Increase Industry and manufacturing contribution to GDP our top priority: Hemant Sharma

Bhubaneswar: The 2nd Edition of the Odisha Manufacturing Conclave 2025, organized by the ASSOCHAM Odisha State Council, successfully commenced today at a city hotel. This year’s conclave, themed “AI-Driven Manufacturing: Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainable Growth,” brought together industry leaders, policymakers, technology pioneers, and academia to discuss Odisha’s roadmap for becoming a future-ready manufacturing hub.

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Additional Chief Secretary, Industry, Govt of Odisha, Shri Hemant Sharma highlighted that Manufacturing currently contributes 36% to Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while the combined contribution of industry and manufacturing stands at 53%. He emphasized that there is significant potential to further enhance this share, and this remains a top priority for the state government. “Our policies have been strategically designed to drive this growth, and we are witnessing a rapid inflow of investments. Many investment proposals have not only been received but have also been successfully grounded,” he said.

Reflecting on Odisha’s industrial transformation over the past few decades, Sharma noted the role of technological advancements in optimizing resource use. “For instance, the land required for establishing aluminium plants with double the production capacity has now been reduced to almost half, thanks to improved technology,” he explained. He further added that the state government is actively supporting industries with a steady supply of skilled manpower and comprehensive infrastructure to help them flourish.

Shri Hemant Sharma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & MSME Dept, Govt of Odisha unveiled ASSOCHAM study paper in partnership with Primus Partners

The event commenced with a Welcome Address by Mr. Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman, Odisha State Development Council, ASSOCHAM, who lauded the Government’s visionary approach and called for stronger collaboration between the government, industry, and academia to enable smart and sustainable manufacturing in Odisha.

AI is no longer an emerging trend; it is now a defining catalyst of modern manufacturing. Odisha must now transition from being resource-rich to becoming data-rich and digitally intelligent,” said Mr. Mohanty.

The conclave also witnessed the release of the ASSOCHAM-Primus Knowledge Report, providing critical insights on AI adoption and manufacturing best practices.

Mr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North East India remarked, “India and the UK share a rich history of industrialisation and innovation. We now stand at the cusp of a new era, shaped by digital transformation, green technologies, resilient supply chains and the rising importance of critical minerals. With Odisha aspiring to become a major manufacturing hub, it naturally aligns as a strategic partner for the UK. Together, we can drive industrial innovation while upholding the principles of sustainability. Today, the UK is at the forefront of smart factory automation, advanced industrial engineering, and sustainable supply chain practices all underpinned by the latest advances in AI”.

Two key plenary sessions held. On Enabling a Competitive Manufacturing Ecosystem – Policy & Tech Integration session, Eminent speakers discussed how Odisha can leverage policy frameworks and cutting-edge technologies to build a future-ready manufacturing sector. Similarly, AI for Sustainable Manufacturing – Innovations & Best Practices session,
Industry experts explored how artificial intelligence can foster sustainable growth and unlock new opportunities across sectors. The conclave concluded with a strong call for collaborative action to make Odisha a national leader in AI-powered, sustainable, and intelligent manufacturing.

The event was attended by senior officials, industry stalwarts, technology leaders, international representatives. Ms Perminder Jeet Kaur, Senior Director – East & Northeast, ASSOCHAM proposed vote of thanks.

Other dignitaries spoke at the event were Shri D. Prasanth Kumar Reddy, IAS, Director of Industries, Odisha, Shri. Sashi Sekhar Mohanty, Chairman, Odisha State Manufacturing Council, ASSOCHAM, Mr. Prabodh Mohanty, Chairman, Odisha State Mining & Steel Council, ASSOCHAM, Mr Prashant Hota, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha CSR & Sustainability Council & Mr. Bharat Dureja, Senior Adviser, Primus Partners India.

