Business

Hero MotoCorp has strengthened its presence in the electric vehicle market with the introduction of a new 3.4 kWh variant of the Vida VX2 electric scooter, priced at Rs. 1.02 lakh (ex-showroom). The updated version offers a balance of performance, range, and affordability, positioning it strategically between the brand’s entry-level and premium e-scooter offerings.

Indian food conglomerate Haldiram’s, renowned for its dominance in the packaged snacks and quick-service restaurant (QSR) markets, is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a U.S.-based sandwich chain. The move aims to strengthen its foothold in the global fast-food space and position the company against international heavyweights like Subway and Tim Hortons. This potential acquisition marks a pivotal step in Haldiram’s transformation from a traditional Indian snack leader into a diversified, global food brand.

SIS Group, a leading security and business services company, has navigated a remarkable transformation since the turbulence of India’s demonetisation era. Once challenged by liquidity shortages and operational hurdles, the firm leveraged innovation, diversification, and disciplined management to engineer a turnaround that now positions it as a resilient market leader. Through its integrated security, cash logistics, and facility management services, SIS has not only recovered lost ground but expanded across domestic and international markets.

In a significant expansion move, the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the opening of a new Taj Hotel in Chennai, reinforcing its leadership in India’s luxury hospitality sector. The project underscores IHCL’s strategic focus on Tamil Nadu, one of its key growth markets in southern India. The new property, developed under a management contract, aligns with the company’s broader plan to enhance its premium portfolio and cater to the rising demand for luxury accommodation in business and leisure destinations across the region.

India’s automobile retail industry achieved a record-breaking performance in October 2025, with total vehicle sales soaring to 40.23 lakh units, a sharp 40.5% increase year-on-year. The surge, fuelled by strong festive demand, rural recovery, and recent tax reforms, marked one of the industry’s best-ever festive seasons. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), cumulative vehicle sales over the 42-day festive window touched 52.38 lakh units, up 21% from last year.

A massive technical failure at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday caused widespread flight delays, affecting thousands of passengers and disrupting air traffic across India’s busiest aviation hub. A malfunction in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication system forced controllers to switch to manual operations, slowing down flight clearances and leading to cascading delays.

As Lenskart Solutions prepares for its public listing after raising Rs. 7,278 crore, co-founder Peyush Bansal emphasises that the company was never built to chase valuations but to reach people. He describes the listing not as a culmination but as “Day Zero” of a larger ambition—expanding access to eyewear and building a global Indian institution rooted in precision, design and service. His note casts the IPO as a stepping-stone rather than a finish line. 

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A Milestone, Not a Terminus

India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its total installed capacity to 149 gigawatts (GW) by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to the nation’s clean energy transition. The strategy reflects a sharp pivot towards renewable and low-carbon generation, with a growing emphasis on solar, wind, hydro, and green hydrogen projects. As part of its long-term roadmap, NTPC aims to ensure that nearly half of its energy mix comes from non-fossil sources.

Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd., India’s leading state-owned infrastructure lender, reported a 9% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 7,834 crore for the second quarter (Q2) of FY2024-25, driven by higher loan disbursements and improved asset quality. The company’s revenue from operations surged to Rs 24,643 crore, while gross non-performing assets (NPAs) fell sharply, reflecting strong financial discipline and robust sectoral demand.

Adani Power Ltd has emerged as the lowest bidder for Bihar’s ambitious 2,400 MW Bhagalpur thermal power project, quoting a competitive tariff of Rs 6.075 per unit. The project, valued at approximately Rs 26,000 crore, marks a significant milestone in Bihar’s push toward energy self-sufficiency and industrial growth. Expected to be developed over the next five years, the ultra-supercritical plant will strengthen the state’s power infrastructure and generate large-scale employment during construction.