Maintaining Cardiovascular Health in Winter by Dr. Joy Saibal Shome

By: Dr Joy Saibal Shome, Consultant Intervention Cardiologist at BM Birla Heart Hospital.

Many might rejoice the decline in temperature, as it means a return to the comfort and snugness of the winter months. However, these cold months pose a serious risk for the heart health and for any individual with pre-existing heart disease, special attention must be paid to heart care. While various factors put extra strain on the cardiovascular system during winter, some studies reveal that the winter months see almost 53 per cent more potentially serious heart conditions like heart attacks and strokes than the summer months.

Winter poses unique challenges to heart health, with colder temperatures causing blood vessels to constrict and increasing the workload on the heart. Winter is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events due to the increase in stress that a drop in ambient temperature puts on heart walls and the decrease in flow to the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Moreover, during the winter, people tend to do less physical activity, which can lead to weight gain and a consequent increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exposure to extreme cold may even result in hypothermia in which body temperature drops to dangerously low levels, thus complicating cardiovascular health even further.

The increased workload on the heart coupled with lack of physical activities and the consumption of heavier foods put people most at risk for cardiovascular events during the cold months. Protecting the heart from heart diseases during winter months requires an active approach. Primarily during winter, people should dress warm to avoid sudden exposure to cold, which can elevate blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. People should also maintain a balanced diet rich in seasonal vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats while limiting processed and high-fat comfort foods.

Navigating the cold months with a healthy heart require people to stay active and engage in physical activities. With the limitation on outdoor activities, simple indoor workouts such as a home workout or yoga or just walking indoors can facilitate proper blood flow and reduce the level of stress on heart. Hydration and sleep, in turn, are equally significant to the maintenance of a healthy heart. During the winter, the body tends to easily get dehydrated, blood thickens, and the chance of clots increases. So, it is always advised that people should drink enough water even if not thirsty to maintain hydration and not put much pressure on the heart.

For those in high-risk groups — such as individuals with health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or a history of heart disease — regular health checkups and adherence to prescribed medications are vital. Through regular consultations with the doctor, potential health issues can be diagnosed early and people can get timely advice to stay healthy throughout the cold season.

Stress can be another major factor in heart problems during the winter. People should limit stress and set aside time to relax and unwind through simple daily activities like meditating, listening to music or taking a hot shower. It is also noteworthy that the winter is the time for people to stay safe from common illnesses like fever or common flu. Vaccinations like the flu and pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent winter-related infections, which can indirectly strain the heart.

Keeping the heart safeguarded from the cold can make winter a beautiful time of the year for every individual. Not only individuals with pre-existing heart conditions but those prioritizing heart health should also have an understanding on the impact of cold weather on the heart health. By taking certain proactive measures, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of winter-related heart complications and maintain optimal cardiovascular health.

HCLTech & Microsoft Partner with Cricket Australia to Transform Fan Experience

SYDNEY and NOIDA, India, Jan 31, 2025 — Leading global technology companies, HCLTech and Microsoft, have partnered with Cricket Australia (CA) to leverage generative AI (GenAI) to enhance the way fans experience live matches via the Cricket Australia Live app.

The app’s new AI Insights matchday companion feature provides fans with a regular feed of text-based updates as matches progress. The feature uses AI rooted in a deep understanding of cricket to identify key narratives, player performances and notable milestones that go beyond the live scores and commentary, giving new context and insight to what is happening on the field.

The AI Insights matchday companion launches today at the Day-Night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the CommBank Women’s Ashes series between Australia and England. This innovative feature is now accessible to all users of the Cricket Australia Live App worldwide.

“By harnessing the power of GenAI, we have the ability to reimagine the way fans engage with sport,” said Sonia Eland, Executive Vice President and Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand, HCLTech. “HCLTech has partnered with Cricket Australia for several years through our long-term role as the sport’s Official Digital Technology Partner, but our collaboration with Microsoft will further enhance the digital experience. Ultimately, our goal is to bring cricket fans even closer to the action.”

