Latest news with #ToI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
First Mahindra, now Uber! Noida airport's got your ride covered
Noida International Airport (NIA) has tied up with Uber India to provide last-mile connectivity for air passengers, The Times of India reported. The move comes close on the heels of the airport's collaboration with Mahindra Mobility to launch its dedicated airport taxi service . As per the agreement, Uber will set up designated pick-up zones at the airport terminal, complete with wayfinding signage and on-ground staff to guide arriving passengers. 'Passengers will be guided from their arrival gates to these designated Uber zones, where driver-partners will have exclusive parking spaces to ensure reduced waiting times,' a senior airport official told ToI. Located around 60 km from Noida city and nearly 40 km from Pari Chowk, the upcoming airport in Jewar faces significant last-mile connectivity challenges. While inauguration is expected in the coming months, proposed mass transit solutions such as metro and rapid rail links are still in the planning or early development stages, ToI noted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo NIA CEO Christoph Schnellmann highlighted the importance of seamless connectivity. 'Our goal is to make every part of the passenger journey efficient and comfortable — door to door,' he said. Uber India's Arnab Kumar, director of business development for India and South Asia, said the collaboration was aimed at providing reliable and hassle-free transit from the airport. 'Our partnership reflects our commitment to ensuring smooth and comfortable last-mile connectivity, backed by dedicated on-ground support and an effortless booking experience via the Uber app,' he said. Live Events Beyond tie-ups with private mobility providers, ToI reported that NIA is working with local authorities to strengthen public transport links . An SPV comprising the Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway authorities is set to introduce a city bus service with routes connecting various points in Gautam Budh Nagar to the airport. In addition, Haryana Roadways will operate direct buses to major NCR cities including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal, Hisar, Panipat, and Chandigarh once commercial operations begin. NIA has also secured agreements with the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation to run AC buses to popular destinations such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Haldwani. UP Roadways will extend connectivity to 17 districts in western Uttar Pradesh, including Agra, Mathura, Meerut, and Aligarh. 'We are in the process of more collaborations with government agencies and stakeholders to improve both private vehicle access and public transportation options,' an official told ToI.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Street vendors to get credit cards, bigger loans
The PM SVANidhi scheme is being revamped to provide street vendors with higher subsidised loans and credit cards with a limit of Rs 30,000, facilitated by banks, ToI reported on May 30. The revamped scheme, which will soon be presented to the Cabinet for approval, aims to extend subsidised loans to street vendors from rural areas migrating to cities. This initiative builds upon the success of the original scheme launched in 2020, which provided respite from high-interest informal sector loans to over 68 lakh street vendors, ToI's report (by Dipak K Das) said. The revamped PM SVANidhi scheme is set to offer enhanced financial support to street vendors. Banks are coming on board to provide credit cards with a limit of Rs 30,000. These credit cards will be issued to street vendors who have successfully repaid the initial three tranches of subsidised loans, which were Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 50,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo The scheme's expansion includes extending subsidised loans to street vendors from rural areas who move to cities for their livelihood. Sources indicate that an additional Rs 10,000 will be included as part of the enhanced loan amount. The credit card facility is designed to provide street vendors with better credit ratings access to more rolling capital for their businesses. The repayment norms for these credit cards will be determined by the banks. In her Budget speech, FM Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the impact of the original scheme. Live Events "Building on this success, the scheme will be revamped with enhanced loans from banks, UPI-linked credit cards with Rs 30,000 limit and capacity building support," she added. The original PM SVANidhi scheme was launched in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. It aimed to provide financial relief to street vendors who were often reliant on high-interest informal sector loans. The scheme has already benefited more than 68 lakh street vendors. The revamped scheme seeks to build upon this foundation by offering increased loan amounts and access to formal credit through UPI-linked credit cards. This initiative is expected to provide street vendors with greater financial stability and opportunities for business growth. The involvement of banks in the scheme is crucial for ensuring its effective implementation and outreach. The provision of credit cards will enable street vendors to manage their working capital more efficiently. The credit card facility will allow street vendors with a better credit rating to have access to more rolling capital for business, with the repayment norms being decided by banks. This access to formal credit can help them reduce their dependence on informal sources of financing, which often come with exorbitant interest rates. The inclusion of rural street vendors in the revamped scheme is a significant step towards ensuring that the benefits of the program reach a wider population. Street vendors who migrate from rural areas to cities often face unique challenges in accessing financial services. By extending the scheme to this group, the government aims to provide them with the support they need to establish and grow their businesses in urban areas.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
