Author: Team

Energy Milestone: Bajel Projects Commissions Key 400kV Transmission Lines for a Stronger Grid

Mumbai, 1 April 2025: Bajel Projects Limited, a Bajaj Group company and a leader in power transmission and distribution solutions, has announced the successful commissioning of two significant 400kV transmission line projects including Raipur Pool – Dhamtari (CKT-I & CKT-II) and Navsari – Magarwada (CKT-I & CKT-II). With proven expertise, the firm has executed both power projects under challenging conditions.

Commissioned on March 22, 2025, the Raipur Pool – Dhamtari transmission line spans 88.65 km. It involved the supply and installation of specialised 400kV Dwarf Towers, enabling seamless execution in space-restricted locations. Despite numerous challenges such as Right-of-Way constraints, waterlogged areas, and high-voltage crossings, the project was delivered seamlessly.

Similarly, the Navsari – Magarwada transmission line, spanning 44 km commissioned for Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL), achieved an outstanding 1.5 million safe man-hours last week. The project, delivered ahead of schedule, maintained the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and safety despite complex terrain and stringent optimisation criteria.

Commenting on the success Mr. Rajesh Ganesh, MD and CEO, of Bajel Projects said, “Our proficiency in EXECUTION positions us as a trusted partner for our customers as we ensure efficiency, quality and safety at every stage. With the latest technology, best-in-class practices, and a relentless pursuit of progress, we shall continue to set new benchmarks.

He added, “The two projects are part of our continuous commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainable EXECUTION in power transmission for furthering the energy sector in India.”

As India accelerates its transformation capacity, the projects aim to strengthen the power grid and its ability to support increased power flows. It plays a vital role in helping India achieve its ambitious target of adding 1,274 GVA of transformation capacity by 2032. This is in line with the National Electricity Plan (Transmission) by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Market Optimism Grows: RBI’s MPC Meeting Could Usher in a Real Estate Boom

The Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to convene on April 7, 8, and 9, 2025, to assess the current economic landscape and determine the direction of interest rates. Experts and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the meeting, as any decision regarding a potential change in the repo rate could have significant implications for borrowing costs, market liquidity, and overall economic momentum. The outcome of this review will play a crucial role in shaping financial and investment strategies across various sectors.

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., said, “The Reserve Bank of India is anticipated to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to 6%, in the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. This move is aimed at stimulating consumption and driving economic growth. A lower policy rate serves as a catalyst for increased borrowing, encouraging more individuals to invest in home purchases, thereby boosting demand in the housing market.

However, the actual impact of this rate cut will largely depend on how effectively and swiftly commercial banks transmit the RBI’s policy decision to borrowers. For the intended benefits to materialize, the transmission of the reduced rates must be both faster and smoother. Ensuring a seamless and timely pass-through of the rate cut will lead to a higher demand for retail loans, including home loans, ultimately benefiting the real estate sector and contributing positively to overall economic expansion.”

Mr. Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation, said, “In the upcoming Monetary Policy Review Meeting, the first MPC meeting of FY26, the Apex Bank is expected to further support the economy and borrowers by reducing the policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing the repo rate closer to 6%. This anticipated rate cut would not only inject more liquidity into the market but also stimulate borrowing and spending, leading to increased economic activity. The housing sector, in particular, stands to benefit significantly, as lower interest rates would further reduce home loan EMIs, making homeownership more affordable for a larger section of buyers. The expected policy rate cut is likely to sustain the strong sales momentum in the housing sector in the upcoming quarter.”

Mr. Udit Jain, director, ONE Group Developers, said, “Home loans play a pivotal role in home buying, particularly for end-users, as the majority rely on financing to purchase their dream homes. A reduction in interest rates directly impacts affordability, making homeownership more accessible and boosting demand across all segments of the housing market.

A sustained decline in interest rates is expected to act as a catalyst for the residential real estate sector in FY 2025-26. Lower home loan rates will not only reduce the overall cost of borrowing but also enhance loan eligibility, encouraging more buyers—both first-time homeowners and upgraders—to enter the market. Additionally, with increasing urbanization and strong demand for quality housing in metro and Tier II cities, favorable lending conditions will further accelerate the growth of the housing sector in the coming year.”

Mr. Sahil Agarwal, CEO, Nimbus Developers, said, “Real estate demand continues to remain robust, particularly in the high-end and luxury segments, driven by strong investor confidence and rising aspirations for premium living. The anticipated softening of home loan interest rates is expected to further fuel this momentum, making homeownership more attractive for both end-users and investors.

In the last MPC meeting, the RBI Governor indicated that macroeconomic conditions are aligning favorably, paving the way for further measures to support economic growth. A repo rate cut is one such key intervention that could significantly impact borrowing costs. Economists and market experts anticipate an additional reduction of 25 to 50 basis points in the upcoming monetary policy review, which, if implemented, will provide further stimulus to the housing market by enhancing affordability and improving loan eligibility for buyers.”

Mr. Raoul Kapoor, Co-CEO, Andromeda Sales and Distribution Pvt Ltd, said, “We anticipate further rate cuts in the upcoming RBI monetary policy review in April, given the continued decline in inflation and improved liquidity conditions. The RBI’s rate cut cycle, which began with a 25-basis point reduction in February, is expected to see another cut of approximately 50 basis points in April, with the possibility of an additional cut in the June review meeting.

Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs for consumers, thereby increasing their affordability and eligibility for loans. If the RBI proceeds with a 50-basis point rate cut in April, coupled with the previous 25-basis point cut in February, the cumulative reduction in repo rates will stand at 75 basis points (0.75%). This will have a significant impact on home loan borrowers.”

inDrive Transforms India’s Mobility Landscape with Its Unique Ride-Booking Model

India, 1 April 2025: inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has redefined mobility in India through its unique model. The company has pioneered the ‘Set your Fare and Choose your Driver’ in India, which allows passengers to decide the price, driver, and type of vehicle, irrespective of the smartphone model, battery time, and other parameters. This is unlike other ride-hailing services, where pricing is determined by AI models and algorithms. Global ride hailing giants and homegrown startups in India are now adopting inDrive’s model which is a testament to its astounding success.

The company clocked a 18% year-on-year (Y-O-Y) increase in rides across India in 2024. The company attributes its success to its unique model which ensures greater customer satisfaction compared to other models.

Pavit Nanda Anand, Communication Lead-APAC, inDrive said: “We launched inDrive in India 6 years back with the ‘Set your Fare and Choose your Driver’ model. inDrive was the first ride hailing player in the market to bring such a feature which enables people to offer their fare and choose the drivers based on driver ratings, vehicle model, pick up time and distance. The Indian consumer has shown a strong preference for this feature, which provides fare flexibility and customized ride options. It’s inspiring to see that both established RH giants and emerging Indian RH startups are recognizing the value of this unique feature and are exploring similar features to achieve their product-market fit. inDrive remains the pioneer of the fair pricing model, making it the second most downloaded app globally and the fifth most downloaded app in the travel category.”

inDrive has been the world’s second-most downloaded ride-hailing app for the third year in a row, according to leading market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. It also ranks as the fifth most downloaded app globally in the travel category. Globally, the inDrive app was downloaded over 6.1 million times in December 2024 alone.

“inDrive is built on fairness, creating an ecosystem where both passengers and drivers thrive. They decide the price and choose their ride themselves. This is the reason why our users, both passengers and drivers love us and every ride with inDrive is a happy ride.” she added.

Drape Yourself in Festive Grace: Rangriti Unveils Its Chand Mubarak Eid Collection

From dressing your best to gifting your loved ones with special eidi, Rangriti celebrates joy and happiness with its beautiful Eid collection that is a combination of unique ethnic, contemporary fusion wear, and Indo-Western styles. Celebrations become even more special and memorable with the fashionable silhouettes and voguish designs that enriches your ethnic vibe. From dazzling mix-and-match, stylish traditional, all-time classics, dresses, festive wear, and matching bottoms, Rangriti is one stop destination for all your festive shopping experiences.

The Colour of Hope

Your Eid celebrations come to a climax when you dress for the D-day in Rangriti’s Emerald Green Embroidered Anarkali Kurta Set. The lightweight Chanderi fabric and intricate embroidery flow gracefully for a flattering silhouette. Ideal for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, this set steals the show with its stunning amalgamation of traditional craftsmanship and modern flair.

The Colour of Excitement

Make your rozas brighter with our Red Tiered Color Block Kurta Set that is not just comfortable but also gives off a luxurious look. The Chanderi fabric in vibrant hues with elegant embellishments creates a sophisticated and polished aesthetic. The complementary churidaar and a printed dupatta make your celebrations even more grand and opulent.

India’s First Ghibli Ad by CashKaro Challenges ‘Bakwas Coins’ and Celebrates True Cashback Rewards

India, 31 March 2025: CashKaro, India’s leading cashback platform, has unveiled India’s first-ever Ghibli-style advertisement, delivering a playful yet hard-hitting message about the inefficacy of coin-based cashback. The animated campaign takes a cheeky dig at coin apps, emphasizing that “Coins Are All Bakwas, Real Cashback is CashKaro Ke Paas.”

In an era where many platforms lure users with virtual coins that often have complex redemption value, limited usability or expiry dates, CashKaro reinforces its promise of real cashback — directly credited as real money via UPI that users can transfer to their bank accounts. The visually stunning ad, inspired by the iconic Studio Ghibli animation style, sets a new benchmark in digital advertising with its unique storytelling approach and vibrant, hand-drawn aesthetics.

Swati Bhargava, Co-founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, said, “People are tired of earning Cashback coins that feel more like a gimmick than real savings. Today’s consumers see through marketing fluff and focus on the real value, not just flashy cashback coins that are hard to use. At CashKaro, we give users ‘Real Cashback’ — real money that can be transferred to the bank accounts and actually spent, rather than being stuck with coins and points that have restrictions. Over the years, we have returned more than ₹1,000 crore in real cashback to our users, proving that savings should be tangible and beneficial. This campaign is a fun yet powerful way to reinforce that CashKaro is the real cashback king.”

Ishan Agarwal, Director – Brand & Creative at CashKaro and EarnKaro, added, “We are always looking out for creative ways to connect with our audience, and this campaign is a perfect example of how storytelling can make an impact. The idea behind this campaign was to blend art with advertising. The Ghibli-style animation is not just visually stunning but also helps us deliver our message in a fun, engaging, and memorable way. In a market flooded with apps that offer coins with limited usability, we wanted to highlight how CashKaro stands apart by providing real cashback that users can spend. This campaign cuts through the noise, grabs attention, and helps in connecting with the audience with more lighthearted and visually striking content.”