writingonblog uncensored: Chennai MRTS Handover to Metro likely to be Formal...

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai MRTS Handover to Metro likely to be Formal...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Chennai’s long-discussed plan to integrate its Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the city’s Metro network is lik...

Chennai MRTS Handover to Metro likely to be Formalised by December 2025

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

Chennai’s long-discussed plan to integrate its Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with the city’s Metro network is likely  to advance in December 2025, when the Tamil Nadu government and Southern Railway are expected to sign a transfer agreement clearing the way for Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to take over the system.

The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority's (CUMTA) second authority meeting headed by Chief Minister M K Stalin has approved the memorandum of understanding (MoU) a procedural but critical step before the December signing that would bring Chennai closer to its goal of a unified, high-capacity public transport system.

The agreement now allows the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to formally transfer control of the elevated suburban line to CMRL for operations, maintenance and management, with the full transition scheduled for completion by December 2027.

"In the next two days, we will be having a meeting with the Railway officials where the MoU will be discussed. After getting the  nod, a government order will be passed after which the MoU will be finalised," said I Jayakumar, the special officer of Cumta.

The deal follows months of negotiation between the state and the Railways. A joint committee, comprising senior officials from Tamil Nadu’s finance and urban development departments, CMRL, and Southern Railway, resolved key issues including asset transfer, staff redeployment, financial liabilities and long-term maintenance obligations. These principles were submitted to the Railway Board in February 2024, with CUMTA and Southern Railway providing detailed responses to subsequent queries.

Political momentum has also played a role. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin raised the handover directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NITI Aayog meeting in May 2025, after which the Prime Minister’s Office directed the Railway Board to fast-track the process. In July 2025, the Additional Chief Secretary for Housing and Urban Development met the Railway Minister and the Railway Board Chairman, pressing for expeditious approval. By the end of July, the Railway Board issued its in-principle nod for the transfer, including endorsement of the “broad framework and principles” for the MoU will be finalised

The MRTS, an elevated rail corridor connecting Chennai Beach to Velachery and soon to St. Thomas Mount, was built in phases under a 67:33 cost-sharing model between the state and Union governments. Despite being designed for 650,000 daily passengers, it currently carries only about 84,000, with experts blaming poor station access, limited feeder connectivity and lack of integration with other modes.

Transport planners say the takeover is expected to boost ridership through integrated ticketing, upgraded stations and coordinated timetables. “This will finally allow MRTS to function as part of a seamless multimodal network rather than a standalone suburban line,”sources said.

Factfile:
1. Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), chaired by the Chief Minister, approved the MoU
2. Tamil Nadu government and Southern Railway expected to sign transfer agreement by December 2025..
3. CMDA authorised to formally transfer control of the MRTS to CMRL.
4. Meeting with Railway officials planned in next two days; government order to follow before MoU finalisation.

writingonblog uncensored: Corteva Launches New Fungicide to Help Grape and P...

writingonblog uncensored: Corteva Launches New Fungicide to Help Grape and P...: Chennai: Global agriculture company Corteva Agriscience has introduced Zorvec Entecta®, a new fungicide designed to help grape and potato fa...

Corteva Launches New Fungicide to Help Grape and Potato Farmers Fight Crop Diseases

Chennai:

Global agriculture company Corteva Agriscience has introduced Zorvec Entecta®, a new fungicide designed to help grape and potato farmers protect their crops from two major diseases – Downy Mildew in grapes and Late Blight in potatoes – that can cause huge losses if not controlled.

The company says Zorvec Entecta® works for a longer time than most other fungicides and protects even new leaves as they grow. It can resist being washed away by rain just 20 minutes after spraying, which gives farmers peace of mind during unpredictable weather.

The product uses two active ingredients that attack the disease in different ways, making it harder for the disease to develop resistance. Corteva’s field trials showed that the product gives strong protection even when disease pressure is very high.

For grape growers, this means healthier vines and better bunch development. For potato farmers, it means cleaner fields and a stronger start to their disease control programme – something crucial during the early growth stage when crops are most vulnerable.

