Business
Sterlite Copper’s exit from TN gives bad signal for new investors

The decision of Vedanta Ltd to sell its 4,00,000 ton per annum (tpa) copper smelter plant and refining complex at Tuticorin gives a bad signal for any prospective investors in the city as well as in Tamil Nadu, said businessmen.
The copper smelter plant complex is known as Sterlite Copper.
They also said investors would think twice before investing in Tuticorin.
“The protest against the Sterlite Copper’s closure three years back is well known now the world over. With the company’s decision to sell its plant and other assets, new investors may not come to Tuticorin,” I. Lenin, President, Thoothukudi Industrial Suppliers Association told IANS.
Vendors to Sterlite Copper were taken by surprise at the smelter plant’s sell off announcement by Vedanta on Monday.
“The transport industry has been severely affected ever since Sterlite Copper was closed down in 2018. About 400 lorry owners were impacted and many were forced to reduce their fleet size by selling the trucks,” S. Murugan, Joint Secretary, Thoothukudi Lorry Owners Association, told IANS.
Not only the lorry operators, but also several others like the labourers, shops, servants, provision stores, local transport operators were also affected by the closure of the copper smelter plant, Murugan added.
Businessmen said three thermal power plants and a couple of other factories in Tuticorin were not functional for a long time and it was the business from Sterlite Copper that sustained them.
“We used to change our truck tyres every three months when Sterlite Copper was functional, which means the tyre industry too did well,” Murugan remarked.
Lenin and Murugan said the Tamil Nadu government could have offered Vedanta an alternate site for relocating the smelter plant.
The businessmen also said Tuticorin may not be an attractive investment destination following the Sterlite Copper episode.
“The state government should have taken stringent action in case of environment violations and should have allowed Sterlite Copper to function,” Murugan and Lenin said.
The exit of Sterlite Copper from Tuticorin will give a boost to the non-government organisations (NGO) to start targeting other major industries in the state.
Further the Sterlite Copper episode will also deter future investors from investing in Tuticorin where a new furniture park is being set up, businessmen in Tuticorin added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had laid the foundation stone for the 1,156 crore furniture park. The government expects the furniture park to attract about Rs 4,500 crore investment.
On Monday, Vedanta along with Axis Capital had called for Expression of Interest (EoI) for its smelter complex (primary and secondary), sulphuric acid plant, copper refinery, continuous copper rod plant, phosphoric acid plant, effluent treatment plant, 160 MW captive power plant, reverse osmosis units, oxygen generation unit and residential complex with amenities.
According to Vedanta, the plant produces about 40 per cent of the country’s demand for copper and contributes about Rs 2,500 crore per annum to the exchequer and 12 per cent of Tuticorin Port’s revenue.
Vedanta said the closure of Tuticorin copper smelter plant has had a ripple effect in terms of imports and livelihoods.
“Post closure, India has become a net importer of copper for the first time in 18 years, with copper imports growing 3X while exports have plunged by 90 per cent. We are continuing to explore all legal avenues towards achieving a sustainable solution to the closure,” the company had said.
The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the copper smelter plant to be shut down in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons in police firing.
The 4,00,000 ton Sterlite Copper smelter plant that has been operating in Tuticorin for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore.
Business
Mumbai Airport Refutes IATA’s Claims On Cargo And Passenger Flight Slot Changes, Defends Operational Adjustments

Mumbai: Days after airlines trade body IATA expressed disappointment at Mumbai airport operator MIAL’s decision to stop cargo freighter flights and withdrawal of slots for passenger flights, the airport refuted the claim on Thursday.
“Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) is disappointed by the statement issued by the IATA on April 29 and strongly refutes its assertions,” MIAL said in a statement. “Contrary to the claims made by IATA, the recent adjustments to cargo operations and slot allocations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have followed a transparent, consultative and regulatordriven process,” it said.
These operational changes are part of a broader infrastructure upgrade initiative governed by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) as part of the Fourth Control Period review, MIAL said. In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, IATA’s Head of Worldwide Airport Slots, John Middleton, called on MIAL to reverse the cuts immediately.
“MIAL continues to respect international best practices, including the guidelines issued by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board and remains committed to maintaining coordination,” the private operator said.
Business
Together, we sail towards a stronger, bolder India: Gautam Adani