Cricket Australia has leveraged Microsoft’s Azure Open AI Service as well as HCLTech’s front-end and API development support to create a more accessible match day AI companion for cricket fans.

“We’re excited to bring cutting-edge AI technology to cricket fans through our partnership with Cricket Australia and HCLTech,” said Sarah Carney, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. “This innovation demonstrates how generative AI is transforming the way we interact with the world around us, bringing insight, meaning and personalisation to audiences old and new.”

HCLTech and Cricket Australia began working together in 2019 to transform the organization’s core API platforms. In 2023, they extended the partnership for another five years, with HCLTech continuing its role as the CA’s Official Digital Technology Partner. The multi-year partnership has included initiatives like TechJam, a crowdsourcing effort to develop innovative tech solutions for the sport, as well as HCLTech’s role in making Cricket Australia Live the number one sporting app in Australia.

“We are very excited to partner with both HCLTech and Microsoft to create brilliant experiences for our fans by enhancing the CA Live app,” said Nick Hockley, CEO, Cricket Australia. “Our aspiration is to be a world leader in the way sporting codes bring fans closer to the game through digital technologies and we’re thrilled to launch this latest innovation at the CommBank Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test.”

SILA Pioneers a Movement to Change How India Sees Cleanliness Workers

Mumbai, 31 January 2025: SILA, a leading player in facility management and real estate services, has teamed up with Schbang to launch a ground-breaking campaign that challenges societal perceptions of housekeepers. This initiative encourages audiences to reflect on their behaviours and biases, driving home the importance of treating housekeeping staff with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Despite the societal acknowledgment of housekeepers’ contributions, genuine respect often remains superficial. SILA and Schbang’s campaign seeks to disrupt this cycle by illuminating everyday hypocrisies and encouraging people to align their actions with their words.

The key component of this effort is a thought-provoking film ‘Sachh Hi Swachh Hai’ put together by Schbang. The narrative centers on a professional who, while fervently advocating for cleanliness workers in a work conference, unintentionally exposes his own prejudices at home. He is forced to consider his behaviour after having this epiphany, which results in the moving message:

“Swachh Banane Se Pehle Hume Sach Banna Hoga.”

The film emphasizes SILA’s continued commitment to transforming lives, as the company has already trained and employed over 27,000 Facility Management professionals in 125 cities across India.

2025 Budget Expectations Insights from Industry Experts

Dr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President of the Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society

“We are immensely thankful to Govt of India & especially Hon’ble Finance Minister for great work done for Sickle Cell disease in the previous budgets, wherein allocations have been made for its eradication by 2047, but unfortunately, the bigger evil the most lethal and dreaded disease “Thalassemia”, which is also a genetic blood disorder like sickle cell anemia fails to find any mention in the previous budgets, which is a very grave blunder, which needs to be rectified with immediate effect in the coming budget.

Both, Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia are same type of disease with a little difference, thalassemia is much more severe and the methodology for eradicating them are the same and in both cases, patients survive by periodic blood transfusion for a life time, which is horror in itself and both of them can be eradicated and nations have eradicated them, by simple HbA2 blood test, which needs to be made mandatory by the Government. Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassemia are two sides of same coin, both of them are to be taken together for eradication efforts, kindly rectify the error.”

“We are very much positive towards the upcoming Budget as the govt has been considerate with its allocations for conditions such as sickle cell anaemia and unfortunately thalassemia has been left out in the previous budgets. The most noteworthy one was the allocation of significant budget towards tackling sicklecell anemia, aiming to eliminate it by 2047, with a focus on universal screening, counseling, and comprehensive management programs. However there is a greater need for Budget 2025-26 to broaden its scope. As we approach the upcoming Union Budget 2025-2026, Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society urges Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance – Govt of India to prioritize advancements in medical diagnostics, particularly for genetic blood disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell. We expect targeted investments in affordable, accessible diagnostic services, as well as enhanced funding for research and healthcare infrastructure. The need for early detection, specialized care, and patient-centered solutions has never been more pressing. We hope the budget reflects a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions at large.

Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director, Netafim India

The Union Budget 2025 presents a pivotal opportunity to reshape India’s agriculture sector by prioritizing innovation, sustainability, and efficiency. Focused investments in infrastructure, water efficiency, and technological innovation, combined with supportive policies, can unlock significant growth potential for farmers. These measures will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also drive broader economic progress, contributing to a more resilient agricultural future for India.

Granting infrastructure status to the micro-irrigation industry will help the sector and allied industries to flourish, which is predominantly made up of MSMEs, accounting for 95% of the overall Agri sector. It can substantially reduce operational costs, lower equipment prices, and drive expansion. Integrating renewable energy, such as solar installations, with micro-irrigation systems can further enhance energy efficiency, cut costs, and boost profitability for farmers.

India’s agricultural R&D investment is currently below 1% of its Agri-GDP. This needs urgent redressal. Allocating more funds to the Agri Innovation Fund would stimulate Agri-tech startups, foster digital solutions, and promote the adoption of smart farming, precision agriculture, and cutting-edge irrigation technologies.

Additionally, targeted schemes like Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) aim to tackle pressing issues in irrigation, mechanization, and agricultural infrastructure. After being subsumed under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in the 2022-23 budget, the PDMC has become a flagship program. With subsidies ranging from 45% to 55% for micro-irrigation systems, and several states offering top-up subsidies, this scheme holds immense promise. Yet, to unlock its full potential, it must remain a centralized and standalone initiative. Centralizing PDMC ensures uniformity in implementation, offering clear guidelines and reducing the inconsistencies caused by state-level variations in subsidy distribution. This oversight will allow for strategic prioritization of regions facing severe water scarcity, which is crucial to combating India’s growing water crisis.

Moreover, there is vast untapped potential to improve water efficiency, especially in oilseed cultivation. Despite oilseeds occupying only 13% of cropped area, they contribute a mere 6% in value terms. Adopting drip irrigation and other high-efficiency methods could conserve up to 60% of water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance productivity. Expanding micro irrigation into canal command areas and incentivizing crop diversification into oilseeds, oil palm, and millets would not only increase climate resilience but also bolster farmer incomes.

With ever depleting Ground water table, we need to have a push for adoption of Drip in water guzzling crops like Rice, wheat, and sugarcane. When we export sugar or Basmati rice, we are exporting water which is very scarce resource. Also, in crops like rice, we can reduce the release our GHGs by adoption of Drip Irrigation.

Mr. Rajesh Sharma, MD Capri Global Capital Ltd.

“As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, the NBFC sector looks forward to policy measures that will bolster its pivotal role in India’s economic growth. NBFCs play a crucial role in extending credit to underserved segments such as MSMEs, Housing, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy, contributing significantly to inclusive development. Establishment of a dedicated liquidity facility through the Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), aimed at ensuring affordable credit flow to priority sectors would be beneficial. This initiative would support small and mid-sized NBFCs by providing competitive-rate funds, reducing dependency on high-cost borrowing. Empowered with steady capital, NBFCs can effectively meet the credit needs of sectors crucial for job creation, rural development, and sustainable economic growth.

Anticipated reforms like reducing the SARFAESI Act’s loan threshold to ₹1 lakh, could expedite asset resolution and bolster financial resilience. Additionally, a proposed market-making mechanism could streamline funding access, enhancing the ability to serve priority sectors effectively. Such reforms if implemented, would further help NBFCs to contribute significantly to India’s economic aspirations, ensuring inclusive and sustainable progress.”

