New Delhi, Oct 7: The outlook for onion availability has strengthened considerably with robust market arrivals and the commencement of fresh Kharif supplies, with the improving supply position already translating into a broad-based moderation in prices of the staple vegetable across mandis and major consumer markets, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said on Wednesday.

The weighted average mandi price in Maharashtra has declined by nearly 13 per cent, from around Rs 4,030 per quintal on September 16 to about Rs 3,475 per quintal on October 3. The sustained moderation in mandi prices indicates that the increase in market arrivals is translating into improved supply conditions, a ministry statement said.

The easing trend is also visible across retail markets. As many as 126 cities have reported a decline of Rs 1–21 per kg in retail onion prices over the past two weeks, with moderation observed in major consuming states, it said.

Fresh Kharif onion arrivals have commenced from major producing states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, while availability from stored stocks continues to meet market demands. Arrivals from these producing regions are expected to increase further in the coming weeks, improving overall availability in the consuming markets during the upcoming festive season, the statement said.

The production outlook for the Kharif crop is encouraging. All-India Kharif onion acreage is estimated to be around 5 per cent higher than last year’s already strong level, with crop conditions remaining favourable across major producing regions. The rainfall outlook by IMD during the harvesting period also provides support to the crop, with no forecast of excessive rains in key Kharif onion regions in the coming weeks to facilitate harvesting, drying, and movement of onions and reduce the risk of moisture-related crop damage.

The government is also augmenting supplies to consuming centres through buffer stock release. As on date, the government has disposed off more than 2.0 lakh Quintals through 8 Kanda Express and 467 trucks across 123 cities and is planning to deploy additional rail rakes, enabling larger quantities of onions to reach high-consumption markets. These efforts are being further strengthened ahead of the festive season, with additional rail movements being planned to improve the speed and efficiency of supply distribution, the statement said.

The combination of fresh Kharif arrivals, availability from stored stocks and continued movement of buffer onions to consumption centres provides multiple channels of supply to the market. The government is maintaining close oversight of arrivals, stocks and price movements and is taking appropriate measures to facilitate orderly distribution and adequate availability wherever required, the statement added.

New Delhi, Oct 7: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met senior executives of leading US companies in New York to discuss opportunities to expand investment and strengthen trade ties between the two countries, according to an official statement on Wednesday.

Goyal held meetings with senior executives from Blackstone, Neuberger Berman, Estée Lauder Companies, IBM, MetLife, General Atlantic and AIA Group, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

In his meetings with Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Gray and Prakash Melwani, chairman of the company’s international private equity business, the minister discussed expanding the firm’s investments and partnerships in India across key sectors.

Goyal also met Neuberger Berman Chairman and CEO George Walker and members of the firm’s leadership team to discuss opportunities to deepen investment ties and engagement in financial and wealth management services.

With Estée Lauder Companies President and CEO Stéphane de Faverie, he discussed growth opportunities in India, including increased manufacturing and sourcing, as well as the country’s growing beauty and personal care market.

He also met IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna to discuss strengthening the company’s engagement in India and expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, quantum computing and other emerging technologies.

His meeting with MetLife President and CEO Michel A. Khalaf focused on the company’s growth opportunities in India and the expansion of the insurance and financial services sector, according to the ministry.

Apart from that, Goyal also met General Atlantic Chairman and CEO William E. Ford to discuss opportunities to deepen the investment firm’s business engagement with India.

With AIA Group Non-Executive Chairman Mark Tucker, Goyal discussed the company’s engagement in India and opportunities in the insurance and financial services sectors, including India’s goal of achieving “Insurance for All by 2047”, the ministry said.

The meetings covered investment opportunities across financial services, manufacturing, energy, technology and artificial intelligence, and ways to strengthen economic and commercial ties between India and the United States, the ministry said.

Navi Mumbai, Oct 6: Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is strengthening the passenger experience with expanded mobility, transit hospitality and airline support as more flights prepare to shift from capacity-constrained Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai.

The focus of NMIA, one of India’s largest greenfield airports and operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), on customer comfort also extends to a futuristic digital art programme and experience zone designed to create a more soothing and engaging environment for passengers.

The measures come ahead of the winter flying schedule, which runs from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation will start electric e-Shivai services from October 7 to Dadar, Borivali and Pune, with fares of Rs 170, Rs 210 and Rs 450, respectively. Children below 12 years of age and women travelling with a National Common Mobility Card will be eligible for half-fare.

‘Chalo’ operates 21 daily services to Marol, Bandra, Dadar and Colaba, while Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport runs seven dedicated airport routes.

Bharat Taxi will begin operations with up to 40 vehicles from October 10. Cityflo, Aarya and Chalo will also operate a complimentary hourly shuttle between NMIA and CSMIA.

The airport’s passenger transport network includes 3,787 app-based taxis, 184 car rentals, 171 autorickshaws and 547 buses.

NMIA is also connected to Panvel, Targhar and Bamandongri suburban railway stations, as well as major road corridors including Atal Setu and the Sion-Panvel Highway.

Inside Terminal 1, AAHL will open an 80-room Swirl Transit Hotel in mid-October, offering four-hour and overnight stays, showers, workstations, Wi-Fi and 24-hour dining.

A 21-room Swirl property is also planned at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati.

TajSATS’ flight kitchen at NMIA serves more than 40 departing flights a day, with capacity for 7,500 meals daily and expansion to 15,000 as demand rises.

It serves domestic and international carriers, provides local meal uplift for international airlines, and adds to the culinary offering for passengers. TajSATS, which has more than four decades of aviation catering experience, also operates the flight kitchen at CSMIA.