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Mumbai to breathe more of polluted air in coming times, warns study

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 In yet another red-flag, experts have warned that Mumbai could experience more days with ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality during winter in the coming years, as was witnessed during November-December, here on Monday.

A temporary silver lining could be in the form of Cyclone ‘Mandous’ aftermath with wind speed picking up over Mumbai that could result in a dip in pollutants in the coming days.

In the past 40 days from November 1 – December 10, Mumbai had 22 days of ‘poor’ category for air quality and for four days (December 5-8) it was in the ‘very poor’ range.

During the same period in 2021, the number of ‘poor’ days was only six with no ‘very poor’ air days indicating a sharp decline in 2022.

Last year, during the period there were 18 days when PM-2.5 was within the permissible limits but in 2022 there was only one day when PM-2.5 was in the permissible range.

In 2022, the 18 ‘poor’ and four ‘very poor’ air quality days the worst-affected were Malad, Chembur and Mazagaon, while Borivali, Navi Mumbai and Worli recorded the cleanest air during the period (November 1 – December 10).

Mumbai’s fresh air continues to be smothered by the transport sector (30 per cent), biofuels or residential emissions (20), industries (18), windblown dust (15) and the rest (17) related to weather factors including sea-salt, as per SAFAR study.

Waatavaran Foundation’s founder Bhagwan Kesbhat said that the Maharashtra government and municipal authorities must develop a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) that can set in motion a series of emergency measures whenever the air quality hits a certain threshold, besides health advisories and controlling pollution at the sources.

Convenor of Awaaz Foundation Sumaira Abdulali said the BMC has failed to issue health advisories through social media as was done during the Covid-19 pandemic so people can take precautions to safeguard their health on an individual and institutional level.

Anjal Prakash of Indian School of Business said that the city’s air quality has dipped due to the prevailing global meteorological conditions called the El Nino Southern Oscillation with an abnormal warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts global atmospheric circulation and in turn influences temperatures and precipitation.

Dr. Harshal R. Salve of AIIMS urged that regional issues pertaining to poor air quality must be met with regional answers, plus quick-fixes like using N95 masks and putting out open fires, etc.

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Sensex, Nifty open on positive note as geopolitical tensions ease

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Mumbai, Jan 23: The Indian stock market opened higher on Friday, extending gains for the second consecutive trading session while tracking positive global cues.

As of 9.30 am, the Sensex added 132 points, or 0.16 per cent to reach 82,440 and the Nifty advanced 52 points, or 0.21 per cent to 25,342.

Main broad-cap indices performed in line with benchmark indices, as Nifty Midcap 100 added 0.32 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 0.24 per cent.

All sectoral indices were trading in the green except Nifty media, PSU bank, realty as well as oil and gas.The top gainer was Nifty metal, up over 0.9 per cent. Nifty Media was the notable loser, down 0.74 per cent.

Immediate support for Nifty is placed at 25,100-25,150 zone, while key support is seen at 25,400–25,450 zone, market watchers said.

Asia-Pacific markets rose in the morning session, tracking Wall Street gains as geopolitical concerns moderated. Investor optimism rose as the Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady.

The pattern of sustained FII selling and DII buying, which dominated the market trend in 2025, have continued in 2026 so far. Investors look for a change in this pattern from cues in Budget 2026.

The FII’s stance on India depends on growth in India’s corporate earnings as they can invest in other markets with cheaper valuations and better earnings, analysts said.

Since earnings growth may take some time, FII selling is expected to continue, pre-empting any healthy rally. FIIs are adding to the short positions on every rally triggered by some positive news, they added.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index added 0.27 per cent, and Shenzhen gained 0.24 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 0.5 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.29 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.92 per cent.

The US markets ended in the green overnight as Nasdaq advanced 0.91 per cent. The S&P 500 gained 0.55 per cent, and the Dow added 0.63 per cent.

On January 22, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold net equities worth Rs 2,550 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 4,223 crore.

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WEF Davos 2026: From Innovation City In Mumbai To ₹14.5 Lakh Crore Deals, Devendra Fadnavis’ Mega Maharashtra Development Plan

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis used the global platform of the World Economic Forum Annual Summit 2026 to outline a sharp and expansive roadmap aimed at accelerating the state’s transformation into a technology driven, infrastructure led and sustainability-focused economic powerhouse. Over multiple sessions and investor interactions, the Chief Minister positioned Maharashtra as a preferred global investment destination with long term policy clarity.