JP Infra Unveils ‘Monsoon Fest 2025’…

JP Infra Unveils ‘Monsoon Fest 2025’ – An Exclusive Seasonal Privileges for homebuyers

 Mumbai, 19th June 2025: JP Infra, one of Mumbai’s most trusted and leading real estate developers, has announced its innovative limited-period campaign “Monsoon Fest 2025”- offering a host of exclusive benefits across its landmark residential developments in Mira Road, Thane, and others.

The campaign brings together a thoughtfully crafted selection of privileges that elevate the homebuying experience. Every booking comes with an assured premium White Goods voucher from leading brands. To complement this, homebuyers can choose among one of three exclusive add-on benefits: a 50% waiver on stamp duty, a modular kitchen, or a fully furnished home—each designed to enhance both comfort and savings. The offers are available for a limited time, from 16th June to 31st July 2025 These offers are available for a limited period, from 16th June to 31st July 2025, and apply across JP Infra’s most sought-after residential developments, including new launches, under-construction, and ready-to-move-in projects.

Mr. Deepak Nair, Head – Marketing, JP Infra, said “At JP Infra, we don’t just build homes, but we create opportunities for families to begin a new chapter with confidence and comfort. The Monsoon Fest is an extension of that vision. With exclusive offers, a customer-first approach, and our proven track record of timely delivery, we aim to make the journey to homeownership both rewarding and reassuring.”

 With a legacy of delivering ahead of time and a commitment towards crafting thoughtfully designed communities, JP Infra’s Monsoon Fest is more than a seasonal offering, it’s a gateway to a lifestyle defined by trust, timeliness, and transformation.

India Real Estate Report FY 2025-26: Trends, Insights and Forecasts

New Delhi, June 2025: Grant Thornton Bharat , released its latest edition of India Real Estate Report FY 202526, highlighting continued momentum in India’s real estate sector across residential, commercial, and industrial verticals. The report reveals strong investor interest, emerging asset classes, and growing adoption of technology and sustainability practices.

Key Highlights:

Residential Resurgence: Home sales across India’s top cities rose ~77% since FY 2019, with increasing preference for mid-to-premium homes. While affordable housing saw a slight dip in Q1 2025, overall inventory is reducing, indicating long-term demand stability.
– Commercial Real Estate on the Rise: Office leasing hit record levels in FY2025, driven by demand from global capability centers, IT/ITeS, and flexible workspaces. Tier-2 cities are emerging as new hubs.
– Industrial & Warehousing Growth: The logistics and warehousing sector continues to expand, supported by ‘Make in India’, GST reforms, and the National Logistics Policy.
– Capital Flows & Deals: India recorded 99 real estate transactions worth USD 6.99 billion in FY 2024–25. Private equity led with USD 3.15 billion, while public markets raised nearly USD 3 billion through IPOs and QIPs.
– Technology & ESG Disruption: AI, blockchain, smart buildings, and green construction are reshaping how assets are developed and operated. Real estate tokenisation and SM-REITs are emerging as new investment vehicles.

The sector faces rising construction costs, regulatory delays, and the need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences such as wellness-centric and integrated living. However, the report forecasts sustained growth in premium housing, commercial office spaces, logistics infrastructure, and alternative investments, driven by digital innovation, urban decentralisation, and investor appetite.

Developer Spotlight: Sobha Ltd.’s Bengaluru flagship, Sobha Dream Acres, is leading innovation in sustainable construction and efficient housing delivery, with plans to expand into Mumbai’s luxury market. India’s real estate story is being rewritten—digitally, sustainably, and inclusively. The future is decentralized, tech-enabled, and investor-friendly,” said the Shabala Shinde, Partner and Real Estate Industry leaderGrant Thornton Bharat.

The Wealth Company Launches INR 2000 Cr Bharat Bhoomi Fund to Capture India’s Real Estate Potential

Chandigarh, 10th June 2025: The Wealth Company Asset Management Private Limited, part of the Pantomath Group, has launched Bharat Bhoomi Fund—a ₹1000 crore Category II AIF with a ₹1000 crore green shoe option—under its fifth Bharat Value Fund series. The Fund brings private equity-style rigor to India’s growing real estate sector, with a focused approach on execution-ready projects across high-opportunity corridors and core cities.