Mr. Jasdeep Singh, Group CEO, CARE Hospitals

“The Union Budget 2025-26 is a key opportunity to strengthen India’s healthcare system by making it more affordable, accessible, and innovative. At CARE Hospitals, we hope to see a higher allocation for public healthcare spending to close gaps in infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas. Expanding Ayushman Bharat to cover outpatient care and diagnostics, along with promoting preventive health programs, can help address the growing challenges of both communicable and non-communicable diseases while ensuring quality healthcare for everyone.

Cancer is a major health concern in our country, putting a heavy financial and emotional strain on people. To make cancer care more affordable, reducing customs duties and GST on essential equipment like LINACs would improve access to advanced treatment in underserved areas. It’s also important to revise reimbursement rates under government schemes like CGHS, PMJAY, and ECHS by linking them to inflation, as many rates have stayed the same for nearly a decade.

To position India as a global healthcare hub, creating a dedicated fund to promote high-quality healthcare and medical tourism is essential. Such measures can not only enhance our healthcare system but also boost India’s stature globally. The government should also prioritize funding research and development in the MedTech sector, incentivizing innovation, and transitioning to quality-linked procurement standards for value-based care.

Encouraging digital health solutions, medical research, and public-private partnerships can help India stay ahead in healthcare innovation. Providing tax benefits and supportive policies for healthcare providers will also be crucial in meeting new health challenges. At CARE Hospitals, we are committed to patient-focused care and hope this budget will empower healthcare providers to reduce gaps, improve outcomes, and make healthcare a key driver of national growth.”

Dr Rohan Dutta, Associate Professor, Anant School For Climate Action

“As India strives to achieve its climate action goals and transition towards a sustainable future, the Union Budget 2025 presents a pivotal opportunity to prioritise climate education in alignment with the visions of the National Education Policy 2020, and the National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. I expect increased budgetary allocations to incorporate climate literacy at all levels of education, from primary schools to higher institutions. This must include curriculum redesigns focused on sustainability, renewable energy, conservation, and practical skill-building programs for green jobs. Investments in teacher training and digital resources can enhance the reach and effectiveness of climate education, especially in rural and underserved areas. Collaboration with industries and research institutions can foster innovation hubs within educational institutions, promoting climate solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges.

Climate change is no longer abstract – it directly affects livelihoods, health, and economies. Therefore, empowering the next generation with knowledge and solutions is an investment in long-term resilience. The 2025 Union Budget must demonstrate a commitment to making climate education a cornerstone of national development, aligning with global best practices and India’s ambitious sustainability commitments. Only with informed citizens can India truly lead in creating a sustainable and climate-resilient world.”

Shoppin Lands Dollar 1Million to Revolutionize Fashion Discovery with AI

New Delhi, January 31, 2025: shoppin’, a new-age fashion search engine powered by AI, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from Info Edge Ventures. The platform is on a mission to make fashion discovery seamless, personalized, and accessible for all, enabling users to discover apparel products using prompts, vibes, product descriptions and images, putting consumer needs at the heart of its operations.

In an era where online shopping can feel overwhelming and 80% consumers find poor fashion search as a barrier to purchase, shoppin’ stands out by simplifying the process of helping users find their perfect style. The platform has already built an impressive base of over 35,000 Instagram followers and 20,000+ waitlist sign-ups, all in 3 weeks —achieved at 0 marketing spend—highlighting the need for the problem they’re solving and shoppin’s growing popularity among fashion enthusiasts.

The newly acquired funding will be allocated towards three key areas: hiring top talent, enhancing proprietary technology, and fostering growth. A large majority of the funds will be deployed towards building a team of AI engineers, developing, fine-tuning and scaling its advanced AI models, incl. their custom built SLMs and embeddings model, tailored specifically for fashion.

“If OpenAI’s multi-modal and NLP search prowess, Google’s indexing algorithm, and Pinterest’s social DNA were to have a fashion-obsessed baby, it’d be us,” said Shlok, Founder & CEO of shoppin’.

