Deepak Patel, Business Standard

Stories by Deepak Patel, Business Standard

Hero to roll out flex-fuel versions of motorcycles, but concerns remain

Hero to roll out flex-fuel versions of motorcycles, but concerns remain

Rediff.com   21 hours ago

Flex fuel motorcycles can deliver "3 per cent higher torque and 7 per cent higher peak power".

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Rediff.com   22 hours ago

The support will be provided to oil-marketing companies (OMCs) in the form of interest-free advances through the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. The OMCs, in turn, will use the fund to provide ATF price stabilisation support to Indian carriers operating domestic and international flights.

June Is A Cruel Month For Airlines, Airports

June Is A Cruel Month For Airlines, Airports

Rediff.com   2 days ago

Airlines are cutting not only international services but also domestic flights, especially on routes projected to remain unprofitable in the coming weeks due to weak demand and high fares.

West Asia crisis fuels EV boom, Tatas ramp up output by 50%

West Asia crisis fuels EV boom, Tatas ramp up output by 50%

Rediff.com   6 days ago

"There is a sharp jump that we have seen in bookings of EVs... The jump, at least in our case, in just two months, it is about 2 to 2.5 times of what it used to be"

Maruti Suzuki Hikes Car Prices From June

Maruti Suzuki Hikes Car Prices From June

Rediff.com   22 May 2026

'With inflationary pressures now at elevated levels and the adverse cost environment persisting, the company has to pass on a portion of the increased costs to the market, while continuing to ensure that the impact on customers is kept to the minimum extent possible.'

Auto Sales Surge In Punjab, Gujarat

Auto Sales Surge In Punjab, Gujarat

Rediff.com   21 May 2026

About 181,750 units were sold in FY26 in Punjab, marking a 16.29 per cent year-on-year increase.

Govt Defends Soft Approach To Fuel Crisis

Govt Defends Soft Approach To Fuel Crisis

Rediff.com   16 May 2026

'PM Modi is trying to reduce the volume of fuel consumed instead of raising prices sharply.'

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Air India defers increments, asks staff to cut costs

Rediff.com   9 May 2026

Air India has deferred annual salary increments for its staff by at least one quarter and urged a "relentless focus on costs" due to external headwinds like the closure of Pakistan airspace, West Asia conflict, rupee depreciation, and a significant surge in aviation turbine fuel prices, though the airline has assured there will be no layoffs.

Mercedes says demand stays strong despite supply disruptions

Mercedes says demand stays strong despite supply disruptions

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2026

Despite the ongoing West Asia conflict causing global trade route disruptions, Mercedes-Benz India reports resilient customer demand, particularly for its new electric CLA sedan, though it faces challenges with component supply delays and escalating shipping costs.

Air India plans to complete B787-8 retrofit by Q1 2028

Air India plans to complete B787-8 retrofit by Q1 2028

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2026

Air India is undertaking a $400 million programme to modernise its legacy fleet, with plans to complete the retrofit of its entire Boeing 787-8 fleet by the first quarter of 2028 and its Boeing 777 fleet by 2029.

2 Years On, Automakers Still Waiting For Govt to Clear FAME-II Dues

2 Years On, Automakers Still Waiting For Govt to Clear FAME-II Dues

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2026

Under FAME-II, automakers provided subsidies to electric vehicle (EV) customers at the time of purchase, with the understanding that the government would reimburse the firms later.

Chandrasekaran addresses Air India staff, stresses transformation & safety

Chandrasekaran addresses Air India staff, stresses transformation & safety

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2026

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran addressed Air India employees, acknowledging the airline's challenging phase while reaffirming the Tata Group's commitment to its long-term transformation, focusing on service quality, safety, and operational improvements.

Govt Cuts Airport Charges By 25%

Govt Cuts Airport Charges By 25%

Rediff.com   9 Apr 2026

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the reduction in airport charges is aimed at containing airfare increases and supporting both airlines and passengers.

Costs could rise...: Skoda India director on shipping disruptions

Costs could rise...: Skoda India director on shipping disruptions

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2026

'So far our production is not affected. But every day the situation prolongs, it does bring risks in terms of shipments getting delayed.'

Government Puts Airline Seat Rule on Hold After Industry Pushback

Government Puts Airline Seat Rule on Hold After Industry Pushback

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2026

The government has suspended its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats on flights without additional charges, following industry concerns about the impact on fares and pricing structures.

Jio IPO Set To Break All Records

Jio IPO Set To Break All Records

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2026

Only 2.5 per cent of the equity in Jio Platforms will be offloaded through the OFS route -- meant for secondary share sale.

Suzuki Motorcycle India tempers FY27 growth forecast due to West Asia conflict, rising costs

Suzuki Motorcycle India tempers FY27 growth forecast due to West Asia conflict, rising costs

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2026

Suzuki Motorcycle India Ltd (SMIPL) has revised its domestic two-wheeler sales growth estimate for FY27 downwards from 7-8 per cent, citing rising commodity costs due to the ongoing West Asia conflict and its impact on consumer affordability.

LPG Crisis Triggers Reverse Migration Across Cities

LPG Crisis Triggers Reverse Migration Across Cities

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2026

'It would be similar to what happened during COVID-19.' 'They are not just losing income, but being pushed into distress.'

DGCA Gets New Chief After Turbulent Year

DGCA Gets New Chief After Turbulent Year

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2026

Events from mid-2025 to early 2026 exposed deeper systemic concerns for India's aviation safety architecture.

Pilots Told To Refuse Unsafe Flights: No VVIP Pressure: DGCA Cracks Down

Pilots Told To Refuse Unsafe Flights: No VVIP Pressure: DGCA Cracks Down

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2026

Pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers are responsible for planning and conducting flights, and these decisions must rely on technical judgment rather than external influence.