Bharat Bhoomi Fund marks a thoughtful expansion of The Wealth Company’s investment canvas—rooted in the same value-driven philosophy that defines the rest of its approach. Building on the strong foundation and credibility of the Bharat Value Fund series—trusted and backed by quality investors such as Sovereign Fund of Funds and prominent Family Offices—this fund provides a natural way to broaden exposure to real assets. Offering visibility and collateral backing, real estate forms a resilient foundation alongside equity and private market investments—demonstrating lasting value across market cycles.

For The Wealth Companyreal estate is not a new direction, it’s a natural progression aligned with the need to diversify portfolios. The asset class aligns perfectly with the focus on tangible value, risk-managed returns, and disciplined capital deployment. The Fund is built to bridge the gap between developer mindset and investor expectations, applying hallmark underwriting and governance frameworks to a physical asset class, supported by expert operators and executional control.

The Fund will follow a diversified capital allocation strategy—investing in data centers, warehousing, hospitality, and renewable parks, sectors aligned with India’s evolving infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainability priorities. Investor demand for these new economic assets is growing, driven by the country’s digital and green energy transitions. These segments go beyond traditional real estate—they represent economic infrastructure, reflecting the fund’s strategic focus. Alongside this, investments will target mid-to-premium residential, retail, plotted villas, and mixed-use developments across high-growth cities such as Mumbai (MMR), NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The fund will also focus on infrastructure-led corridors and plotted developments benefiting from upcoming connectivity and urban expansion.

The Fund is led by Rakesh Kumar, whose experience spans over 50,000 real estate transactions and senior leadership roles at Shell, Walmart, and Reliance, along with Bhavya Bagrecha, who has executed over ₹2,500 crore in institutional real estate investments and introduced India’s first REIT-style structure under SEBI’s VCF regulations. The team is further strengthened by Peter Sharp, former head of Walmart’s Asia real estate operations, who joins as an advisor with over 35 years of global experience.

The Fund’s approach is designed to identify projects with clear land titles, regulatory readiness, and early exit visibility. It will target ready-to-launch assets that can move swiftly from investment to value creation. With a robust pipeline of approximately 1200 acres across six projects, Bharat Bhoomi Fund is well-positioned to deploy capital with speed, prudence and precision.

Madhu Lunawat, Founder and Director of The Wealth Company Asset Management, stated“As capital becomes more thoughtful, the demand for real assets with real outcomes has never been higher. Bharat Bhoomi Fund allows meeting that demand with discipline, data, and domain expertise. The Wealth Company’s investment ethos is now extending confidently into India’s real estate space—with conviction and clarity.”

As the Indian real estate market matures, Bharat Bhoomi Fund arrives with timing, leadership, and structure —opening the door to a new standard in real estate investing.

IHCL Reaffirms Commitment to Reducing Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day

Chandigarh, June 7, 2025: As part of its ongoing sustainability journey, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, reiterates its commitment to environmental stewardship by advancing impactful waste management and plastic reduction initiatives on World Environment Day. Aligning with the United Nations’ theme Beat Plastic Pollution,’ IHCL continues to lead in sustainable practices through its ESG+ framework of Paathya.

Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, stated, “At IHCL, sustainability is integral to our business strategy and purpose. We recognise the urgency of the global plastic crisis and are committed to being part of the solution. Through Paathya, we are driving systemic change by eliminating single-use plastics and investing in long-term waste management solutions. As we continue to evolve, our focus remains on creating lasting impact within our hotels and across our communities.”

