L&T Secures Core Systems Orders for Dhaka Metro Line 1, Bangladesh’s First Underground Mass Transit Project

The Transportation Infrastructure business vertical of L&T has secured major Design & Build orders for two key systems packages of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line 1), that is Dhaka Metro, in Bangladesh.

The orders comprise Contract Package CP09 - Track Works & Electrical Systems, and Contract Package CP10 - Signalling, Telecommunications & Platform Screen Doors (PSD). These pertain to the first underground metro project in Bangladesh.

According to the company’s order classification, the value of the order is INR 5,000 to 10,000 crore.

Prior to this L&T had won and delivered the integrated railway systems package for Dhaka Metro Line 6, Bangladesh's first metro rail corridor, which is currently in commercial operation.

Commenting on this, Ramkumar S, Senior Executive Vice President & Head – Transportation Infrastructure, L&T, said: “The repeat orders from Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) are a testament to L&T’s capabilities in delivering large scale, integrated urban transit projects globally. With a strong track record of delivering E&M systems for the Dhaka Metro Line 6 with the highest standards of quality and timely execution, and more recently, for the Jakarta Metro, which is under execution, we are well positioned to leverage our experience in seamlessly integrating multiple systems in close coordination with OEMs and stakeholders”.

The Dhaka Metro Line 1 project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will provide a modern mass transit system spanning approximately 31 km. It includes the Airport Route from Kamalapur to Airport and the Purbachal Route from Natun Bazar to Purbachal Terminal, with 19 stations and a depot at Pitalganj.

Together, the two packages form the core operational systems of Dhaka Metro Line 1, and will deliver a safe, reliable and world-class urban transit solution for the people of Dhaka.

Under CP09, L&T, along with its Japanese partner M/s Sumitomo Corporation, will undertake the design, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of the complete track works, power supply & distribution system, traction substations, overhead catenary system and associated electrical facilities across the corridor.

Under CP10, L&T will execute the signalling, telecommunication and platform screen door for the entire network.

The Transportation Infrastructure vertical of L&T is a leading EPC player, which has delivered some of the most complex rail infrastructure projects in India and international markets, consistently maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and project execution.

Vikram Solar Wins 290 MWp N‑TOPCon Module Order for Rajasthan’s RUVN Solar Park

Vikram Solar, a leading Indian solar PV module manufacturer, has bagged an order to supply 289.87 MWp of N-TOPCon modules to NLC India Limited (NLCIL), on behalf of NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) for an 810 MW solar power project at the RUVN Solar Park in Pugal, Bikaner, Rajasthan, one of the largest solar parks in the country. NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited.

Built on N-type TOPCon cell technology, the modules are designed to deliver higher energy yield and stable output in high-irradiance, high-temperature conditions such as those of western Rajasthan.

Spread across the Thar region, the RUVN Solar Park is central to Rajasthan’s effort to harness its vast solar resource, as the state continues to lead India’s utility-scale solar build-out. A role in a project of this magnitude reinforces Vikram Solar’s standing as a trusted domestic supplier for grid-scale installations, where consistent quality, bankability and timely delivery are critical. The order further adds to the company’s order book as demand for high-efficiency, domestically manufactured modules continues to rise under India’s drive for self-reliance in solar manufacturing.

Mr. Sameer Nagpal, Chief Executive Officer, Vikram Solar, said, “As India builds clean energy capacity at gigawatt scale, the industry is placing greater value on technology and supply partners it can rely on over the long term. Being entrusted with nearly 290 MWp of modules for this landmark project is a strong endorsement of our N-TOPCon technology and our ability to deliver at utility scale. As we deepen our integrated manufacturing capabilities, our priority is to give customers the performance certainty and supply reliability that projects of this size demand.”

About Vikram Solar Limited:

Vikram Solar Limited is one of the leading Indian solar module manufacturers, specializing in efficient photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing, with an international presence across 39 countries. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, it is one of the largest PV module manufacturers in India. Vikram Solar is a 9th time ‘Top Performer’ in PVEL’s PV Module Reliability scorecard and has been included in the Tier 1 solar PV modules manufacturer list of Bloomberg NEF for 10 consecutive quarters. Vikram Solar Limited has established a pan-India presence through an extensive distributor network of 119 authorized distributors and more than 750+ dealers.

JERA and AM Green Ink Landmark Pact to Supply Green Ammonia for Japan’s Maritime Decarbonization

Advancing Japan’s end-to-end lower carbon ammonia value chain beyond power generation.

JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) and AM Green Ammonia (India) Private Limited (AM Green) today jointly announced that it has entered into a Binding Heads of Agreement ("HoA") with AM Green regarding the long-term supply of green ammonia produced in India.

