Nitin Kumar &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

Stories by Nitin Kumar &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

EV sales in India up 27% in 2024 miss 2 million mark by a whisker

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2024

India's electric vehicle (EV) industry hit a new milestone in 2024, with sales surging 26.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.94 million units as of December 29, according to Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Why clean air remains a pipe dream across India

Why clean air remains a pipe dream across India

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2024

Data from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change reveals that 30 cities recorded an increase in PM10 levels compared to 2017-18 (FY18), indicating deteriorating air quality.

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Electric vehicle sales down 12% in November after festival-driven rush

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2024

In the e2W category, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of total EV sales, volumes fell 15 per cent to 118,944 units in November, compared to 139,787 units in the previous month

Terror Attacks No Cause Of Alarm For J&K Projects

Terror Attacks No Cause Of Alarm For J&K Projects

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2024

'If you are in a position to give employment to local people, you will find no terror attacks in your area.'

India saw steepest surge in greenhouse emission in 2023, says report

India saw steepest surge in greenhouse emission in 2023, says report

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2024

Among major economies, India in FY23 recorded the steepest increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, climbing 6.1 per cent, with China trailing close behind at 5.2 per cent, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report 2024. In contrast, GHG emission decreased in both the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) by 7.5 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively. Despite India's rise, its 2023 GHG emission remains relatively low at 4,140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCOe) against China's 16,000 and the US's 5,970.

Tracking air: As Delhi AQI worsens, experts call for long-term solutions

Tracking air: As Delhi AQI worsens, experts call for long-term solutions

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2024

Air quality index (AQI) soared past 350 level in parts of Delhi on Thursday and experts cautioned that as weather turns colder it may breach the 400-mark ceiling and enter the 'severe' zone soon, notwithstanding the incidents of stubble burnings which have nosedived from 17,529 in 2020 to 4,262 this year.

J&K's 5.9 mn tonne lithium reserve to be re-explored after failed auction

J&K's 5.9 mn tonne lithium reserve to be re-explored after failed auction

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2024

The Ministry of Mines has directed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to conduct a re-exploration of the 5.9 million tonnes of lithium block in Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K's) Reasi district after repeated setbacks to put the reserve up for auction again in six months.

Festival season, discounts boost Ola Electric sales

Festival season, discounts boost Ola Electric sales

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2024

Under regulatory scanner, Bengaluru-based Ola Electric has witnessed an uptick in its sales after facing a decline during the last few months. The company's daily average sales rose to 1,154 units in October, according to Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). With sales reaching 17,315 units between October 1 and October 15, the company has also boosted its market share to 34 per cent, up from 27 per cent in September, in the electric two-wheeler (e2W) segment.

Will South Haryana Reward Rao Inderjit Singh?

Will South Haryana Reward Rao Inderjit Singh?

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2024

South Haryana hasn't delivered a chief minister since 1967, when his father Rao Birender Singh was ousted from power. It's a legacy Rao Inderjit Singh is determined to reclaim.

Maiden critical minerals auction: A modest showing

Maiden critical minerals auction: A modest showing

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2024

In June last year, India unveiled its first list of 29 critical minerals open for private sector exploration and mining. Since then, 38 critical mineral blocks have been auctioned, but only 14 - less than 37 per cent - have found bidders. This modest achievement was secured only after the Centre conducted a second round of auctions when the first round fell flat, failing to attract the minimum required bidders.

In export push, govt steps in to raise container capacity

In export push, govt steps in to raise container capacity

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2024

Concerned over the fallout of the Red Sea crisis and severe shortage of containers against the backdrop of a steep decline in merchandise exports in August, the Union government is pulling out all the stops to find a solution. To begin with, the government has devised a strategy aimed at boosting container supply and supporting exporters.

India Working on 30,000 cr Maritime Development Fund

India Working on 30,000 cr Maritime Development Fund

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2024

The fund will promote domestic shipbuilding of all types and sizes to reduce India's dependence on foreign ships.

New Toll Data Collection Tool A Privacy Risk?

New Toll Data Collection Tool A Privacy Risk?

Rediff.com   17 Sep 2024

The implementation of this toll collection system, which will eventually eradicate toll booths, necessitates the fitting of an on-board unit (OBU) in every vehicle that can track a vehicle's location in real time.

I am not against incentives on EVs, but its not my call: Nitin Gadkari

I am not against incentives on EVs, but its not my call: Nitin Gadkari

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2024

Days after saying that there is no need for subsidies to achieve greater penetration of electric vehicles (EVs), Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday clarified that the view is his own, but any official call on EV subsidies is not one that he can take.

Offshore mineral rules complicate selection but ease awarding

Offshore mineral rules complicate selection but ease awarding

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2024

In a bid to capitalise on its underwater resources, the Indian government has introduced new rules for auctioning offshore mineral assets, aiming to ensure a transparent and competitive process. While these rules feature stringent eligibility criteria, they also simplify the awarding process. This move comes in the wake of the less-than-expected interest in critical mineral auctions.

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2024

The central government's Great Nicobar development project, proposed around an unprecedented transhipment port, will be executed to keep environmental impact minimal, and is essential as it is of national importance, the government has said amid calls to abort the controversial project due to ecological concerns, the Centre said in an official statement.

Ola Electric's e-bike pricing sparks debate across EV industry

Ola Electric's e-bike pricing sparks debate across EV industry

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2024

The launch of a range of electric motorbikes (e-bikes) by Bengaluru-based Ola Electric, a first for the company, has disconcerted the industry because the low price the firm claims to be offering has the potential to disrupt the market. On August 15, Ola unveiled its Roadster series e-bike with a starting-price at Rs 74,999. This new pricing undercuts the previous lowest price in the category, which was Rs 110,000.

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2024

The BSA Gold Star is launched....Ola Enters e-motorbikes Biz... Bajaj, TVS To Enter e2Ws Market...

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Why EV sales set roads on fire in July

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2024

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in July touched 178,948 units, marking the highest monthly sales this financial year. This represents a 27.9 per cent increase from June, which saw 139,905 units sold, according to the Vahan data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The strong performance in July contributed to more than one million being sold in the first seven months of the calendar year.

Tiger Deaths Decline By 29 Percent

Tiger Deaths Decline By 29 Percent

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2024

2023 was the worst for the tiger population, recording the highest number of mortalities in a decade with 178 tigers dying.