Author: Neel Achary

Assam Simplifies Rules for Small Businesses

Guwahati, July 8: The Assam Government has introduced measures to simplify approval procedures for small non-polluting units, aiming to promote entrepreneurship and improve the ease of doing business in the state.

Under the new initiative, eligible small businesses with low environmental impact will receive relief from certain approval requirements, helping reduce delays and make the process of starting operations smoother.

The move is expected to encourage more entrepreneurs, especially small business owners and local investors, to establish new ventures in Assam. By reducing regulatory hurdles, the government aims to create a more supportive environment for small industries and strengthen economic activity across the state.

The reform will also help businesses save time and resources by simplifying compliance procedures while ensuring that environmental protection standards continue to be maintained.

Officials said the initiative is part of Assam’s broader efforts to attract investment, support small enterprises and create more employment opportunities. The government expects the measure to contribute to sustainable industrial growth and strengthen the state’s business ecosystem.

Madhavpur Set for Major Upgrade as Gujarat Advances Redevelopment Plans

Gandhinagar, July 8: Gujarat has moved ahead with the second phase of redevelopment of the historic Madhavpur pilgrimage site, with a focus on improving visitor facilities, preserving cultural heritage and promoting tourism.

The project aims to enhance infrastructure at the site by adding better amenities and creating a more comfortable experience for devotees and tourists. The redevelopment will also help showcase the historical and cultural importance of Madhavpur while supporting local tourism growth.

Officials said the initiative is part of Gujarat’s efforts to strengthen facilities at important heritage and religious destinations across the state. The upgraded site is expected to attract more visitors and provide improved services while maintaining its traditional character.

The redevelopment work reflects a balance between modern infrastructure development and the preservation of Madhavpur’s rich cultural legacy.

Edelweiss Life reports 99.31 percent Claim Settlement Ratio in FY26, marking 4 years above 99 percent

July 08: Edelweiss Life Insurance reported its highest-ever Claim Settlement Ratio of 99.31% in FY26, marking the 4^th consecutive year its ratio has remained above 99% level. The company also achieved zero claim pendency, meaning every claim received was resolved during the financial year. This reaffirms the life insurer’s commitment to standing by its customers and their families when it matters the most.

Claim Settlement Ratio measures the percentage of death claims paid against the total claims received and is among the most important indicators of an insurer’s ability to honour its commitments to policyholders.

Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Life Insurance, said, “Life insurance relies on trust because its value is realised several years after the purchase. It denotes a promise that the policyholder made to their loved ones and we consider it our utmost honour to deliver on that promise so that their aspirations remain intact. This number reflects our commitment to ensuring that genuine claims are settled with speed, care, and transparency.”

Under its Insta-Claims initiative, the life insurer settled 84% of eligible claims within 24 hours, helping beneficiaries access funds quickly and reducing uncertainty during emotionally challenging times.

The company’s claims performance is the outcome of a sustained focus on building trust at every stage of the customer journey. By combining robust risk assessment, digital innovation and a customer-first approach, Edelweiss Life continues to strengthen its ability to deliver on its promises – ensuring that when families need support the most, they can count on the company to deliver.

Doorvery Records Explosive Growth in First Quarter of 2026-27, Achieves INR 51.12 Crore ARR

New Delhi, July 8: Doorvery, an emerging B2B grocery delivery platform, today announced impressive growth milestones in the first quarter of 2026-27. The revenue growth was 30-40 percentage month on month with profitability from day one, Doorvery continues to redefine the B2B grocery procurement sector.

Key Highlights

· Achieved ₹51.12 Crore ARR in the first quarter of 2026-27.

· Recording 30-40% month-over-month growth.

· Profitable from day one of operations.

· Serving a diverse client base including retailers, wholesalers, hotels, and restaurants.

Commenting on the milestone, G. Surya Nayayan Patro, Director of Doorvery, said,

“Crossing  INR  51.12 Crore ARR within the first quarter of 2026 reflects the trust our customers have placed in us and the dedication of our team to building a sustainable business. While rapid growth is encouraging, our focus remains on creating long-term value through operational excellence, technology-led innovation, and customer-centric solutions. We believe the B2B grocery sector is entering a new phase of digital transformation, and Doorvery is well-positioned to lead this evolution by delivering smarter, faster, and more reliable procurement experiences for businesses across India.”