Corteva recommends using Zorvec Entecta® in rotation with its other product, Curzate® M8, as part of a full-season disease management plan. This approach helps protect crops through all growth stages and leads to higher, better-quality yields.

The product is already proven in other countries, and Corteva will roll it out across different regions in India in the coming months.

What These Crop Diseases Do

Downy Mildew (Grapes): A fast-spreading fungus-like disease that attacks leaves and fruit, turning them yellow and causing them to drop early. Left unchecked, it can destroy entire vineyards.

Late Blight (Potatoes): The same disease that caused the Irish potato famine. It spreads quickly in wet weather, causing dark spots on leaves and rotting tubers in the soil, leading to huge yield losses.

Stalin Leads Groundbreaking for ₹450 Crore Delta Electronics Expansion in Krishnagiri

CHENNAI:

Delta Electronics India has broken ground on a major expansion of its Krishnagiri manufacturing campus in Tamil Nadu, reinforcing its commitment to making India a key hub for power management and industrial automation solutions.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who attended Thursday’s ceremony, hailed the ₹450 crore investment as a boost to the state’s bid to cement its status as India’s electronics manufacturing capital. “I wholeheartedly appreciate Delta Electronics' contribution to the industrial development of the Hosur region,” he said, describing the new automated production line as “a significant step” that would strengthen Tamil Nadu’s growth trajectory.

Spread over 95 acres and employing more than 3,800 people, the Krishnagiri campus currently houses four large-scale factories producing high-efficiency power supplies, DC brushless fans, telecom power systems, automation solutions, data centre infrastructure and electric mobility systems. Two additional factory buildings are planned to expand capacity for both domestic and export markets.

At the heart of the expansion is a smart manufacturing line built on Delta’s own automation technology — including 6-axis robots, servo motion systems and programmable logic controllers — enabling automated line changeovers, real-time equipment management and data-driven production decisions. The company says the system has already delivered productivity gains of up to 95% in power supply manufacturing for home appliance applications.

Jimmy Yiin, Delta’s Executive Vice President of Global Business Operations, called the project a “landmark milestone” in the company’s support for the government’s Make in India initiative. Benjamin Lin, President of Delta Electronics India, said the expansion reflects Delta’s ambition to turn Krishnagiri into a model for innovation, talent development and sustainable manufacturing.

Sustainability remains central to the plan. The site currently sources 53% of its energy from renewables — including a 6.9MWp rooftop solar system and wind power — and operates a 1,800 kilolitre-per-day water treatment plant, rainwater harvesting facilities and CPCB-certified waste management systems.

Delta said the investment would position Krishnagiri as a global benchmark for smart manufacturing and strengthen its role in India’s fast-growing electronics supply chain.

24,300-Crore Investment Wave to Transform Hosur, Create 49,000 Jobs

CHENNAI:

Stalin Showcases Hosur as Next Growth Pole with ₹24,307 cr MoUs

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ CHENNAI:

Hosur is set for a major industrial leap with fresh investments worth ₹24,307 crore that will generate 49,353 jobs, positioning it as Tamil Nadu’s next big growth engine.

Speaking at the second edition of the TN Rising Summit on Thursday, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the announcements proof that Tamil Nadu has become India’s most trusted investment destination. “Hosur is where tradition meets innovation. It has become a city that attracts global attention. We want Hosur to be a critical part of Tamil Nadu’s growth story,” he said, adding that 77% of MoUs signed since his government took office have already been converted into on-ground projects.

A total of 92 MoUs were signed — 53 under the Industries Department worth ₹23,303 crore and 39 under the MSME Department worth over ₹1,000 crore — spanning sectors from green energy and aerospace to footwear, auto components and healthcare. The deals cement Hosur’s position as a key beneficiary of Bengaluru’s manufacturing spillover and strengthen its claim as the state’s next major growth pole.

Among the marquee projects, Zetwerk will invest ₹5,000 crore in a solar cell manufacturing facility, creating 3,000 jobs. Aspire Footwear, part of the Arvind Group, is setting up a ₹350-crore non-leather footwear plant in Katpadi with 6,000 jobs. DCX Systems, with Israel’s IAI-ELTA Systems, will invest ₹850 crore in Krishnagiri to make advanced radar and electronic warfare systems for the armed forces, while International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt Ltd is expanding its Hosur SEZ facility with a ₹200-crore outlay for precision aerospace equipment.

