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The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), which runs premium tourist and heritage trains through the hill region, recorded significant growth in earnings and passenger footfall in the 2025-26 financial year compared to the previous fiscal, an official said on Thursday. The toy train, which has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, earned Rs 24.6 crore in 2025-26, up from Rs 21.2 crore in 2024-25, the official said. Passenger footfall also rose, increasing from 1.74 lakh in 2024-25 to 2.08 lakh in 2025-26. "By prioritising premium tourism experiences, the DHR has successfully positioned the region as a premier travel destination," he said. Launched in 1879, the mountain railway now operates both steam and diesel locos for joyrides between Darjeeling and Ghum, situated at 7,407 feet, the highest point through which DHR passes. It also runs tourist specials in the Darjeeling-Mahanadi and Darjeeling-Kurseong routes and Jungle Safari between Siliguri and Tindharia stations. T
Apogee Aerospace has placed an order for 15 amphibian aircraft with Australia's Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) for a total value of Rs 3,500 crore as part of a strategic collaboration. Besides, the Indian company will invest Rs 500 crore to establish tail-section manufacturing, maintenance and overhaul facilities, training and simulation infrastructure, and advanced systems integration capabilities in India. This will be for the amphibian planes of AAI, which also plans to set up a manufacturing facility for these planes in India. The announcements made on Thursday in the national capital also come at a time when the government is making efforts to boost air connectivity as well as encourage self-reliance in the fast-growing aviation and aerospace ecosystem. Amphibian aircraft can operate on both water and land. They are also known as seaplanes. The two companies are also looking to tap the opportunities in the country's blue economy. On Thursday, AAI and Apogee Aerospace .
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will launch 'Bharat Taxi', India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, on Thursday after a successful two-month pilot operation, an official statement said. The service aims to expand across all states and cities within two years. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and established on June 6, 2025, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model with direct profit distribution to drivers. This positions it as an indigenous alternative to foreign investment-based platforms. Backed by eight top cooperative organisations, the platform began pilot operations on December 2 in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, challenging established players like Ola, Uber and Rapido. The ministry claims it has emerged as the world's first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and the world's largest driver-owned mobility platform. Since its launch, over 3 lakh drivers have joined the platform, more tha
Over 28 lakh households have benefited under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana as of January 2026, with disbursement of Rs 16,061.12 crore as central financial assistance, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. The government is also strengthening global partnerships to advance renewable energy, storage and grid integration, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Naik informed the House that since the launch of the scheme in February 2024, total 22,65,521 roof top solar (RTS) systems have been installed across the country, benefitting 28,24,518 households with disbursement of Rs 16,061.12 crore as central financial assistance till January 30, 2026. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, it has been estimated that RTS installation in 1 crore households may produce renewable electricity of 1,000 billion units, which may result in reduction of 720 million tonne of CO2 equivalent emission during the 25 years of lifeti
The India-US trade deal adds meaningful momentum to India's growth ambitions and supports the country's ambition to be a globally competitive manufacturing and innovation hub, industry leaders said on Tuesday. Reacting to the trade agreement between the two countries, Mahindra Group CEO & Managing Director Anish Shah welcomed the development, terming it as "a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties." "With the Indian economy on a strong growth trajectory, this deal adds meaningful momentum to India's growth ambitions," he noted. Shah further said, "The immediate reduction in reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent, along with the commitment to progressively lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, will boost growth momentum and improve the predictability businesses need to invest with confidence." Expressing similar views, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said the reduced tariffs will help strengthen the strategic and .