It would be the first time that aircraft would be manufactured in India based on technology fully designed and developed indigenously,

In a first, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) — a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) body — has signed a technology transfer agreement with a private company to manufacture trainer airplanes in India. This would be the first time that aircraft would be manufactured in India based on technology fully designed and developed indigenously.

The Hansa-3 NG aircraft is a two-seater aircraft and is the latest iteration of the HANSA planes that have been made by NAL since 1998. Fourteen Hansa planes have been made over the years by NAL and used by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Indian Institutes of Technology. “While we have had a successful track record, we have now managed to seal a partnership with a private company which will manufacture these planes,” said N. Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR.

The company, Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt Limited, is expected to set up manufacturing facilities as well as handle marketing, servicing and after-sales, though NAL would be closely involved in the initial years to help them with various aspects of the manufacturing and operations, said Abhay Pashlikar, Director, CSIR-NAL.

At present, all of the aircraft being used in India’s flying training organsations are imported. Kishor Patel, Founder and Managing Director, Pioneer Clean AMPS told The Hindu that his company — newly setup for aircraft manufacturing — hoped to offer a “competitive value” to these organisations. “The aviation sector is rapidly growing and with that, demand for trained pilots. We expect that locally manufactured aircraft trainers will be cheaper and will also offer better value — in terms of quick turnaround time for maintenance — than foreign planes,” he said on the sidelines of a press event on Friday (April 4, 2025), to announce the technology transfer.

While costs are not clear, Mr. Pashlikar told The Hindu that over the “lifecycle of an aircraft” the Hansa planes would likely cost ₹3 crore or “about half” what comparable imported planes would costs.

‘Needs doubled’

“Today we stand as the third largest domestic aviation market in the country,” said K. Rammohan Naidu, Minister, Civil Aviation, at the press conference. “Our needs have doubled in the last decade. At this rate of demand, we will need at least 750 trainer aircraft. This is a good practical aircraft with a glass cockpit and improved instrumentation. We want to bring down the costs of training for a pilot and the time it takes.”

The HANSA-NG is powered by a Rotax Digital Control Engine with features such as a composite light weight airframe, a glass cockpit, a bubble canopy with a wide panoramic view, and electrically operated flaps, among other features, a promotional brochure says.

Currently the entire airframe of the plane can be manufactured in India and over time, CSIR-NAL and the private company hope to be able to manufacture the engine as well as avionics instrumentation, said Mr. Pashlikar.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The new Pamban Bridge was built to handle more traffic, ensure durability, and improve maritime navigation, boosting regional connectivity and growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu on April 6, marking the opening of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.

Spanning the Palk Strait, the 2.07 kilometre bridge will facilitate smoother connectivity and is set to be unveiled on the occasion of Ram Navami.

It replaces the original Pamban Bridge, built in 1914, which was a cantilever structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span connecting Rameswaram Island to mainland India.

Over time, the bridge became insufficient for growing transportation demands and was affected by the harsh marine environment. However, in 2019, the Centre sanctioned the construction of the new bridge, designed to meet modern transportation needs while preserving the cultural significance of the region.

The new Pamban Bridge is a technologically advanced structure designed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a public sector unit under the ministry of railways.

Key features of the bridge:

• The 72.5-meter navigational span can be raised up to 17 meters to allow larger ships to pass.
• The bridge is 3 meters higher than the existing one, improving sea connectivity.
• It is built with materials designed to ensure durability, including stainless steel reinforcement and high-grade protective paint.
• The bridge’s substructure is designed to accommodate two tracks, with the superstructure currently supporting a single line.

Necessity for the bridge:

• The original Pamban Bridge couldn’t accommodate increasing traffic and modern transportation needs.
• The new Pamban Bridge provides a more robust structure for heavier rail traffic and faster trains.
• The bridge will also ensure smooth maritime navigation while addressing the limitations of the old structure.
• Designed for two tracks, with the superstructure currently accommodating a single line.