Thiruvananthapuram, May 2: Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Friday said he is grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for their support towards building India’s first deep-sea automated port which is a future global transshipment hub, adding that together, “we sail towards a stronger, bolder India”.
This is a triumph of vision, resilience, and partnership, said Gautam Adani as PM Modi dedicated to the nation the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs 8,900 crore.
“Today, at Vizhinjam, history, destiny, and possibility came together as a 30-year-old dream of Kerala became India’s gateway to the world,” said the billionaire industrialist in a post on X.
“We are proud to have built India’s first deep-sea automated port. A future global transshipment hub. This is a triumph of vision, resilience, and partnership,” Gautam Adani added.
The Adani Group Chairman further stated that “together, we sail towards a stronger, bolder India.”
Vizhinjam Port, having strategic importance, has been identified as a key priority project that will contribute to strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce reliance on foreign ports for cargo transhipment.
Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 metres and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthen India’s position in global trade.
“A historic day. Grateful to the Central and State Governments, and the administration and people of Kerala, especially Thiruvananthapuram, for their support in making this port stand as a testament to India’s strategic and bold maritime ambitions,” said Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), in a post on X.
The port is expected to significantly lower logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30-40 per cent, enhancing the country’s export competitiveness.
With plans to increase capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028 with the latest technology, the port is set to play a crucial role in India’s maritime infrastructure.
Working closely with the state government and the Central government, the Adani Group has already invested over Rs 4,500 crore in the Vizhinjam International Seaport project. The Adani Group is expected to invest another Rs 20,000 crore in the project’s upcoming phases, creating more than 5,000 jobs and boosting the local economy to unprecedented heights.
Business
Sensex, Nifty trade in green amid positive global cues

Mumbai, May 2: The Indian stock indices opened in the green on Friday following positive cues from the global markets.
At 9:22 am, Sensex was up 350 points or 0.44 per cent at 80,592 and Nifty was up 71 points or 0.29 per cent at 24,407.
Midcap and smallcap indices were trading flat compared to largecap. Nifty midcap 100 index was up 40 points or 0.08 per cent at 54,185. Nifty smallcap 100 index was down 12 points at 16,436.
Among the sectoral indices, auto, PSU bank, private bank, financial services, metal and realty were major gainers. Pharma, FMCG and media were major laggards.
According to analysts, on the technical front, Nifty 50 continues to consolidate in a narrow range, forming a neutral candlestick pattern. On the hourly chart, a flag and pole pattern are developing, suggesting a possible bullish breakout.”
“If Nifty sustains above 24,400, it can potentially head towards 24,500 and 24,700 levels. Immediate support levels are placed at 24,200, 24,100, and 24,000, offering dip-buying opportunities,” said Mandar Bhojane from Choice Broking.
In the Sensex pack, Adani Ports, Maruti Suzuki, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, M&M, Tata Motors, TCS, Infosys, HDFC Bank, NTPC and SBI were top gainers. Nestle, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, HUL, Power Grid and Bajaj Finance were the top losers.
The international markets were trading with gains. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok were in the green.
The US market also closed with gains on Thursday. In the last session, the technology index Nasdaq surged more than 1.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Brent crude was at $ 62.62 per barrel with a gain of about one per cent.
On the institutional front, FIIs continued their buying streak for the 11th consecutive session, albeit with a modest net buy figure of Rs 50 crore.
Meanwhile, DIIs showed stronger conviction, purchasing equities worth Rs 1,792 crore. The combined flow suggests a supportive undertone for the Indian equities.
Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities, said that overall trend for the Nifty remains bullish, as it continues to trade above all key moving averages.
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