Stalin also inaugurated three completed projects worth ₹250 crore, including a Kaynes Circuits electronics plant in Pochampalli and a Gokaldas Exports footwear unit in Ambur, which together create 1,100 jobs. Four new projects with a combined investment of ₹1,210 crore were launched, including a 500-bed Kauvery Hospital in Hosur and RICO’s EV component facility in Shoolagiri, adding 7,900 jobs. He also opened SIPCOT’s 300-acre Future Mobility Park, which has allotted land to 22 companies and is expected to attract ₹2,728 crore in investments and 6,682 jobs, further strengthening Hosur’s reputation as India’s e-scooter and EV hub.

Tamil Nadu is also building worker housing in partnership with Tata Electronics and TIDCO for 6,000 employees, developing a knowledge corridor to attract GCCs, IT firms and research centres, and pushing ahead with plans for an international airport at Hosur. Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa said the diversity of investments reflected the state’s strong fundamentals. “Hosur is fast becoming one of India’s most sought-after industrial destinations, and today’s MoUs will accelerate that trajectory,” he said.

ideaForge Drone Wins NATO Approval, Paving Way for Global Defence Sales

CHENNAI:

India’s ideaForge Technology has scored a major breakthrough in defence exports with its Q6 V2 tactical drone receiving a NATO Stock Number (NSN), a globally recognised code that allows seamless procurement by NATO member nations and allies.

The NSN is a 13-digit identifier used by 68 countries to source, maintain, and track military equipment. The approval means the Q6 V2 meets international standards for quality, interoperability, and mission readiness — making it easier for global forces to buy and deploy it.

“This is more than just technical validation — it is a strategic gateway for global interoperability,” said Vipul Joshi, CFO of ideaForge. “It shows India can deliver export-grade defence technology and strengthens our role in allied missions worldwide.”

The Q6 V2 is a lightweight, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone designed for surveillance and reconnaissance. It can be deployed in under 10 minutes, fly for up to an hour, carry nearly 6 kg of payload, and operate day or night within a 5 km range. Already in use by the Indian armed forces, police, and disaster management teams, it has been tested in high-altitude areas and during floods.

The achievement follows a similar recognition for ideaForge’s SWITCH UAV, underlining the company’s emergence as a full-stack drone manufacturer with global ambitions. The firm plans to work with international defence suppliers to expand the reach of its drones while continuing to invest in R&D to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, a release stated.

writingonblog uncensored: Rolls Royce signals major expansion in TN; Plans t...

writingonblog uncensored: Rolls Royce signals major expansion in TN; Plans t...: CHENNAI: Engineering giant Rolls-Royce has signalled a major expansion of its presence in southern India, as Tamil Nadu secured a series of ...

Rolls Royce signals major expansion in TN; Plans to set up MRO facility

CHENNAI:

Engineering giant Rolls-Royce has signalled a major expansion of its presence in southern India, as Tamil Nadu secured a series of high-profile investment commitments from UK-based firms across aerospace, clean energy, maritime intelligence and textile technology.

The announcement came during the UK leg of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s European investment tour, which aims to reposition the state as a global hub for innovation-led manufacturing and services. The trip marks one of the first proactive state-level campaigns to leverage opportunities under the proposed India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s foremost aerospace and defence technology companies, said it intends to scale up operations in the state with plans for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, a research and development centre, and a training institute. It will also expand its existing joint venture, International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt Ltd (IAMPL), in Hosur.

Tamil Nadu, which hosts one of India’s two Defence Industrial Corridors, has in recent years positioned itself as a nucleus for precision engineering and high-value manufacturing. The agreement with Rolls-Royce is seen as a key validation of its strategy to become a key node in global aerospace supply chains.