Construction and techniques:

• The bridge was built using modern engineering methods and advanced materials like stainless steel.
• Corrosion-resistant coatings were applied to ensure durability in the marine environment.
• Due to site challenges, the lift span was launched using the Auto Launching Method and positioned with hydraulic jacking.
• The bridge used launching girders (51m front, 47m rear) with counterweights to precisely move the lift span across the piers.

Challenges and innovations:

• Environmental challenges included turbulent waters, cyclones, and seismic activity.
• Logistical difficulties were faced in transporting heavy materials to the remote site.
• Despite these obstacles, the project was completed safely, demonstrating the construction team’s ingenuity and resilience.
• The bridge is 72.5 meters long and can be raised by 17 meters to allow ship passage.

Infrastructure advancement:

• The new Pamban Bridge showcases India’s growing infrastructure capabilities.
• It joins globally recognized bridges like the Golden Gate, Tower, and Oresund bridges.
• The bridge highlights India’s engineering prowess in overcoming geographical and environmental challenges.
• Durable design ensures a lifespan of over 100 years.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

The study will be held in bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, using the One Health approach to track the health of humans, migratory birds and their shared environment.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, India is set to begin an ambitious, inter-ministerial scientific study aimed at detecting zoonotic diseases that could spill over from birds to humans, focusing on the critical intersection of human, bird, and forest health.

This unique study will be conducted in select bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, leveraging the One Health approach to monitor the health of both human populations and migratory bird species, as well as the environment in which they coexist.

The study, which was launched at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Headquarters, here on Friday, will help India prepare for future pandemics.

Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR), said, “Just as a strong radar system is essential for timely and precise action, robust surveillance systems are critical for early detection and containment of emerging health threats.”

“Scientific departments have a pivotal role in developing innovative tools and advancing research to strengthen these surveillance ‘radars’ which can be implemented in a programmatic manner,” he added.

The National One Health Mission (NOHM) exemplifies the government of India’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge science in real-world settings to anticipate and mitigate public health risks, he added.

“By embracing the One Health approach, we are shifting from reactive responses to proactive preparedness – an urgent global necessity,” the ICMR chief said.

Dr Ranjan Das, Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said that it is imperative to understand the mechanisms and drivers responsible for zoonotic spill overs, so that timely and coordinated actions can be taken.

He said the initiative aligns with the national strategy to detect, prevent, and respond to zoonotic threats. “Strengthening surveillance at the human-animal-environment interface will significantly enhance India’s preparedness for future outbreaks,” he added.

Dr Sangeeta Aggarwal, Scientist F, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India said, “This is a pioneering example of inter-ministerial cooperation on scientific surveillance, essential for resilient health systems. Such collaborations are key to ensuring that our science translates into actionable policy.”

Sunil Sharma, Assistant Inspector General of Forest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said that the collaborative effort reinforces the government’s commitment to conserving biodiversity while protecting communities from emerging health risks.

“Wildlife and ecosystem health are deeply intertwined with human well-being, and this study rightly addresses that balance,” he said, adding that the ministry will provide continuous support for this and other initiatives of One Health.

According to the Union Health Ministry, with India being a vital hub along the Central Asian migratory bird flyway, bird sanctuaries represent an interface where the risk of zoonotic transmission is heightened.

Bird sanctuary workers, including rescue teams and veterinarians, are especially vulnerable due to their close proximity to wild and migratory birds.

The interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, avian populations, and local human communities makes this an urgent area for surveillance.

“The study aims to develop a real-time surveillance model to detect and diagnose zoonotic diseases in bird sanctuary workers and nearby residents. It will involve periodic sampling of birds and environmental specimens to screen for emerging pathogens, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for the early identification of novel infections,” the statement from the ministry said.

The research project, involving collaboration between multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Agriculture will establish India’s first early warning system for zoonotic spillovers, enhancing the country’s preparedness to respond to potential public health threats.

By integrating wildlife health, environmental science, and human health, the study represents a critical step toward safeguarding both public and environmental health in India.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Industry players and experts have stated that the duties will pose challenges for Indian goods but India’s position is comparatively more favourable than that of its competitor nations.

The US has announced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs or import duties on Indian goods which will enter American markets.