RBI has a plan to keep India's foreign exchange reserves safe from external shocks
The Reserve Bank of India is bolstering its defences against geopolitical risks by diversifying its foreign exchange reserves across currencies and asset classes. This strategic move aims to shield the Indian economy from external shocks, particularly concerning the potential weaponisation of reserves. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Reserve Bank of India RBI ) is fortifying its foreign exchange reserves against geopolitical risks by diversifying its assets across currencies, asset classes, and jurisdictions, even as its balance sheet grew by 8.2 per cent to Rs 76 lakh crore in move comes as the central bank addresses concerns over the "weaponisation of reserves", ToI reported on May 30 based on the central bank's annual report released a day earlier. The RBI is aiming to insulate the Indian economy from external shocks, while also focusing on domestic data protection through the development of its own cloud services and promoting the international use of the RBI projects the Indian economy to grow at 6.5 per cent in 2025-26 with an inflation target of 4 per is actively working to build "immunity" into its foreign exchange reserves, which constitute over 74 per cent of its assets. The central bank is concerned about the increasing use of financial sanctions to freeze or restrict a country's foreign-held assets during geopolitical conflicts, a phenomenon it terms the "weaponisation of reserves".The increasing frequency of such measures has prompted central banks, including India's, to reassess the structure, diversification, and safeguarding of their external mitigate these risks, the RBI is prioritising diversification, which it considers the "most critical" approach to ensuring safety, liquidity, and return. This strategy involves spreading investments across various asset classes, currencies, and a significant portion of India's foreign exchange reserves is held in dollar assets, particularly US to RBI, diversification remains the most important way to manage risks linked to global conflict and financial market the past year, India's forex reserves grew by 3.4 per cent to $668 billion, following an 11.7 per cent rise the year annual report for FY25 highlights ongoing efforts to insulate the economy from the vagaries of external central bank expects the Indian economy to grow by 6.5 per cent in 2025-26, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy. Inflation is projected at 4 per RBI flagged uncertainty arising from changes in global trade and tariff policies, it said India's trade deficit remains safeguard domestic financial data, which has been targeted by cyberattacks, the RBI plans to launch its own cloud services in 2025-26 through phase I of the Indian Financial Services (IFS) Cloud.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Industry smells a jackpot as India's truck fleet hits 10-yr high
India's ageing fleet of medium and heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCVs) is expected to trigger a significant rise in replacement demand, as truck makers and analysts see fleet operators shifting towards newer, more efficient models with better technology and faster turnaround times. According to data from manufacturers and ratings agency ICRA , the average age of M&HCV trucks on Indian roads has touched a record high of 10 years. This is the highest it has been in two decades. The sharp increase in fleet age is a result of deferred truck purchases during the Covid-19 pandemic and weak sales in recent years. 'The elevated level of vehicle ageing was fuelled by deferment of new vehicle purchases by fleet owners during the pandemic period, and also with the domestic M&HCV (trucks) volumes staying flattish YoY in FY2024 and registering a 4% YoY decline in FY2025,' ToI cited Kinjal Shah, senior vice-president at ICRA. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Small Electric Car for Seniors in Iraq: Prices That Will Surprise You Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo 'With this, the average M&HCV vehicle age presently remains the highest in the past two decades, which along with the mandatory scrapping of govt vehicles older than 15 years from April 1, 2023, augurs well for replacement demand in the medium term,' she added. Manufacturers have already begun to prepare for what they expect to be a surge in demand. Shenu Agarwal, managing director and CEO of Ashok Leyland , said, 'The outlook for the truck industry in FY26 takes into account the all-time high ageing of the truck fleet which means fleet replacement will definitely happen.' He added that the expected increase in demand will be led by the M&HCV segment, 'because the fleet is higher vintage there.' Live Events Industry data suggests that between FY2010 and now, around 37 lakh trucks have been sold across BS0 to BS6 emission levels. In just the last four years, about 