“For Gen-Zs, over 75% of fashion inspiration discovery happens on Instagram and Pinterest. We started shoppin’ seven months ago with the idea of bridging the gap between inspiration discovery on social platforms and e-commerce discovery on marketplaces and D2C brand websites. Our mission at shoppin’ is to make fashion discovery as seamless and easy as clicking an image. With Info Edge Ventures’ support, we’re committed to innovating further, pushing the boundaries of AI, to help every shopper find what they love effortlessly,” said Shlok.

“Our foundational AI models for fashion and autonomous agents for commerce have enabled us to revolutionize fashion search,” added Utsav, Co-founder & CTO of shoppin’.

“Fashion discovery needs to be much more intuitive and enjoyable. With the emergence of many new fashion D2C brands in the country in the last five years, we strongly believe that surfacing upcoming and innovative D2C brands to the right customers and solving brands’ distribution challenges is essential,” said Kitty Agarwal, Partner at Info Edge Ventures. “The founders are young and mission-driven—I’m yet to see any consumer product get the kind of social and word-of-mouth-driven organic waitlist shoppin’ has been able to garner in the run-up to the launch. We are very excited,” added Kitty

shoppin’ is laying the groundwork to become a shoppable Pinterest by integrating cutting-edge AI with a user-friendly experience. With a team of 20 Gen-Z engineers and marketers, shoppin’ is well positioned to launch its beta search engine in February, with subsequent versions enhancing accuracy and personalization.

With partnerships already established with many leading D2C brands, Shoppin’ strives to be a trusted partner for both brands and consumers. Looking ahead, Shoppin’ plans to collaborate with even more brands, increasing its offering to Gen-Zs, further solidifying its position as the premier fashion platform for consumers and brands alike.

Instant Payouts Now Available in India: Runa Enhances Cross-Border Payment Solutions

Runa, the leading global fintech infrastructure for the next generation of payouts experiences, today announced its expansion into India, opening access to the country’s $8.9 billion gift card market. With this expansion, Runa allows its business customers the ability to easily send instant, domestic and cross-border payouts to consumer recipients in India, dramatically reducing the traditional barriers of cost and complexity.

India’s rapid digital payment transformation—expanding at a notable rate of 44% CAGR by transaction volume from 2017 to 2024—paired with a surge in cross-border consumer transactions, which grew by 121% in the last nine months of 2024 alone, has created a strong demand for alternative consumer payout solutions.

By unlocking access to India, Runa emerges as a strategic partner for companies looking to tap into India’s thriving gift card sector for consumer disbursement, rewards, recognition and incentives. With the Indian market growing by 15.3% year over year, Runa enables companies to simplify regulatory compliance, reduce foreign exchange risks, and provide flexible funding options when sending funds to Indian recipients.

“We’re proud to bring Runa to India, where digital payments and gift cards are transforming how people connect and transact,” said Aron Alexander, CEO of Runa. “India’s fast-growing market is full of opportunity, and we’re here to help businesses effortlessly join one of the world’s most exciting economies and connect with millions of new consumers.”

Through Runa’s technology, businesses can now deliver instant payouts via an expansive network of thousands of global and leading Indian merchants, including e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, Shoppers Stop and popular digital wallets like Amazon Pay. Runa’s customers benefit from:

  • Real-Time Payouts: A streamlined solution for instant payments, eliminating the delays and costs associated with traditional cross-border transactions.
  • Flexible Funding & Foreign Exchange Options: Mitigation of capital control risks and seamless transactions without the need to hold Indian Rupees.
  • Built-in Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive handling of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, GST regulations, and data protection requirements.
  • Extensive Merchant Network: A single integration granting access to top Indian and global merchants.

The expansion comes at a pivotal time, as The International Trade Administration reports that India is experiencing a digital payments revolution and e-commerce boom, fueled by rapid smartphone adoption, 650 million users in 2024, and internet connectivity extending to more than 950 million people.

“Runa has done all of the heavy lifting to pave the way for us to launch in India, sourcing popular merchants and alleviating the hassles and compliance challenges,” said Mike Bowles, Senior Director of Operations at Augeo Marketing. “We’re looking forward to launching our program into the Indian market.”