IHCL has made significant strides in eliminating single-use plastics across its operations. Key initiatives include installing in-house glass water bottling plants across 64 hotels, introducing 500 ml and 250 ml water bottles in banquets and spas, and incorporating biodegradable materials for bathroom amenities. Transitioning to carbon-neutral bamboo key cards made from renewable resources, IHCL eliminated 623 tonnes plastic. Waste segregation at source is implemented across all hotels, with waste streams being tracked and recycled through authorized channels. To manage organic waste, 101 hotels have installed organic waste composter or biogas systems, collectively preventing over 8,119 tonnes of organic waste from reaching landfills.

The partnership with United Way Mumbai to implement a comprehensive community waste management program led to the collection of over 1,12,000 kilograms of waste in six months, with more than 41,500 kilograms directed for recycling. Through this partnership, interactive sessions are conducted across Mumbai’s colleges raising awareness on marine pollution, mangrove conservation, and practical waste management strategies. Other community initiatives include the adoption of Mahim Reti Bunder and Mahim Causeway in Mumbai for a multifaceted approach to waste management.

Indian Tech Firms Champion Sustainability Through Innovation, Data, and Community Action on World Environment Day

Qlik – Julie Kae, VP Sustainability and Impact, Executive Director of Qlik.org

“At Qlik, we see plastic pollution not just as an environmental issue, but as a solvable data challenge. Across our global offices, we’ve eliminated single-use plastics and adopted eco-friendly practices across events, sourcing, and operations. But our greater impact lies in helping others act. Through partnerships with C40 Cities, UNFCCC, and Van Oord, we support real-world, data-driven solutions – from tracking plastic use to identifying smarter ways to reduce waste and build climate resilience. We’re proud to work with nonprofits and public sector organizations that turn data into impact, whether it’s supporting climate dashboards, open-access tools, or smarter recycling systems. These are more than pilot projects – they demonstrate what’s possible when insight drives action.

As we continue this journey, our commitment to achieving net zero by 2030 remains central to how we innovate, operate, and empower others.”

Automation Anywhere – Neeti Mehta Shukla, Co-founder and Chief Social Impact Officer

“At Automation Anywhere, we believe technology must be a force for good – not only in transforming how work gets done, but in protecting the planet we all share.

Over the past year, in collaboration with WWF-India, we have been leveraging automation to enhance marine litter monitoring and accelerate environmental impact. Our solutions have enabled the identification of over 4,400 plastic pollution hotspots along Odisha’s coastline, empowering conservation teams to collect, analyze, and act on data more efficiently than ever. We plan to expand these efforts in the coming months to further amplify impact and scalability. This work builds on our broader commitment to purpose-driven innovation, as reflected in our 2025 Impact Report, which highlights thousands of volunteer hours and growing employee participation in global sustainability initiatives.

Every organization has a role to play. By embedding sustainability into the heart of innovation, we can solve some of our planet’s most urgent challenges.”

UST – Vishnu Rajasekharan Nair, Director, Sustainability and Culture

Over the years at UST, sustainability has shifted from being just a strategic focus to something that quietly influences how we work, how we build teams, and how we make decisions. What has moved it forward is the steady effort of many people choosing to act together in ways that make sense for their teams, their roles, and the communities around them.

We’ve seen this take shape through everyday actions like the zero-waste hackathons, afforestation drives, and paperless workstreams. Not because they were mandated, they happened because people cared and felt trusted to take the lead.

One example is our Colors platform. Built on behavioral science, it gives our associates the space to lead projects around sustainability, wellbeing, and community. Over the past year, that’s meant transforming unused spaces into herb gardens, switching to reusables in cafeterias, and helping local women to launch sustainable micro-businesses. Taken together, these grassroots efforts, alongside broader systemic changes, contributed to a 20% reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, while our facilities reached 50% renewable electricity usage by the end of 2024.

Across the organization, we also saw more than 16,300 volunteering hours logged through over 170 community-based projects, with initiatives that impacted 127,000 lives globally, a reflection of what happens when sustainability becomes part of the culture, not just the strategy.