One of the most prominent announcements was the plan to develop a state of the art Innovation City near the Mumbai airport. Envisioned as a plug and play ecosystem, the project is designed to attract startups, global technology firms, research institutions and innovation driven enterprises. The proposed city will focus on artificial intelligence, fintech, deep tech and digital infrastructure, offering seamless business readiness and world class connectivity.

Backing the Innovation City project, Tata Sons committed an investment of nearly 11 billion dollars, translating to over Rs 90,000 crore. The investment is expected to play a catalytic role in shaping the project’s infrastructure, technology backbone and employment potential. Officials indicated that the commitment reflects strong investor confidence in Maharashtra’s governance and growth trajectory.

On the first day of the summit itself, Maharashtra secured Memoranda of Understanding of approximately Rs 14.5 lakh crore. These agreements span sectors such as data centres, logistics, urban infrastructure, financial services and clean energy. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority alone signed 19 major MoUs aimed at strengthening logistics corridors, fintech ecosystems and large scale urban projects.

The MoUs signed on Day One are projected to generate over 15 lakh jobs across sectors, including infrastructure manufacturing, renewable energy, digital services, food processing and automobiles. The employment boost is likely to span skilled technology roles, infrastructure related work and allied services, particularly across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and emerging growth centres.

Fadnavis reiterated the government’s vision for the Raigad Pen Growth Centre, referring to it as the Third Mumbai. Planned as a new age business district, the area will host global capability centres, data centres and fintech hubs, easing pressure on Mumbai while creating a modern commercial nucleus aligned with future industries.

In line with sustainability goals, the Chief Minister announced a target to source 52 percent of Maharashtra’s total power from renewable energy by 2030. He also outlined a circular economy vision for Mumbai, focusing on waste reduction, resource efficiency and sustainable urban development, aligning the city with global climate commitments.

A MedTech roadmap was unveiled to make healthcare more affordable through advanced medical technology. Alongside this, strategic partnerships were announced to strengthen Maharashtra’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, with the aim of positioning the state as a leading AI hub in India.

Throughout the summit, Fadnavis engaged with global leaders and investors, reinforcing Maharashtra’s ambition of becoming a one trillion dollar economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and sustainability.

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Sensex, Nifty post strong gains as geopolitical tensions ease over Greenland

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Mumbai, Jan 22: The Indian benchmark indices posted strong gains in early trade on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump walked back on his tariff threats against eight European countries over Greenland ownership.

As of 9.25 am, the Sensex added 568 points, or 0.69 per cent to reach 82,477 and the Nifty advanced 160 points, or 0.64 per cent to 25,317.

Main broadcap indices overperformed the benchmark indices, with the Nifty Midcap 100 adding 0.94 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 advancing 1.01 per cent.

All sectoral indices were trading in the green, with Nifty auto, PSU bank, media and IT being the notable gainers — up 1.05 per cent, 0.89 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.80 per cent, respectively.

Immediate support lies at 25,000 zone, while resistance is now anchored near 25,250–25,300 zone, market watchers said.

Asia-Pacific markets rebounded after Trump informed that tariffs won’t be imposed on European countries over Greenland.

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trump said that force would not be used to acquire the Arctic island, adding that he had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland,” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Analysts said that Trump’s message that the US would “refrain from imposing tariffs on Europe” retracts threat of a US-Europe trade war which was dragging the markets down.

The consequent relief rally in the market could be significant since two lakh short contracts are lying in the market, with the market construct appropriate for a short-covering, they said.

Though the Q3 profitability of companies was negatively impacted by higher provision for the new labour code commitments, the market will shrug it off as a one time factor, an analyst added.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index lost 0.12 per cent, and Shenzhen eased 0.12 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei added 1.87 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 0.08 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.97 per cent.

The US markets ended in the green in the last trading session as Nasdaq advanced 1.18 per cent. The S&P 500 gained 1.16 per cent, and the Dow added 1.21 per cent.

On January 20, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in India sold net equities worth Rs 1,788 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 4,520 crore.

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