• JERA and AM Green have agreed upon supply of approximately 70,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually over five years, with potential extension of term for additional supply.
• The green ammonia is intended to be supplied through receiving, storage and distribution facilities being developed adjacent to JERA's Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, Japan,
• Green ammonia would primarily be supplied to a business venture jointly to be established by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, which plans to utilize an ammonia bunkering vessel to supply fuel to ammonia-fueled car carriers,
• This marks one of the first large scale green ammonia based bunkering initiative globally,
• The green ammonia meets internationally recognized low-carbon standards and is benchmarked against the European market requirements,
• Green ammonia will be produced at AM Green’s Kakinada facility in Andhra Pradesh, India, planned to be commissioned by 2028/29. The facility will be supported by AM Green’s innovative round-the-clock renewable energy architecture, reinforced by pumped-hydro storage, powered by advanced alkaline electrolysis technology.
• This agreement advances the end-to-end low-carbon ammonia value chain JERA has been building across production, transportation, storage and utilization. It adds an additional source of supply and would extend the use of ammonia by JERA beyond power generation to maritime fuel, which will lead to the development of the infrastructure needed for broader ammonia utilization across Japan's industrial and commercial sectors.
• The long-term procurement of green ammonia from India would add renewable-based green ammonia to JERA’s planned supply of low-carbon ammonia portfolio further strengthening supply security and resilience that allows end customers to match supply to their decarbonization needs.
• The agreement marks one of AM Green’s first delivered-basis supply contracts in the Asian market and a milestone for the company as it pioneers direct delivery of green fuels to Japan.
• This landmark agreement further strengthens AM Green’s position as a global leader in renewable ammonia production, accelerating India’s emergence as a major supplier of green molecules and establishing AM Green as a partner for Japan and the broader Asian energy transition.

Irtiza Sayyed, JERA’s Senior Managing Executive Officer and JERA Global Energy Solutions CEO, said: "This agreement is an important step in advancing a practical end-to-end lower carbon value chain for Japan, anchored by our power generation business and serving a broader range of industries. Through our group structure, we combine JERA’s power generation and infrastructure platform in Japan with JERA Global Energy Solutions’ global supply capabilities. This allows us to connect diversified sources of ammonia with customer needs in Japan, contributing to Japan’s decarbonization goals.”

Mahesh Kolli, Group President, and Joint Managing Director of AM Green, said: "Our partnership with JERA marks another important milestone in AM Green’s journey to become a leading global supplier of renewable ammonia. This agreement reflects the growing demand for competitively priced green molecules from India and reinforces the strategic role of our Kakinada project in supporting Japan’s and maritime industry’s decarbonisation ambitions. By combining renewable energy, large-scale energy storage and advanced green ammonia production, we are building a reliable and scalable supply platform for international markets. We look forward to working closely with JERA to advance this partnership and contribute to the development of a resilient global green ammonia value chain."

About JERA

JERA is a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company focused on providing cutting-edge solutions to the world's energy issues. Established in 2015, the company produces one-third of Japan’s electricity and is one of the largest LNG buyers in the world. JERA has global reach and strength throughout the energy supply chain, including participation in upstream gas exploration and production, LNG projects, fuel procurement and transportation, and power generation globally.
In support of a responsible energy transition, JERA aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions from its domestic and overseas businesses by 2050.

About AM Green

AM Green Group is promoted by the founders of Greenko Group, which is among India’s leading renewable energy conglomerates. AM Green Group is building globally differentiated platforms across molecules, metals & materials, and AI technologies to enable industrial decarbonisation and competitive tokenisation at scale. AM Green backed by marquee investors like Gentari and GIC, is developing European standard green ammonia projects across multiple locations in India with a goal to reach 5 MTPA capacity. AM Green’s 1 MTPA green ammonia plant, currently under construction in Kakinada, will be one of the world’s largest green ammonia facilities, supporting efforts to achieve net-zero targets both in India and global markets. 

Maasi Raises ₹6 Crore Pre‑Seed to Build India’s Trusted Childcare Platform with Verified Nannies and Governess Services

The Bengaluru-based consumer-tech company is building a predictable nanny experience for India's parents, with reliable and trained caregivers.

Maasi, a Bengaluru-based childcare company, has raised ₹6 crore in a pre-seed round led by Better Capital alongside Antler India, one of the largest pre-seed rounds in India's childcare category. Angel investors in the round include veteran founders like Rishikesh SR (Rapido), Vaibhav Khandelwal (Shadowfax), Sumit Khandelwal (Xoxoday), Siddhant Goyal (Crane VC) and Sanjay Ramakrishnan (Multiply Ventures).

“Finding reliable childcare is still a gamble for millions of Indian parents. We’re excited to back Aashu, Gargi and Reshov as they bring trust and accountability to it and build a new standard for childcare in India,” said Vaibhav Domkundwar, founder of Better Capital, India’s largest inception-stage venture capital fund.