Industry players and experts have stated that the duties will pose challenges for Indian goods but India’s position is comparatively more favourable than that of its competitor nations.

The US has announced 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs or import duties on Indian goods which will enter American markets.

Industry players and experts have stated that the duties will pose challenges for Indian goods but India’s position is comparatively more favourable than that of its competitor nations.

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Here is a list of Q & As (questions and answers) to explain these issues and implications of the US move:

Q. What are tariffs?

A. These are customs or import duties imposed on the import of goods. The importer has to pay this duty to the government. Normally, companies pass on these taxes to end users.

Q. What are reciprocal tariffs?

A. They are imposed by countries to counter increases in duties or high tariffs by trading partners — a kind of tit-for-tat tax.

Q. How much tariffs are imposed by the US on India?

A. Goods from India are already facing a 25 per cent tariff on steel, aluminium, and auto. For remaining products, India is subject to a base line tariff of 10 per cent between April 5-8. Then the tariff will rise to country-specific 27 per cent starting April 9. Over 60 countries are affected by the measures.

Q. Why has the US announced these tariffs?

A. According to America, these taxes will help boost domestic manufacturing in the US and cut the trade deficit. The US is facing huge trade imbalances with countries, especially with China. With India, the US has a trade deficit of USD 35.31 billion in goods in 2023-24.

Q. Which all sectors are exempted from these tariffs?

A. These include essential and strategic items such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, copper, and energy products like oil, gas, coal, and LNG, according to analysis of think tank GTRI.

Q. What will be the impact of these tariffs on India?

A. According to a government official, the commerce ministry is analysing the impact of the 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on India. However, it is a mixed bag and not a setback for India.

Apex exporters body FIEO said that the duties pose challenges for domestic players but India’s position remains comparatively more favourable than that of its competitor nations.

The exporters said that the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement will help domestic industry to overcome the possible impact of these duties.

GTRI said that overall the USA’s protectionist tariff regime could act as a catalyst for India to gain from global supply chain realignments. However, to fully leverage these opportunities, India has to enhance its ease of doing business, invest in logistics and infrastructure, and maintain policy stability, it added.

Q. What is the Trade agreement between India and US?

A. During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington in February, both the countries announced negotiations of this agreement with an aim to increase the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. They are aiming at finalising the first phase of this pact by fall (September-October) of this year.

Q. What is a trade agreement?

A. In such pacts, two trading partners either significantly reduce customs duties or eliminate them on maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and investments.

Q. What are the tariffs announced by the US on India’s competitor countries?

A. 54 per cent on China, 46 per cent on Vietnam, 37 per cent on Bangladesh, and 36 per cent on Thailand.

Q. Are these reciprocal tariffs WTO compliant?

A. According to international trade expert Abhijit Das, these duties clearly violate the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. He said it breaches both MFN (most favoured nation) obligations and the bound rate commitments and a WTO member country has all the right to go against these duties in the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism.

Q. What is the bilateral trade between India and the US?

A. From 2021-22 to 2023-24, the US was India’s largest trading partner. The US accounts for about 18 per cent of India’s total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in bilateral trade.

With America, India had a trade surplus (the difference between imports and exports) of USD 35.32 billion in goods in 2023-24. This was USD 27.7 billion in 2022-23, USD 32.85 billion in 2021-22, USD 22.73 billion in 2020-21, and USD 17.26 billion in 2019-20.

In 2024, India’s main exports to the US included drug formulations and biologicals (USD 8.1 billion), telecom instruments (USD 6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones (USD 5.3 billion), petroleum products (USD 4.1 billion), gold and other precious metal jewellery (USD 3.2 billion), ready-made garments of cotton, including accessories (USD 2.8 billion), and products of iron and steel (USD 2.7 billion).

Imports included crude oil (USD 4.5 billion), petroleum products (USD 3.6 billion), coal, coke (USD 3.4 billion), cut and polished diamonds (USD 2.6 billion), electric machinery (USD 1.4 billion), aircraft, spacecraft and parts (USD 1.3 billion), and gold (USD 1.3 billion).