Study finds Europe’s real estate investors are set to increase tech spend as part of their energy efficiency drive

July 08: Almost seven in 10 (69%) of European real estate institutional investors will increase the amount they spend on technology over the next three years to improve energy efficiency across their portfolios, new research1 by re:sustain, the leading science-based technology platform which optimises the energy consumption of real estate assets reveals.  

Re:sustain’s research with 200 European real estate institutional asset managers in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Italy, with a combined AUM of €296 billion, finds improving technology is the most effective way to improve energy efficiency.

When asked the main advantages of technology when it comes to improving energy efficiency of buildings, 73% of respondents say it delivers faster results – and 55% say it is cheaper – than upgrading or retrofitting.

Almost two thirds (61%) highlight the lower levels of disruption from using tech to improve energy efficiency versus retrofitting, while 50% say it is easier to secure tenant buy in compared to upgrading a property. Almost half (46%) of real estate managers say technology helps to protect their assets’ value, while 17% point to the ability to use technology across old and new buildings.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents say investing in technology which can optimise a building’s systems to reduce energy usage remotely will be the most impactful in managing energy consumption, followed by 60% who cite investment in a new building management system. This compares to 54% who say investment in new systems such as HVAC and lighting is the most effective way to reduce energy consumption, and 14% who believe improving the behaviours of occupants is the most beneficial.

Nearly nine out of ten (89%) real estate asset managers say the use of technology is important to enhancing energy consumption strategies across their portfolios. One fifth (20%) are neutral and 2% say technology is not important at all.

However, the research reveals the use of technology is not widespread across investors’ portfolios.

While 51% of respondents say they use technology in new buildings, only 18% say they do so in older properties. Further, just 3% of those surveyed say technology is in use across all buildings in their portfolios, with 21% using it in offices only.

Real estate managers use technology for multiple purposes across their portfolios, with 69% employing it to manage buildings remotely. Just under two-thirds (64%) of respondents say technology is beneficial for monitoring energy consumption while 30% use systems to model and understand where and how improvements can be made.

Katie Whipp, Chief Business Officer at re:sustain, said: “Real estate managers are under pressure from all sides to manage their energy consumption. Regulation is tightening across Europe and at the same time, tenants are demanding sustainable and energy efficient buildings to meet their own ESG commitments.

“Bringing properties into line with the green transition on budget and on time, can be a daunting prospect, especially for those managers facing major retrofits or upgrades. Our research shows that asset managers recognise the importance in using technology has evolved considerably to understand their buildings and make positive changes without unnecessary capital expenditure. But the use of tech is far from universal. It is essential that the sector utilises technology to reduce energy consumption, manage costs and ensure a smooth journey to Net Zero.”

re:sustain was founded in 2021 by scientists who recognised that while data was being collected about real estate energy consumption, it wasn’t improving usage. To solve this problem, the re:sustain team developed innovative technology which uses collected building management system data (BMS) to create a highly calibrated digital twin of each building – an accurate model that reflects real asset performance. This dynamic thermal model allows for precise simulations and analyses, eliminating guesswork and enabling targeted interventions.

The proprietary re:sustain engine processes the digital twin data and the BMS data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, whilst calculating potential carbon savings. This remote approach allows for targeted optimisations and detailed mechanical insights on existing systems, reducing energy use, carbon emissions, and operational costs in support of sustainability goals—all without requiring Capex from asset owners or business interruption for occupiers.

To date, buildings using re:sustain technology have enjoyed 37% average annual energy savings in a process that takes just four to six weeks to implement.

Goodbye to Manual Sewer entry, welcome to AI-Powered Sewer Governance

Hyderabad, July 8: In a landmark step towards safer cities, smarter governance and the elimination of hazardous sewer work, Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company The Bot Factory will launch Project SHUDH, India’s first AI–powered Sewer Governance Fleet, on July 11, 2026, at T-Works, Hyderabad.

