewer finished toys are coming from China, most components, LEDs, circuit boards, plastics, packaging, still are. Domestic polymers remain around 10% more expensive, undercutting local competitiveness, as per Polymerupdate in July are another area where India is surging. In FY2025, the country exported $24.1 billion worth, up 55% year-on-year. It's now the world's second-largest mobile phone producer, according to the Department of dig deeper, and the Chinese footprint is hard to ignore. India imported $259.7 million worth of finished smartphones, with 58.8% of them coming from China. More significantly, $7.15 billion worth of smartphone components were imported, 51.7% from China, as per top of that, smartphone parts alone accounted for $763.8 million in imports, with 55.4% of those from India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has warned that Chinese delays in shipments and technician visas could derail India's ambitious $32 billion export target for FY2026.'Export-linked manufacturing to the tune of $24 billion in FY25, projected to cross $32 billion in FY26, has now come under serious risk,' the ICEA said in a letter reviewed by The Economic Indian firms are still striking deals with Chinese Technologies holds majority stakes in Kunshan Q Tech Microelectronics (India) and Chongqing Yuhai these joint ventures are under scrutiny due to Press Note 3 rules (requiring approval for investments from countries sharing a land border), Dixon's majority control may help it navigate the bigger issue is that while Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi (via Foxconn and Wistron) now assemble in India, most core components, chipsets, displays, camera modules, batteries, are still out, and China's hold only tightens. In electronics and semiconductors, India's exposure runs deep:In consumer electronics:In renewable energy:In pharmaceuticals:In industrial and power equipment:In June 2025, Chinese battery giant CATL reportedly ordered all its engineers to withdraw from Foxconn's Chennai move disrupted timelines and stalled India's EV and electronics supply chain has also told Chinese-origin workers employed in Indian or Taiwanese firms to return, cutting off tech transfer and workforce founder Ajay Srivastava summed it up: "China's actions may be signalling to avoid any conditions in the FTA that discourage the use of Chinese-origin components in exports to the US. China's message is blunt: India's industrial growth remains dangerously exposed to Chinese inputs, and any attempt to 'de-risk' supply chains will carry short-term pain."India's trade deficit with China has hit a record high,$99.2 billion in FY2025. Imports were $113.4 billion; exports just $14.2 billion, according to trade data released by the Commerce gives India only an 11.2% share in bilateral trade, down sharply from 40% two decades just as India tries to expand in semiconductors, EVs, and solar, China is tightening its grip on gallium, germanium, and graphite, all essential for these industries. In July 2025, India's battery sector was hit by new Chinese restrictions on graphite exports."The pressure mounted further in June 2025, when Chinese battery giant CATL reportedly directed Foxconn to withdraw all Chinese engineers from its manufacturing unit near Chennai. The move disrupted timelines and coordination at a crucial time for India's electronics and EV supply chain buildout," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava anytime India's Union Cabinet has approved a PLI scheme worth ₹22,919 crore for the manufacturing of electronic components in April 2025 to localise electronic components, aiming to create 91,000 new Micron-backed $2.75 billion semiconductor fab in Gujarat also shows shifting from Chinese to Japanese or Korean suppliers can be up to 4x more expensive. And India still faces its own legacy hurdles: uneven infrastructure, skill shortages, and red the contradiction at the heart of it all: as India pushes harder to manufacture, it ends up importing more from China, not less. Assembly is happening in India, but the guts, the brains and the bones, still come from substitution has worked in a few areas like toys, but high-tech and capital goods remain dependent on Chinese supply chains. India is still a long way from ambition is real. But until India builds its own supply chain from the ground up, Make in India will remain a label, stitched on with Chinese thread.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Development of indigenous multi-stage Malaria vaccine 'AdFalciVax' is underway
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar (RMRCBB) and National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology-National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII), is currently developing a novel recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine candidate, named AdFalciVax. ADVERTISEMENT AdFalciVax is the first indigenous recombinant chimeric malaria vaccine specifically designed to target two critical stages of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the most lethal form of malaria. The vaccine aims to protect against human infection while also reducing vector-borne community transmission of the parasite. According to the release, the vaccine has demonstrated excellent efficacy in the preclinical stage of development. Preclinical data suggest that AdFalciVax may have advantages over existing single-stage vaccines, including broader protection by targeting two vulnerable parasite stages, lower risk of immune evasion, potential for better long-term immunity, and extended thermal stability with functionality maintained for over nine months at room is a recombinant multistage vaccine produced in Lactococcus lactis, designed to protect both individual humans and reduce the community transmission represents one of the most advanced malaria vaccine candidates globally, with a rational design targeting two key stages of the parasite. This vaccine consists of a stable and functional recombinant chimaera between antigenic components that promises dual protection. ADVERTISEMENT ICMR intends to license the technology for AdFalciVax to eligible organisations and manufacturers for further development, manufacture, and commercialisation under non-exclusive agreements. This approach aims to enable wider outreach and maximise public health benefits. All collaborations will adhere to ICMR's Intellectual Property Policy. ADVERTISEMENT As an indigenously developed vaccine candidate that fulfils the Make in India mandate, AdFalciVax holds the potential to contribute substantially to malaria eradication by preventing infection and minimising community information is provided for awareness purposes only. The vaccine candidate is in its early research and development phases and is not yet available for any clinical use or commercialisation. ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