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The six-day trek commenced at Kenzamani and it will culminate at Pungteng in Tawang on April 5.

A 300-member group of monks, village chiefs, personnel of border-guarding forces, tourists and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members embarked on a 100-km trek along the Freedom Trail in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday afternoon, retracing the route taken by the 14th Dalai Lama during his great escape from Tibet.

The six-day trek commenced at Kenzamani and it will culminate at Pungteng in Tawang on April 5, commemorating the day when the Tibetan spiritual leader arrived in this India-China border town in 1959.

Organised by the district administration, the inaugural ceremony of the event began with prayers for long life of the Dalai Lama, followed by cultural performances by monks and villagers. 

Addressing the participants, Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu emphasised the spiritual and historical significance of the journey, stating, “As we embark on this journey along the Freedom Trail, we draw strength from the wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and hope for a peaceful future.” 

He said Arunachal’s relationship with Tibet is centuries-old, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual understanding.  “The bond between our people goes beyond borders. We remain inspired by the teachings of His Holiness and his unwavering commitment to compassion, non-violence and promotion of human values,” Lhamu added.

Tsering Lhamu along with the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs chairman Jambey Wangdi, flagged off the trek. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans received the portrait of the Dalai Lama and a branch of the holy tree at Chudangmo, offering a guard of honour.

The participants reached Chhu-Dang-Mo later in the day, covering a small yet significant distance of 3 km. Accommodation for them was arranged by the ITBP and the Indian Army.

On day 2, they will undertake a 10 km trek to Gorzam Chorten, a five-hour walk deep into the heart of history. The next day of the event will entail a gruelling ten-hour walk to Shakti, located 22 km away. The participants will be joined by village chiefs and PRI members from Pangchen Dhingro.

On day 4, they will walk a distance of 23 km to reach Old Lumla, culminating in a visit to Thar Dhoe Norbu Ling Gonpa. It will be followed by a 14 km stretch to Thongleng on day 5 before the final push.

On the last day, the participants will take part in a 28 km march to Tawang Monastery, an 11-hour journey ending in the embrace of history.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Hydrocarbon Business, L&T Energy Hydrocarbon (LTEH), has secured its largest-ever contract with QatarEnergy LNG. The Ultra Mega Offshore Contract, awarded for the North Field Production Sustainability Offshore Compression Project (NFPS COMP 4), marks a significant milestone for L&T in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.

L&T added in a release that the scope of work encompasses the engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of two offshore compression complexes, each comprising of large offshore platforms with compression and power generation facilities, living quarters, flare platforms, interconnected bridges, and other associated structures to be located at approximately 80 kms off the northeast coast of Qatar.

S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director- L&T commented, “Securing QatarEnergy LNG’s Ultra Mega Offshore Contract–the largest single order in our history, is a landmark achievement. This prestigious project strengthens our global energy portfolio while supporting Qatar’s energy security objectives. I thank QatarEnergy LNG for placing their trust in L&T to deliver this complex and strategically important project. We look forward to setting new benchmarks in project execution that will reinforce Qatar’s position as a global LNG leader.

Subramanian Sarma, Deputy Managing Director & President-L&T commented, “The award of a project of such nature is a reflection of the confidence & trust placed by QatarEnergy LNG in L&T’s expertise and its ability to deliver such large-scale projects for which L&T is very thankful. This collaboration not only strengthens our partnership but also reaffirms L&T’s commitment to supporting Qatar’s strategic energy objectives through innovative and reliable solutions.”

The Axis Capital, in its report earlier added that the contract is a part of QatarEnergy’s broader plan to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity from 70 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 126 MTPA. The report added that L&T has already disclosed approximately Rs 350 billion in core orders on exchanges for Q4FY25.

The company reported a strong performance in Q3FY25, with a notable core order inflow beat and a 20 per cent growth in core revenue, the report added in its analysis.

The report added that L&T’s FY26 prospect pipeline will be a key indicator of its growth potential, with an expected 8 per cent-10 per cent increase. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)