This World Environment Day is a moment to pause and notice the quiet efforts happening all around us. It’s in the way people choose to act sometimes in small, simple ways that add up to something meaningful over time. That’s how a culture shifts. Not all at once, but together.

Mphasis – Deepa Nagraj, Head of ESG and CSR

At Mphasis, we firmly believe that long-term progress must be ethical, inclusive and sustainable. Environmental considerations are an essential part of how we grow as a business and engage with the communities around us. Organisations today have a responsibility to move beyond short-term metrics and invest in building long-term ecological and social value.

Our collaboration with United Way of Bengaluru reflects this commitment. Since 2022, we have constructed over 1,300 percolation wells across Bengaluru. Each well conserves more than 1.28 lakh litres of rainwater annually, contributing to over 171 million litres of groundwater recharge every year. This initiative is helping restore the city’s water resilience while strengthening urban sustainability.

Equally significant is our ‘Mangrove Matters’ initiative in Pulicat, where we are restoring 70 acres of mangrove forest while creating sustainable livelihoods for the Irular tribe through their involvement in sapling care and ecosystem maintenance. The project not only improves biodiversity and climate resilience but also supports community upliftment through nature-positive action. These efforts reflect our belief that sustainability must be rooted in both environmental responsibility and inclusive development.

KPIT – Manasi Patil, Lead for Sustainability Initiatives

At KPIT, sustainability is deeply embedded in our vision to Reimagine mobility with you, for the creation of a cleaner, smarter, safer world. The mobility ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with software and electronics redefining vehicle architecture, and in this shift, sustainability must be foundational — not reactive. As we enable global OEMs to develop software-defined, electric, and intelligent vehicles, we also believe our responsibility lies in ensuring that the way we work, grow, and contribute mirrors the future we’re helping to build.

Our social responsibility is driven by Education, Environment, and Energy, with Employee Engagement as the core of all focus areas. This organisation-wide commitment is backed by measurable action. Under our sustainability roadmap EcoVoyage 2030, we are progressing toward net-zero emissions, and our campuses are steadily transitioning to renewable energy sources. At our Pune campus alone, over 2,800 indigenous trees have been planted across the green belt and hill slopes, supporting soil retention and ecological balance—leading to an increase in biodiversity, including renewed migratory birds.

We want to make sure we all leave a positive legacy through our work and have some wonderful stories of impact to share with our families. In FY25, KPITians collectively undertook more than 15,000 actions, including planting trees, carpooling, eating less meat, and more. This number being higher than our headcount, it averages at least one action per person. Moreover, when tracked at an individual level, 40% of employees reported undertaking at least one sustainability initiative last year, with this percentage rising further when factoring in all our CSR activities.

Our environmental initiatives also extend into communities. Through afforestation and water conservation work in rural areas, over 61,000 trees have been planted with a survival rate exceeding 95%, and nearly 44 million liters of water have been conserved, directly benefitting more than 46,000 individuals.

Errol Musk Wraps Up India Visit, Applauds Green Tech and Culture

Errol Musk Concludes Transformative 6-Day India Visit, Praising India’s Green Tech Leap and Cultural Depth

NEW DELHI, INDIA – June 7, 2025: After a highly productive and culturally enriching 6-day trip, Errol Musk, Global Advisor to Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd., concluded his visit to India today. Accompanied by his daughter, Alexandra Musk, the visit, which began on June 1st, significantly underscored India’s pivotal role in the global green technology and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure revolution.

Hosted by Servotech Renewable, Musk’s itinerary was packed with high-profile engagements designed to accelerate India’s sustainable development. His journey included headlining the India–Global Green Tech Vision Forum in New Delhi, where he shared his global insights on green technology. He also toured Servotech’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, gaining firsthand insight into India’s indigenous capabilities in EV chargers and solar solutions.