Ambuja Cements SEDI Launches AI Course for Himachal Youth

Shimla/Solan, 31 January 2025 – Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is committed to skilling the youth of the nation towards a better tomorrow. The Company’s Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) has launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science course at its centres in Darlaghat and Nalagarh.

This innovative course aims to equip graduates in Science, IT, Commerce, or Arts with the skills needed for high-demand careers in AI and Data Science. The programme is designed to address the employment challenges faced by graduates in the region and prepare them for roles such as data analysts, data scientists, and python developers.

Ambuja Cements’ CSR team, through its 15 supported SEDIs, has a commendable track record, having trained over 75,000 rural youth with a 75% placement rate across various industries. It is committed to empowering underserved youth with essential skills, fostering employment, and industry readiness through forward-looking initiatives.

Praj announces Q3 FY25 results: Revenue at Rs. 8,530.279 million, PAT at Rs. 411.044 million

Performance Review for Q3 FY25 – Consolidated:

  • Income from operations stood at Rs. 8,530.279 million (Q2 FY25: Rs. 8,161.920 million; Q3 FY24: Rs. 8,286.226 million)
  • PBT is at Rs. 588.220 million for the period (Q2 FY25: Rs. 744.419 million; Q3 FY24: Rs. 919.217 million)
  • PAT is at Rs. 411.044 million (Q2 FY25: Rs. 538.310 million; Q3 FY24: 704.143 million)
  • Order intake during the quarter Rs.10,530 million (Q2 FY25: 9,210 million; Q3 FY24: Rs. 10,370 million)

Performance Review for 9M FY25 – Consolidated:

  • Income from operations stood at Rs. 23,683.613 million (9M FY24: Rs. 24,477.138 million)
  • PBT is at Rs. 2,121.444 million for the period (9M FY24: Rs. 2,544.371 million)
  • PAT is at Rs. 1,791.161 million (9M FY24: Rs. 1,914.548 million)
  • Order intake Rs. 28,620 million (9M FY24: Rs. 32,010 million)

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Mr. Shishir Joshipura, CEO & MD, Praj Industries said, “Our performance this quarter reflects resilience of the business in face of challenges on account of global volatility and uncertainty in the economy. On the strategic vectors, the company continues its positive journey as reflected in growing order book as well as constitution of orders in favour of increasing international business. Initial delays in readying the Mangalore facility have impacted the planned business activity for the GenX business in the current year, which we expect to recover as we move forward through the next financial year.”

Key Developments:

  • The Board at its meeting held today, approved an appointment of Mr. Ashish Gaikwad as Managing Director- Designate for period of 5 years with effect from 3rd February 2025 in order to ensure smooth transition as Mr. Shishir Joshipura (CEO & Managing Director) will be completing his tenure on 30th June 2025.
  • India’s First National Highway constructed using Bio-Bitumen Developed byPrajwas inaugurated Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari. Roads constructed with lignin-based bio-bitumen, blended at 15% can achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional fossil-based bitumen.
  • Prajboard has approved formation of JV with BPCL for setting up CBG plants across India. BPCL board has already approved this in their board meeting earlier this month.
  • Received a significant international order to set up 50 KLPD Molasses to Ethanol plant in Tanzania, Africa.

Praj Industries Limited: Praj, India’s most accomplished industrial biotechnology company is driven by innovation, integration and delivery capabilities. Over the past four decades, Praj has focused on the environment, energy, and agri-process industry, with 1000++ customer references spanning 100+ countries across all 6 continents. BioMobility® and Bio-Prism® are the mainstays of Praj’s contribution to the global Bioeconomy. The BioMobility® platform offers technology solutions globally to produce renewable transportation fuel, thus ensuring sustainable decarbonization through circular bioeconomy. The company’s Bio-Prism® portfolio comprises of technologies for the production of renewable chemicals and materials, promises sustainability, while reimagining nature. Praj Matrix, the state-of-the-art R&D facility, forms the backbone for the company’s endeavors towards a clean energy-based Bioeconomy. Praj’s diverse portfolio comprises Bio-energy solutions, Critical process equipment & modularization, Breweries, Zero liquid discharge systems and High purity water systems. Led by accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen.

