Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train, Criticizes Past Governments Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched India’s first hydrogen-powered train, marking a significant step in the country’s push toward sustainable transportation. The train, which operates between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, was flagged off during a public event in the region. Modi used the occasion to critique previous governments, particularly the Congress-led administration before 2014, for neglecting the development of India’s railway sector. He emphasized that the country’s middle class and poor were not prioritized by these governments, which he claimed failed to address critical infrastructure needs. During his address in Jind, Modi highlighted the vulnerability of India’s railway system during the 2014-2019 period, referencing the strategic importance of the Hormuz Strait. He stated that if the region had faced a disruption similar to the 2014-2019 conflict, the country’s reliance on diesel-powered trains would have caused a complete standstill. However, he argued that the transformation of Indian Railways under the BJP’s governance over the past 12 years has ensured uninterrupted operations. Modi pointed to the electrification of the railway network as a key achievement, noting that while only 30% of the network was electrified by 2014, nearly 99% has been electrified since then. Modi also criticized the Congress government for making false promises about new train services without delivering tangible results. He claimed that railway development should have been prioritized decades earlier but was consistently overlooked. In Jalandhar, he reiterated that the current infrastructure improvements were delayed due to the lack of focus from previous administrations.#haryana #prime_minister_narendra_modi #indian_railways #sonipat #jind

Maruti Suzuki Kharkhoda Plant Inaugurated by PM Modi: 100% Renewable Energy The Maruti Suzuki Kharkhoda plant, located in Sonipat, Haryana, was inaugurated on Thursday via video conferencing by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi. The facility, spanning 800 acres, marks a significant milestone in India-Japan industrial collaboration and is designed to become the world’s largest vehicle manufacturing unit. The plant’s current annual production capacity is 5 lakh vehicles, with plans to expand it to 10 lakh units through a phased investment of 35,000 crores. This expansion will create over 21,000 direct and indirect jobs, boosting local economic growth and strengthening India’s automotive sector. The plant operates entirely on renewable energy, with 100% of its electricity needs met through solar power. A 20-megawatt solar plant is already in operation, and its capacity will be expanded to 70 megawatts by 2030. Additionally, a biogas plant with 10-tonne daily capacity and a battery energy storage system of one megawatt-hour will further reduce the plant’s carbon footprint. The facility also employs advanced water recycling systems, achieving 100% reuse of industrial water through rainwater harvesting and treatment. The plant incorporates Industry 5.0 technologies, including human-aware collaborative robots (cobots) that work alongside employees to enhance productivity, safety, and quality. These innovations align with India’s vision of becoming a global automotive manufacturing hub. Maruti Suzuki’s president, Toshihiro Suzuki, highlighted the plant’s role in advancing the “Make in India” initiative, noting that India’s vehicle exports have been steadily increasing.#maruti_suzuki #haryana #narendra_modi #prime_minister_modi #sonipat

PM Modi Inaugurates Maruti Suzuki's Smart Plant in Sonipat, Creating 21,000 Jobs Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi inaugurated the Maruti Suzuki Smart Plant in Kharkhoda, Sonipat, during a virtual event as part of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit and the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum. The plant, developed with an investment of 35,000 crore rupees, is set to become a cornerstone of India’s automotive industry and a global manufacturing hub. The facility, located in a 800-acre area, will initially produce 5 lakh vehicles annually, with capacity to scale to 10 lakh units per year, making it one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturing units. The inauguration highlights the strategic collaboration between India and Japan, with the plant symbolizing their shared commitment to industrial growth. The facility incorporates Industry 5.0 technologies, including AI-driven cobots (collaborative robots) to enhance productivity and quality while reducing energy consumption. It also features a 100% renewable energy system, with an in-house solar plant capable of generating 70 megawatts of power. The plant’s design emphasizes sustainability, featuring a zero liquid discharge system, 100% water recycling, and a biogas plant scheduled to start operations in 2026-27. The project is expected to create over 21,000 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities in sectors like logistics, hospitality, and real estate. Sonipat, once primarily an agricultural region, is now transitioning into a global industrial hub. The plant’s establishment will boost local economies, provide skill development opportunities for youth, and attract further investments.#maruti_suzuki #prime_minister_narendra_modi #sonipat #prime_minister_sanae_takahashi #india_japan_annual_summit

AAI Begins Fresh Trials for Asian Games, World Cup Stages 3 and 4 The Archery Association of India (AAI) has announced new selection trials in Sonipat to determine the men’s and women’s squads for World Cup Stages 3 and 4, as well as the upcoming Asian Games. The trials follow India’s performance in the first two stages of the Archery World Cup, where the team secured two golds and one bronze. Indian archers returned home after competing in Mexico (Stage 1) and China (Stage 2), now facing the challenge of defending their positions against a competitive field. India’s success in the first two stages included a women’s compound team gold in Puebla, Mexico, and a women’s recurve team gold in Shanghai, China. Sahil Jadhav added a bronze in men’s compound, bringing the team’s total to three medals. India ranks fifth in the overall tally after two stages, behind China (11 medals, five golds), the USA (nine medals, three golds), Turkiye (11 medals, two golds), and Korea (five medals, two golds). The recurve women’s team made a strong showing in Shanghai, defeating Korea in the semifinals and then beating China in the final. Simranjeet Kaur, who did not participate in the team gold, impressed in the individual draw by reaching the semifinals before losing to world No. 1 Kang Chae-young of Korea, the eventual champion. While the team golds highlight India’s strength in compound and recurve events, the single individual bronze underscores concerns about depth in individual and mixed competitions. Across the first two stages, Indian archers rarely advanced beyond the quarterfinals in individual events, raising questions about consistency. The Sonipat trials will feature qualification rounds on the first two days, followed by a round-robin league and elimination rounds.#sonipat #archery_association_of_india #world_cup_stage_3 #world_cup_stage_4 #asian_games

Bharat PET IPO: Company Targets Rs 760 Crore Fundraise Through Fresh Issue And OFS Bharat PET Limited has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for an initial public offering (IPO) aimed at raising up to Rs 760 crore. The offering combines a fresh issue of equity shares, an offer for sale (OFS) by existing promoter shareholders, and potential pre-IPO placements. The company plans to use the funds for debt repayment, capital expenditure, and general corporate purposes. The IPO structure includes a fresh issue of up to Rs 120 crore and an OFS of up to Rs 640 crore, primarily from the Gupta family, which holds significant stakes in the company. Additionally, Bharat PET may consider a pre-IPO placement of up to Rs 24 crore, as advised by its book running lead managers. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be allocated to repay Rs 50 crore in debt, invest Rs 35.8 crore in machinery and equipment, and cover other operational needs. Bharat PET Limited, established in 1998, is an integrated packaging solutions provider with a diverse product range, including PET bottles, jars, preforms, multi-layer co-extruded bottles, caps, closures, and tin containers. The company specializes in the agrochemical sector, where it holds an estimated 11% market share, according to a CARE report. Its manufacturing facilities are located in Delhi, Sonipat, Ankleshwar, and Jammu, supported by in-house design and tooling capabilities. The company claims to deliver moulds within 48 hours and maintains a portfolio of over 500 moulds. Financially, Bharat PET reported revenue of Rs 411.82 crore in fiscal year 2025, with pro forma EBITDA of Rs 87.93 crore and a net profit (PAT) of Rs 50.99 crore. The company maintained strong margins, with EBITDA at 21.35% and PAT at 16.#delhi #securities_and_exchange_board_of_india #bharat_pet #gupta_family #sonipat