A unique aspect of his visit involved profound spiritual and cultural immersion. Musk engaged in sacred visits to the Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya and ISKCON Delhi. At ISKCON, he actively participated in a Tulsi plantation drive, performed arti, and reverently partook of the ‘Chappan Bhog’ prasad, highlighting the deep connection between sustainability and Indian traditions. During his spiritual interactions, he openly praised the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Reflecting on his journey, Errol Musk stated, “This trip has been truly eye-opening, witnessing India’s dynamic progress in green tech and its rich cultural depth. I leave incredibly optimistic about India’s future and its role on the global stage, and I look forward to returning soon to explore more of India’s beautiful places.”

Raman Bhatia, Managing Director, Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd., expressed, “Hosting Errol Musk has been an immense privilege and a pivotal moment for Servotech and India’s green energy sector. His strategic insights and personal embrace of India’s cultural values have been incredibly validating, further solidifying our commitment to accelerating India’s journey towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and self-reliant future.”

Musk’s departure marks the culmination of a visit that has not only strengthened Servotech’s global partnerships but also vividly amplified India’s narrative as a burgeoning leader in both sustainable innovation and spiritual harmony.

NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Ltd Launches ESG Ratings for Listed Companies

6th June 2025: NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Ltd announces the launch of its ESG ratings for listed companies, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable business practices in India. NSE Sustainability focuses on assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, providing stakeholders with vital information to make informed decisions.

NSE Sustainability received its certificate of registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate as a Category I ESG Rating Provider (ERP). As a wholly owned subsidiary of NSE Indices Limited which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE), NSE Sustainability embodies the principles of transparency and actionable insights.

Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, NSE, said NSE Sustainability’s mission is to provide stakeholders including investors, businesses, regulators and the public with accurate, comprehensive and unbiased evaluations of corporate sustainability practices.”

The ESG ratings are derived from a thorough evaluation of company practices, policies, and disclosures across relevant sectors and industries. NSE Sustainability employs a transparent, data-driven, and materiality-based ESG ratings methodology aligned with both national and international standards and best practices. By integrating a wide array of parameters, NSE Sustainability ensures its ESG ratings reflect a balanced and objective perspective, free from biases related to size, scale, or industry.

Shri Aniruddha Chatterjee, CEO, NSE Indices, said “The launch of ESG ratings by NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Ltd underscores our commitment to innovation in sustainable finance and we believe that our ESG ratings, data and analytics will set a benchmark in advancing ESG practices across industries.”

EDAG Smart Industry Summit 2025 Concludes in New Delhi

EDAG Smart Industry Summit 2025 Concludes in New DelhiEngineering the Digital Future of Manufacturing

New Delhi, June 6, 2025 – EDAG India proudly concluded its Smart Industry Summit 2025 in co-operation with Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) & IMA, held on 4th and 5th June at Roseate House, Aerocity, New Delhi. The two-day summit brought together industry leaders, technology innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of smart manufacturingdigital engineering, and sustainable industrial ecosystems.

The summit highlighted EDAG’s position as a system integrator for industrial transformation, combining its expertise in cross-domain engineering, production system development, and automation technologies. With a focus on enabling end-to-end digitalization across the factory lifecycleEDAG showcased how its solutions -spanning from digital planning and virtual validation to scalable and sustainable production – are shaping the future of smart manufacturing.

Summit Highlights:

Smart Product: Demonstrated how embedded software, electrification, and connected systems are reshaping modern engineering – leveraging EDAG’s competencies in electronics development, digital integration, and product lifecycle support.

Smart Factory: Showcased the evolution from automated to adaptive production environments, enabled through digital twins, process simulation, and intelligent automation technologies.

Smart People: Focused on human-machine interaction, digital enablement, and building a future-ready workforce equipped for Industry 5.0 and beyond.

Smart Ecosystem: Emphasized how integrated, data-driven ecosystems can increase flexibility, transparency, and resilience across the entire value chain – connecting products, systems, partners, and platforms through seamless digital threads.