10 lakh BS6 trucks have entered the market, while another 8.5 lakh units of BS4 vehicles continue to operate. That means for nearly 50% of the trucks sold in the last 15 years, the average age is over 11 years — a clear indicator that a large chunk of India's commercial fleet is nearing the end of its useful life and ripe for replacement. Vinod Aggarwal, managing director and CEO of Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles , said, 'Replacement demand will be very strong particularly since with improved road infrastructure, the new trucks are running around 15,000 km to 20,000 km per month compared to around 8,000 km to 10,000 km that older trucks manage.' He also pointed out that newer trucks, equipped with telematics, are designed for more intensive use and faster turnaround times, which further increases their appeal. At present, replacement sales account for 60% of all medium and heavy truck purchases. While total sales in the segment have not yet rebounded to their peak of 2,95,000 units recorded in FY2019 — with FY2025 sales at 2,48,000 units — there are signs of improvement. 'The M&HCV segment is migrating towards higher tonnage and payload wise FY25 truck sales is 10% higher,' said Aggarwal. (with ToI inputs)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Emraan Hashmi tests positive for dengue during 'OG' shoot; experts list symptoms amid early monsoon surge
With the onset of early monsoon showers in Mumbai, there has been a spike in waterborne diseases in the city. Amid the surge, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi tested positive for dengue on Wednesday. The actor who was last seen in the film 'Ground Zero' is currently shooting for his next movie with Pawan Kalyan and his Telugu debut 'OG'. This is when the shooting came to a halt after the actor started feeling unwell on the set and was diagnosed with dengue, as per the ToI report. According to Gulte, the actor was shooting in Aarey Colony, Goregaon, when he started experiencing dengue-like symptoms. Following this, on the recommendation of doctors, he got his tests done and discovered that he is suffering from dengue. Maharashtra sees a spike in dengue and malaria cases According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), Maharashtra recorded 2,726 malaria cases up to April 21 in 2025, which is marginally lower than the 2,867 cases reported back in the corresponding year of 2024. While Mumbai experiences dengue outbreaks every year, however, the intensity varies. But can the early monsoon in the city lead to the spread of dengue cases? Let's find out. Why are June and July the peak months for the rise in dengue cases? Dengue cases are rising during the monsoon and post-monsoon season as stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. 'Currently, not only malaria but even dengue cases are surging in people of all age groups. These mosquitoes bite during early morning and late afternoon hours, making daily protection essential. Hence, people should be extra cautious,' warns Dr. Kushal Bangar, Consultant Physician and Intensivist, AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, Maharashtra. According to the Mayo Clinic, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms. Symptoms of dengue you should watch out for: According to Dr. Bangar, 'Adequate hydration and supportive care can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. In severe cases, hospitalisation and close monitoring may be necessary for the patient.' The symptoms of dengue include: High fever Severe headache Pain behind the eyes Joint and muscle pain Fatigue, skin rashes, and nausea. 'In some cases, it can progress to life-threatening complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome, leading to bleeding, low platelet count, and organ damage,' adds Dr. Bangar. Low immunity and genetic conditions: Who is at risk of dengue? Early diagnosis of dengue is extremely crucial. 'Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to dengue infection. Additional risk factors are staying in highly concentrated mosquito areas, unsanitary conditions, and ineffective mosquito control,' cautions Dr. Anantha Padmanabha, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru. According to Dr. Padmanabha, 'Previous dengue patients are also prone to developing severe dengue in case of infection with another serotype. Moreover, some genetic conditions, malnutrition, and pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary diseases may enhance the risk of developing severe dengue.' Such individuals must be cautious and prevent mosquito bites and immediately seek medical help in case of symptoms. Preventive measures to follow amid a rise in dengue cases In view of rising dengue cases during monsoon, it is imperative to take charge of health. Dr. Padmanabha suggests staying vigilant and following these crucial measures. Remember, prevention is better than a cure. Use mosquito repellents: To prevent dengue, it is necessary to use mosquito repellents. Wear full-sleeved clothes: Make sure you wear full-sleeved clothes whenever stepping outside. Use sleep under nets: Sleeping under nets is crucial to prevent waterborne diseases, especially if you are prone to dengue or malaria. Eliminate stagnation: Remove stagnant water in and around your home. So, remember to take these precautions to prevent dengue and improve the quality of life. Seek immediate medical attention: Timely management of dengue can help the patient bounce back and resume the daily routine without any difficulty. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