L&T Minerals & Metals Vertical Wins Order in the Middle East

Chandigarh, January 31, 2025: L&T’s Minerals & Metals (M&M) vertical has secured a significant order for setting up freight handling facilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This is a repeat order from a leading railway company in the GCC, which has ambitious plans for capacity expansion in multiple phases.

The scope of work involves engineering, procurement, construction & commissioning (EPCC) of freight handling facilities with advanced automation and control at two locations, including an add-on package.

L&T has successfully executed several freight handling facilities across the railway corridors in India and the Middle East, and these projects are a testament to L&T’s capability and reputation as a major player in EPC and Design-Build projects.

“With this prestigious project, M&M further solidifies its reputation as a leader in freight handling facility projects. The repeat order from GCC’s largest railway company highlights M&M’s proven capabilities in delivering EPC projects matching international standards in quality, safety, and on-time completion,” said Mr D K Sen, Executive Committee Member and Advisor to the CMD, L&T.

L&T’s M&M vertical offers world-class end-to-end solutions in EPC domain across sectors such as mining, minerals processing, industrial products and material handling. Its product business provides cost-effective end-to-end solutions for industries such as mining, cement, steel, fertilisers and ports.

APSEZ PAT grows 32%, crosses Rs 8,000 crores

Ahmedabad, 31 January 2025: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) today announced its results for the quarter and nine months ending 31st December 2024.

Particulars (Rs Cr) Q3 FY25 Q3 FY24 YoY 9M FY25 9M FY24 YoY
Cargo (MMT) 113 109 4% 332 311 7%
Revenue 7,964 6,920 15% 22,590 19,814 14%
EBITDA1 4,802 4,186 15% 14,019 11,820 19%
PAT2 2,518 2,208 14% 8,038 6,089 32%

“I am excited to share the fantastic momentum we have achieved during 9M FY25, driven by exceptional execution across 3 key areas of our business – market share gains coupled with volume-price mix increase, traction in logistics vertical, and operational efficiencies along with technology-led gains. On the logistics front, in line with our commitment earlier in the year, we launched a new trucking platform, which is being integrated across the rest of the logistics value chain and will make us a true integrated Transport Utility. We have also upgraded our FY25 EBITDA forecast to Rs 18,800-18,900 crores. Moreover, it is incredibly gratifying to be recognized by S&P Global CSA as one of the Top 10 companies globally in the transport industry. This prestigious recognition reflects our focus on imbibing sustainability across our operations,” said Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO, APSEZ.

Strategic highlights

  • Started Trucking Management Solution (TMS), a technology platform that acts as a transformational marketplace + fulfilment solution to streamline supply chain for customers
  • TMS offers an easy-to-use marketplace interface, handles end-to-end trucking workflows, can be seamlessly integrated with client systems, enables real-time tracking, and includes analytical tools for pricing and operational insights. TMS incorporates SLA-based fulfilment assurance across a wide range of fleet options, including full-load and partial-load shipments
  • Closed Gopalpur and Astro Offshore transactions worth over Rs 4,600 crores
  • Signed 30-year concession agreement to manage container terminal at Dar es Salaam Port, Tanzania
  • Vizhinjam port commenced commercial operations, post extensive trials. During the trial period, the port handled 70+ vessels and 147,000+ containers
  • Commenced O&M operations at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port’s Netaji Subhas dock
  • Placed India’s largest order for eight harbour tugs with Cochin Shipyard. The contract value is estimated at Rs 450 crores and deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2026 and continue until May 2028