Industrial Metaverse Experience: The EDAG Metaverse live demonstrations enabled visitors to engage with virtual representations of production systems, simulating real-time environments to accelerate decision-making, reduce risks, and improve cost efficiency.

Collaborative Tech ShowcasesEDAG’s technology partners – NVIDIA, Siemens, Phoenix Contact, SAP, and EKS and EY – demonstrated solutions in AI-driven simulation, industrial connectivity, and cloud-integrated operations.

Speaking at the summitMr. Rainer Wittich, CEO of EDAG Production Solutions GmbH & Co. KG, said:

“India plays a key role in EDAG’s global innovation roadmap. The Smart Industry Summit reflects our commitment to co-engineering solutions with local partners, fostering a future-ready, resilient manufacturing landscape – aligned with the Make in India vision.”

PepsiCo India and The Social Lab Scale Sustainable Waste Solutions Across Four Cities with ‘Tidy Trails’

National, June 6, 2025: PepsiCo India, in collaboration with The Social Lab (TSL), has announced the expansion of its flagship plastic circularity initiative, Tidy Trails—a community-driven program focused on responsible plastic waste management through collection, segregation, and recycling to drive long-term environmental impact.

The initiative has now been launched in New Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and Pune’s FC College Road, with further expansion in Agra and Guwahati, building on the success of earlier editions in these cities. This strategic rollout reinforces PepsiCo India’s commitment to fostering cleaner, more sustainable urban environments.

Guided by its Partnership of Progress philosophy, Tidy Trails brings together local administrations, market associations, shopkeepers, and consumers to drive meaningful behaviour change around plastic waste segregation and recycling—creating a collaborative model for circularity at the community level.

As part of the initiative, a special mobile van will be deployed to collect post-consumer plastic waste from local establishments. The effort aims to encourage citizens to maintain cleaner surroundings and foster a culture of tidiness—setting positive examples and inspiring other communities to adopt responsible waste practices.

At the heart of the Tidy Trails initiative is a powerful idea: transforming plastic waste into purpose. Collected plastic is repurposed into functional items such as benches and chairs, which are installed in public spaces like parks, community centres, and marketplaces. These installations not only enhance the utility and aesthetics of these areas but also serve as daily reminders of the value of sustainable living.

Through on-ground campaigns, informative signage, and interactive community engagement, Tidy Trails is driving visible and lasting behavioral change—ensuring that plastic waste is not discarded, but reimagined into something meaningful for the community.

Speaking on the expansion, Ms. Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, said, On World Environment Day, the launch of Tidy Trails in Delhi and Pune, along with its expansion in Agra and Guwahati, underscores our commitment to scaling sustainable, community-led solutions for post-consumer plastic waste management. Guided by our Partnership of Progress philosophy, we believe meaningful change is only possible through collective action. The success of Tidy Trails in Agra and Guwahati—driven by strong community engagement and support from local administrations—has laid a solid foundation for this next phase. We’re proud to collaborate with partners like The Social Lab and local municipalities to deliver real, on-ground impact.”

Mr. Sahil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, The Social Lab (TSL), said, “We are proud to partner with PepsiCo India for this noble initiative. At TSL, we are committed to protecting the environment and supporting circular economy efforts through programs like Tidy Trails. Plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges today, but when reused and recycled, it can offer valuable solutions. Through this initiative, we aim to bring together communities, businesses, and policymakers to encourage the responsible use, recycling, and reuse of plastic.

Since its inception, the Tidy Trails initiative has collected over 68,000 kg of plastic waste, driven by active participation from local shopkeepers and communities. The program currently facilitates the daily collection of approximately 274 kg in Agra and 386 kg in Guwahati—demonstrating consistent, grassroots-level impact.

With a reach of over 1.9 lakh people, the initiative continues to drive behavioral change around responsible plastic waste management through sustained community engagement and awareness efforts.

As Tidy Trails expands its footprint, it stands as a compelling example of how collective action—across local communities, municipal bodies, and socially responsible businesses—can accelerate the transition toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.