Further investment came from Wilson Power & Distribution Technologies, which announced a ₹300 crore (£28m) project to build a new electric transformer manufacturing facility in the state. With nearly 90% of its output destined for renewable energy applications, the project will support Tamil Nadu’s efforts to become a national leader in clean-tech manufacturing. The facility is expected to generate 543 new jobs.

In the maritime sector, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a leading provider of vessel tracking, maritime risk analytics and insurance data, signed an MoU to expand its Global Capability Centre in Chennai, creating 200 jobs by FY2026. The firm’s flagship platform, Seasearcher, provides real-time visibility into global shipping movements, port infrastructure, and ownership structures — tools that align well with Tamil Nadu’s ambitions in port-led development and its Blue Economy strategy.

Textiles, a mainstay of Tamil Nadu’s export economy, also featured prominently. UK-based Britannia Garment Packaging — through its Indian subsidiary Britannia RFID Technologies — will invest ₹520 crore to set up a high-capacity RFID tag manufacturing unit in Tiruppur and Namakkal, creating 550 jobs. The project will support supply chain digitisation and traceability in the garment sector, where global buyers increasingly demand real-time logistics visibility and ethical sourcing data.

The state also inked agreements in education and design. French-origin creative institute École Intuit Lab will partner with Sakthi Excellence Academy to launch a new design-focused higher education institution in Coimbatore, aimed at nurturing creative professionals across branding, media and innovation sectors.

Separately, the University of Exeter signed a partnership with Tamil Nadu to promote joint research, faculty exchanges, and collaborative academic programmes in priority disciplines — an initiative that reflects the state’s growing interest in knowledge-based economic development.

Emirates marks 25 years of operations in Chennai

CHENNAI

Emirates has completed 25 years of operations in Chennai, underscoring the growing importance of South India in its global network.

Since its inaugural flight on September 1, 2000, the Dubai-based carrier has transported more than 10.7m passengers on 38,000 flights between Chennai and Dubai, making the route a cornerstone of its South Asia portfolio.

The anniversary was marked on Monday with a water cannon salute for flight EK544 at Chennai International Airport. On Saturday, Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin, his wife Durga Stalin and deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin joined an event to commemorate the occasion. The chief minister later left for Germany.

“Chennai remains one of our cornerstone markets in India,” said Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ vice-president for India and Nepal. “We are delighted to celebrate 25 years of connecting the city to our global network. The support of authorities and stakeholders has been invaluable to our success.”

Emirates has played a central role in expanding Chennai’s international reach, connecting both corporate and leisure passengers to destinations across six continents. The airline sees strong outbound demand for US cities such as San Francisco, New York and Dallas, alongside European hubs including London, Paris and Frankfurt, a release stated.

Emirates currently serves nine Indian cities, with South India expected to drive an increasing share of growth in the years ahead. Beyond passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo has been instrumental in linking Chennai’s farmers, manufacturers and small businesses with global markets. It continues to move high-value and time-sensitive commodities ranging from perishables to electronics and engineering goods. In the last financial year, Emirates SkyCargo uplifted 19,300 tonnes of cargo from Chennai, including fresh produce, pharmaceuticals and general cargo — supporting local exporters with access to global trade.

Stalin attacks Modi over impact of US tariffs on exporters

CHENNAI:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to shield Indian exporters from punitive US tariffs, warning that the measures are hitting Tiruppur, the country’s largest knitwear cluster and a key source of employment for migrant workers.

The US administration last month raised duties on Indian garments to 50 per cent, a move that has sparked alarm among exporters in Tiruppur, often dubbed “Dollar City” for its foreign exchange earnings. The hike came despite New Delhi’s deepening strategic partnership with Washington.

Stalin used social media to contrast the plight of Tamil Nadu’s apparel exporters with the gains enjoyed by oil refineries in Gujarat, which have benefited from discounted Russian crude.

“While oil refineries in Gujarat benefit from cheaper Russian crude, how is it fair that you allow our exporters, who generate thousands of jobs, to struggle?” he wrote.

He urged Modi to press US for a resolution, pointing to measures already outlined in a letter to the prime minister and demanding immediate relief for the sector. “Hold talks with the United States, find a solution, and do justice to your title of Vishwa Guru,” he said.