Development Watch – Week #5 July’25

Development News

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Meghalaya MoUs to boost rural entrepreneurship

Meghalaya’s Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have partnered with 12 institutions to enhance rural entrepreneurship under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM). The agreements were formalized at a summit at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. They aim to provide technical training, R&D support, and capacity building. This initiative seeks to empower local communities by promoting value addition and market access for their products.

UP RERA recovers Rs. 1,410 Crores for Homebuyers

UP RERA has successfully recovered ₹1410 crores in 5700 real estate matters, with ₹861 crore recovered between August 2023 and July 15, 2025. This constitutes 61% of the total recoveries. Furthermore, approximately 1650 recovery certificates were settled mutually, and 8500 matters worth ₹3320 crore were resolved through conciliation and enforcement proceedings.

DGCA flags 263 safety lapses across Airlines

India’s aviation regulator DGCA found 263 safety-related lapses across airlines in its annual audit. Air India had 51 issues, IndiGo 23, and Air India Express 25. The lapses include training gaps and unapproved simulators. The DGCA noted 19 were significant “Level I” breaches. Audits align with global standards, and larger airlines tend to have more findings.

GMR airport to raise Rs. 5,700 Crores refinance debt

The company is tapping a mix of banks, NBFCs, and mutual funds at a blended cost of around 10.5%, potentially lowering its average borrowing cost by nearly 300 basis points. Tata Capital is expected to contribute Rs 1,000 crore, while JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and Barclays are likely to bring in Rs 1,000 crore, Rs 1,500 crore, and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively. Mutual funds may provide the remaining Rs 1,200 crore.

Beverage co. cuts carbon emissions by 16,000 tons

SLMG Beverages, Coca-Cola’s largest independent bottler in India, significantly reduced its carbon emissions by approximately 16,000 metric tons in 2024 compared to the previous year. This achievement is attributed to the company’s green initiatives, including a heavy reliance on biofuels and solar power for its energy needs. It was able to achieve lower emissions on the back of green initiatives that include 90 per cent of its fuel consumption being derived from biofuels and 38 per cent of its energy needs being met through solar power. SLMG Beverage, a flagship of the Ladhani Group, contributes 23 per cent to Coca-Cola’s national volumes. In Uttar Pradesh, it operates seven bottling units located in Lucknow, Ayodhya, Unnao, Barabanki, Chhata, Trishundi and Bareilly. In water management, SLMG said it has improved its Water Usage Ratio through advanced technologies like Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis, Lampack, and Mechanical Vapor Recompression Evaporation, alongside efficient manufacturing practices.

India manufacturing 17,000 coaches over 5 years

Indian Railways is set to manufacture 17,000 general and non-AC coaches. This will happen over the next five years. The railways currently operates many general and AC coaches. Kavach technology is being deployed on key routes. Vande Bharat trains show high occupancy. Amrit Bharat trains with general and sleeper coaches are also being produced. About 70% of the total 82,000 coaches are general class and non-AC. They are sought by lower income families.