Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed the transport department to build a state-of-the-art digital platform to provide real-time information on aggregator companies’ vehicles, drivers, and working hours, aiming to make app-based passenger transport services in the state safer, more transparent, and well-organised.

He instructed that this platform should integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based analytics to maintain effective control over vehicle operations, driver dispatch, parking management, and passenger services.

CM Fadnavis gave these instructions during a meeting concerning the Maharashtra Aggregator Rules-2026. The review covered the growing number of vehicles in the aggregator sector, the challenges faced by independent taxi drivers, passenger safety, and transparency in ride allocation on digital platforms. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) Sanjay Sethi, Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, and other transport department officials were present.

The Chief Minister directed that complete digital details must be available for every vehicle operated by aggregator companies. This includes registration, assigned parking locations, driver profile, driving license, police verification, and other required documents.

Additionally, the system must maintain real-time logs indicating which driver is operating which vehicle across various shifts throughout the day. In the event of an incident, a robust mechanism should ensure that details regarding the vehicle and driver are immediately accessible.

By leveraging artificial intelligence on this platform, the system will analyse vehicle operations, driver shifts, and other critical parameters. This will allow regulatory authorities to monitor compliance with rules and enable prompt action whenever necessary, he said.

CM Fadnavis highlighted the need to verify whether independent taxi drivers and large fleet management companies receive equal opportunities when rides are allocated on app-based transport platforms.

He noted that it is essential to audit the criteria and reasons based on which specific vehicles are assigned rides on digital platforms. He directed officials to utilise technology to detect any bias or unfair discrimination in ride allocation algorithms.

The Chief Minister stressed that while passengers must receive safe and reliable service, local drivers must also get equal employment opportunities.

To achieve this, priority must be given to effective enforcement of rules, transparent ride allocation, and technical oversight of aggregator operations.

In light of the expansion of the state’s aggregator sector and growing passenger needs, he directed the Transport Department to develop an efficient, technology-driven regulatory framework that balances the interests of independent taxi drivers, passenger safety, and overall traffic discipline.

The Indian equity markets opened with mild gains early on Thursday despite mixed global cues and elevated crude prices.

As of 9.25 am, Sensex added 168 points, or 0.23 per cent, to reach 73,414 and Nifty gained 45 points, or 0.20 per cent, to reach 22,744.

Main broad-cap indices performed in line with the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.25 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 0.13 per cent.

Sectoral indices on NSE traded mixed with gains led by Nifty IT, up 0.80 per cent and pharma, up 0.30 per cent. Nifty private bank and media were among top losers, down 0.18 per cent and 0.16 per cent, respectively.

The opening gain of benchmarks may remain selective unless the Nifty decisively crosses 22,800, as the Federal Reserve’s policy message, elevated crude and high US bond yields continue to restrict broader risk-taking, an analyst said.

Brent crude remains elevated near $114.50 a barrel amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty, keeping energy costs high and leaving oil-sensitive sectors exposed to sustained cost pressures.

The Federal Reserve kept its policy rate unchanged, but two members voted for an increase, and markets raised expectations of another hike in December. The US 10-year Treasury yield consequently moved to around 5.02 per cent, indicating that the policy pause has not materially loosened global financial conditions.

Unless yields stabilise below recent levels, dollar assets may continue competing with emerging markets for capital and limit the durability of foreign inflows into India, market participants said.

In the previous session, Nifty closed at 22,698, down 0.22 per cent, after a recovery was capped by profit booking. Immediate support is placed at 22,600–22,650, while resistance is seen at 22,850–22,900.

In the previous session, Bank Nifty closed at 54,267, up 0.54 per cent. Immediate support is placed at 53,800–54,000, while resistance is seen at 54,600–54,800.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index declined 0.82 per cent, and Shenzhen dipped 2.48 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 0.28 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.06 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi lost 2.72 per cent.

The US markets ended in green overnight as Nasdaq added 0.27 per cent, S&P 500 gained 0.28 per cent, and the Dow Jones inched up 0.19 per cent.

On October 28, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net bought equities worth Rs 872 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 643 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRESE) 2026 on 2nd November, which will bring together participants from over 130 countries, including global leaders, investors, industry and innovators, at Bharat Mandapam here.

Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom will participate as country partners.

Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Santosh Sarangi, on Wednesday said, “India’s clean energy transition is entering a decisive phase. With 308 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity, we are firmly on course to reach our 500 GW target by 2030. Realising this ambition will require approximately USD 220 billion in investment between 2027 and 2030, alongside accelerated deployment of energy storage, stronger transmission networks and expanded domestic manufacturing capabilities.”

He told journalists that the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 will provide a vital platform to connect global capital, technology and industry expertise with India’s growing clean energy opportunities, translating investment potential into projects, partnerships and progress.

The four-day event, themed ‘Invest. Innovate. Inspire’, will be organised alongside the 9th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH).

The three events will provide a common platform for discussions on renewable energy investment, international cooperation, emerging technologies and clean energy deployment.

Delegations from several countries are also expected to attend the Summit to explore cooperation opportunities in renewable energy financing, green hydrogen, energy storage, clean energy manufacturing, and technology development.

Thirteen States and Union Territories will participate in the Summit, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, showcasing their renewable energy potential, investment opportunities and manufacturing capabilities. Other participating states will also highlight opportunities for renewable energy development and investment.

India ranks third globally in renewable energy and solar installed capacity and fourth in wind power capacity, as it advances towards its target of 500 GW by 2030. India invested USD 63.7 billion in its renewable energy sector during July 2024–June 2026, as per BloombergNEF.

Building on this momentum, the Summit will bring together global policymakers, investors, industry leaders and innovators to strengthen international cooperation, mobilise investment and accelerate renewable energy deployment, particularly across emerging economies and the Global South.

The four-day conference will feature high-level plenaries, ministerial discussions, CEO roundtables, and country and state sessions focused on financing, policy, technology, and skilling.

Discussions will cover clean energy investment, emerging technologies, manufacturing, energy storage, and workforce development, with an emphasis on technology exchange, scalable solutions, and greater participation and leadership by women in the global energy transition.