The round follows a strong start. Maasi's public launch on 20 October drew a waitlist of more than 4,000 parents within five days. The company has served more than 1,200 parents with over 500 caregivers and is growing 20% week on week.

Half of India's working women leave their jobs to care for their children. * For families who keep working, the answer is usually a nanny found through a neighbour or a WhatsApp forward, with no training, no accountability and no backup when she leaves. Maasi wants to make that experience predictable.

Maasi currently offers on-demand nannies starting at ₹199 an hour and monthly subscriptions starting at ₹5,999. Every caregiver is verified and trained before she meets a family in a free programme led by preschool directors, nurses and former airline cabin crew trainers.

Its newest category, the Maasi Governess, has drawn particular attention from parents: an English-speaking nanny trained in screen-free engagement and care.

Maasi grew out of Urban Parents Club, a community of more than 8,000 Bengaluru parents where one question came up more than any other: where do I find a nanny I can trust? The founders, all of whom come from families that run schools, decided to answer it after a close friend quit her job because she could not find reliable childcare. 'Maasi' is the Hindi word for a mother's sister: the one person a mother would hand her child to without a second thought.

“This is a tier-A team solving the hardest problem in childcare. Maasi is exclusive by design, with every caregiver held to an exceptionally high bar, and that’s exactly why we backed them,” said Rajiv Srivatsa, Partner at Antler India.

Maasi will use the funds to scale caregiver recruitment and training, build its technology platform and grow its team in Bengaluru.

About Maasi

Maasi is setting the gold standard for childcare in India. It trains, pays and supports caregivers, giving families in Bengaluru trusted, accountable care at home. Maasi was founded by Aashu Manchali, Gargi Pandey, and Reshov Roy and is operated by Elephant in the Room Infotech Private Limited. mymaasi.com

TV Channels Now on Apps – TRAI Brings New Rules

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its much-anticipated recommendations on the Authorisation Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services, marking a significant step in shaping the future of Internet-based television delivery in India. This framework is designed to balance innovation with accountability, ensuring consumer protection while fostering ease of doing business in the rapidly evolving broadcasting ecosystem.

Background and Context

In December 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) sought TRAI’s guidance on regulating Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) services. These services, which mimic traditional scheduled TV channels but are delivered via apps, smart TVs, or web browsers, have grown rapidly. TRAI broadened the scope to include all such platforms under the umbrella of ALTD Services, recognizing their role in reshaping television consumption.
Following a consultation paper in April 2026 and extensive stakeholder engagement—including 207 comments, 11 counter-comments, and an Open House Discussion in June 2026—TRAI finalized its recommendations. The framework aims to provide a light-touch, future-ready regulatory model that integrates ALTD services into India’s broadcasting landscape.

Key Recommendations

• Introduction of ALTD Services: ALTD is proposed as a distinct sub-category under Television Channel Distribution Services within the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
• Definition of ALTD: It includes aggregation and distribution of government-approved linear TV channels, internet-native channels (with approved name/logo), and platform service channels, delivered via apps, websites, or connected devices.
• Exclusions: Broadcaster-owned platforms distributing only their own channels and live streams on social media intermediaries are excluded.
• Authorisation Framework:
  • National service area coverage
  • Initial validity of 20 years, renewable for 10-year periods
  • Application fee of ₹10,000 and one-time entry fee of ₹1 lakh
  • No authorisation fee, bank guarantee, or security deposit
• Compliance by OEMs and OS Providers: Only authorised ALTD apps should be available on devices and app stores, with annual compliance reporting to MIB.
• Internet-Native Channels: A simplified registration process for internet-native linear TV channels has been recommended.
• Consumer Protection: Application providers will serve as the primary point of contact for grievance redressal.
• Audience Measurement: ALTD viewership will be integrated into the national TV ratings framework, with anonymised data publication permitted under the TV Ratings Policy, 2026.

Implications

This framework is poised to transform India’s broadcasting sector by legitimizing and regulating app-based TV distribution. It ensures that consumers enjoy a safe, accountable viewing experience while encouraging innovation among service providers. By including ALTD in the audience measurement ecosystem, TRAI also ensures that advertisers and broadcasters gain a holistic view of television consumption trends across both traditional and digital platforms.

Conclusion

TRAI’s recommendations on ALTD services represent a progressive step toward harmonizing conventional broadcasting with digital innovation. With a light-touch regulatory approach, India is set to witness the orderly growth of Internet-based linear television, bridging the gap between traditional TV and modern streaming platforms.
For further details, TRAI has made the full recommendations available on its official website, and queries can be directed to Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (Broadcasting & Cable Services), TRAI, at +91-11-20907774.