Operational highlights

  • APSEZ clocked 332 MMT (+7% YoY) cargo volume in 9M FY25 led by growth in containers (+19% YoY), liquids and gas (+8% YoY) and dry and dry bulk cargo (iron ore, limestone, minerals, coking coal, etc.), partially offset by decline in imported non-coking coal
  • All-India cargo market share for 9M FY25 stood at 27.2% (up from 26.5% in FY24). Container market share for 9M FY25 stood at 45.2% (up from 44.2% in FY24)
  • Logistics continued to demonstrate momentum with growth across container volume (0.48 Mn TEUs, +9% YoY), bulk cargo (16.1 MMT, +13% YoY) and container volume handled at MMLPs (3,33,419 TEUs, +19% YoY)
  • During November ’24, Mundra handled 396 vessels and executed 845 vessel movements, making it the highest ever monthly achievement by the port. Mundra port also exported a record breaking 5,405 cars in a single consignment during the month
  • Gangavaram port launched container terminal operations with the inaugural EXIM vessel call of MV Synergy Keelung

 Financial highlights 

  • Operating revenue grew by 14% YoY to Rs 22,590 crores. Ports revenue increased by 11% YoY to Rs 17,172 crores; Logistics revenue increased by 22% to Rs 1,852 crores
  • EBITDA (excluding forex) increased 19% to Rs 14,019 crores. EBITDA margin increased to 62% (from 60% during 9M FY24).
  • FY25 EBITDA guidance revised to Rs 18,800-18,900 crores
  • APSEZ continues to maintain excellent financial discipline – net debt to TTM EBITDA stood at 2.1x (vs 2.3x in FY24)
  • ICRA Limited reaffirmed the credit rating of long-term – fund based/non-fund-based limit and non-convertible debentures as [ICRA] AAA; stable and commercial paper as [ICRA] A1+
  • India Ratings & Research reaffirmed the credit rating of non-convertible debentures and bank loans (long-term) as IND AAA/Stable and commercial paper and bank loans (short-term) as IND A1+
  • S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed its rating at BBB- and revised outlook to “Negative” during the quarter. Moody’s Ratings reaffirmed investment grade rating ‘Baa3’ and revised its outlook to negative during the quarter
  • Fitch Ratings reaffirmed APSEZ rating at BBB- and placed the long-term foreign-currency issuer rating and US dollar senior unsecured bonds on Rating Watch Negative during the quarter

ESG highlights

  • APSEZ was ranked among the Top 10 global transportation and transportation infrastructure companies in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA – scores as of 31st December), with a score of 68 (out of 100)—three points improvement over last year. APSEZ is now placed in the 97th percentile within the sector, improving from the 96th percentile in 2023.
  • APSEZ was ranked among the Top 12 companies in transportation infrastructure by ISS ESG and was awarded ‘Prime’ status for the first time (making APSEZ equity and bond instruments eligible for responsible investments)
  • APSEZ is targeting Net Zero by 2040. The company is on track to add 1,000 MW of new renewable capacity
  • Krishnapatnam port received the 18th ICC Environment Excellence Award 2024 in the Platinum category demonstrating commitment to sustainability and responsible practices

Awards and accolades

  • Mundra port received the ‘Shipping Terminal of the year Award’ at the 11th International Samudra Manthan Awards 2024
  • Mundra port received ‘Port of the year – containerized cargo’ at the EXIM Star Awards 2024
  • Mundra port was recognized at the Kutch Business Excellence Award 2.0 for excellence in infrastructure development and collaborative CSR projects
  • Krishnapatnam port won the ‘Sustenance Organization Award’ at the QCFI Tirupati Chapter Meet. This award recognizes commitment to quality and continuous improvement
  • Ocean Sparkle was awarded ‘The Maritime Standard Excellence Award’ at the Esteemed Star of the Industry Awards
  • Ocean Sparkle was named as ‘Best Employer of Offshore Fleet’ at the Seajob Indian Anchor Awards 2024