Developed as part of a disaster-management robotics initiative, Project SHUDH represents a significant shift from sewer cleaning to sewer governance.

Sri D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, as Chief Guest will formally launch the most coveted solution in the presence  Sri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Hyderabad Metropolitan Area & Sports, Government of Telangana, as Guest of Honour; and Sri Sanjay Jaju, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, as Special Guest.

Unlike most sewer-cleaning technologies that focus solely on mechanization, Project SHUDH is designed as a complete governance platform where every sewer intervention can be digitally tracked, recorded, analysed and monitored. The larger objective is to help cities move towards zero manual sewer entry while enabling smarter management of underground infrastructure.

A Hyderabad Innovation with a National Mission

The Bot Factory is a Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company focused on developing intelligent robotic systems for public safety, disaster management, environmental protection and urban infrastructure.

The company has gained attention for Project SHUDH, an AI–powered robotic platform aimed at eliminating the need for human entry into sewers and manholes.

Its mission is to create autonomous robotic systems capable of performing dangerous and hazardous tasks traditionally carried out by humans, thereby improving safety, efficiency and accountability.

From Sewer Cleaning to Sewer Governance

While conventional technologies largely focus on mechanized cleaning, Project SHUDH introduces a comprehensive governance framework for underground assets.

The platform combines: Autonomous sewer-cleaning robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), GIS and satellite-based monitoring, Predictive analytics for blockage detection and Real-time governance dashboards for civic authorities

The objective is not merely sewer cleaning but the creation of a digital, auditable and data-driven management system for underground infrastructure.

Every intervention generates actionable data, transforming underground maintenance from a reactive activity into a transparent and accountable governance process.

A Technological Solution to a Human Challenge

Despite advances in mechanization, sewer workers across India continue to face significant occupational risks.

Project SHUDH seeks to eliminate the need for human entry into hazardous sewer environments by deploying intelligent robotic systems capable of cleaning, inspection and data collection.

The initiative aligns closely with national priorities relating to worker safety, Smart Cities, digital governance and technology-led public service delivery.

Proven in the Field

Project SHUDH has already been demonstrated in Hyderabad in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB).

The system is capable of operating in both vertical manholes and horizontal sewer pipelines while generating real-time operational data and digital maps of underground drainage networks.

These capabilities enable authorities to monitor infrastructure health, identify recurring problem areas and make informed maintenance decisions.

What sets Project SHUDH apart is its vision of creating an intelligence layer beneath cities. By combining robotics, AI, predictive analytics and geospatial technologies, the platform transforms underground infrastructure into a measurable, monitorable and governable public asset.

The long-term goal is to help cities achieve zero manual sewer entry, improve worker safety, reduce operational costs and establish a modern governance framework for underground infrastructure.

Addressing a National Challenge

India’s sewer and septic infrastructure remain significantly under-mechanized and under-digitized. In most cities, sewer maintenance is carried out through a combination of jetting machines, suction equipment, desilting vehicles and manual intervention. When mechanical methods fail to resolve blockages, workers are often required to enter manholes and sewer networks, exposing them to hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

This underlines the urgent need for technology-driven solutions such as robotic and AI–powered sewer management systems.

India has an estimated 800,000 sanitation and sewer-cleaning workers involved in sewer, septic tank and drain maintenance activities.

Thousands continue to be engaged in hazardous cleaning work despite legal prohibitions.

According to data presented in Parliament, 377 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks were reported between 2019 and 2023.

Enormous Market Potential

The potential market for Project SHUDH is substantial. India has: More than 4,500 statutory towns, Hundreds of municipal corporations and municipalities, Smart Cities, Water and sewerage boards, Industrial townships and Cantonment boards

The domestic requirement could eventually run into thousands of robotic units. If every manhole inspection, blockage, cleaning operation and repair is digitally recorded, municipalities gain: Greater accountability, Complete audit trails, Performance monitoring, Contractor oversight, Predictive maintenance capabilities, Improved budget planning

India’s underground infrastructure remains one of the least digitized public assets. If Project SHUDH succeeds in integrating robotics, AI and governance into a unified platform, it could create an entirely new category of urban technology serving thousands of municipalities and utility agencies across the country.