Tesla, Navi Mumbai Airport, Hydrogen Train

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It’s March 6. Today, we’re covering Tesla’s India debut, trouble at Navi Mumbai’s new airport, and a hydrogen-powered train. Plus, job openings at Salesforce, Trilegal, cool AI startups, and more in Who’s Hiring at the end.

Policy & Governance

> Bombay HC Cancels Navi Mumbai Airport Land Acquisition
The Bombay High Court has struck down the land acquisition for Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), citing procedural flaws and legal non-compliance. The ruling follows petitions from farmers challenging a 2013 notification for acquiring land in Vahal village. The court found that CIDCO and the Maharashtra government failed to conduct a mandatory inquiry required under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

Sources say low-cost carriers like IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa are planning to shift operations to the $2.1 billion, Adani-developed NMIA. The airport is targeting a May opening, though connectivity challenges remain due to the lack of high-speed transport links between NMIA and Mumbai’s existing airport. (India Today, Bloomberg)

> First Hydrogen Train to Launch Soon
India is set to roll out its first hydrogen-powered train, built by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The train will run on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat route under Northern Railway. As part of its green push, the Railways Ministry had allocated ₹2,800 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24 to develop 35 hydrogen fuel cell-based trains. (Economic Times)

> Govt Approves ₹7,000 Cr Ropeway Projects to Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand costing ₹7,000 crore. One will connect Sonprayag to Kedarnath, and the other will link Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib. These ropeways are expected to benefit 1.5–2 lakh annual pilgrims and tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers, reducing travel time to the high-altitude pilgrimage sites. (The Hindu)

> British Man Jailed Without Trial for Six Years Released
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Christian James Michel, a British arms consultant detained in India for six years without trial over the AgustaWestland helicopter bribery scandal. Michel, extradited from the UAE in 2018, is accused of bribing Indian officials to secure a multimillion-dollar defence contract but denies the charges. The court noted his pre-trial detention was “alarmingly close” to the maximum seven-year sentence for money laundering. (BBC)

> Gujarat Emerges as Trafficking Hub for Illegal US Entry
The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered a vast human trafficking network using Canadian student visas to facilitate illegal entry into the US. Officials estimate that 4,000-4,500 agents operate across India, with 2,000 based in Gujarat alone. The scheme involves securing admissions in Canadian colleges, many near the US border, from where migrants cross illegally. (Telegraph India)

Business

Air India Fires Trainer Pilot, Grounds 10 Pilots Pending Probe
Air India has terminated a trainer pilot and removed 10 pilots from flying duties after a whistleblower alleged lapses in recurrent simulator training. A detailed probe confirmed the claims, leading to the trainer’s dismissal and precautionary grounding of the trained pilots. The Tata-owned airline reported the matter to DGCA and commended the whistleblower. Further details on the trainer pilot and related actions remain undisclosed. (Indian Express)

Tesla Leases First India Showroom in Mumbai
Tesla has signed a five-year lease for its first showroom in Mumbai, marking its entry into the Indian market. The showroom, located in the Bandra Kurla Complex, spans 4,003 sq. ft. and will cost Tesla $446,000 in rent for the first year, according to registration papers. The move aligns with the company’s push to sell imported EVs in India amid ongoing trade discussions over auto tariffs. (Reuters)

U.S. Pushes for Zero Car Tariffs in India Trade Deal
The United States is pressing India to eliminate car import tariffs as part of a potential trade deal, but New Delhi remains hesitant about cutting duties to zero immediately, sources said. India’s high auto tariffs (up to 110%) will be a key point in upcoming trade negotiations, which could pave the way for Tesla’s entry into the Indian market. While India is considering further reductions, it remains cautious about fully removing the barriers. (Reuters)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Uber Launches Teen Accounts in India
Uber has begun piloting its Uber for Teens service in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai, with plans to expand to 35 cities, including Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune. The service allows teens (13-17 years old) to request rides independently while parents can track trips in real time and enable audio recording. (TechCrunch)

> Darwinbox Raises $140M to Expand Globally
Indian HR tech startup Darwinbox has raised $140 million, bringing its total funding to $270 million. The company, which competes with Rippling and Deel, is expanding aggressively in the U.S. and other international markets, with 60% of its revenue now coming from outside India. (TechCrunch)

> Ola Electric Gets Crores in Incentives
Ola Electric has received ₹73.7 crore under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automotive and Auto Component, making it the first two-wheeler EV manufacturer in India to qualify. The scheme, launched in 2021 with a ₹25,938 crore budget, aims to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency in the automotive sector. (Moneycontrol)

> AI Startups Moving to the U.S. for Funding & Growth
India’s AI startups are increasingly relocating to the U.S. due to better funding opportunities and a more mature market, as local investors struggle to grasp AI infrastructure and adoption remains slow. While AI application startups can still raise capital in India, infrastructure-focused ventures require larger rounds, which are harder to secure domestically. (Outlook Business)

Health & Society

Home Prices and Rents Rising Faster Than Inflation
India’s home prices are expected to surge 6.5% this year and 6.0% in 2026, outpacing consumer inflation, which is projected at 4.3%-4.4%. A Reuters poll found that urban rents will rise even faster—by 7%-10%—as high-income buyers continue to drive the housing market, while stagnant wages and slowing economic growth leave many priced out. (Reuters)

Quick Hits

An avalanche struck the Sonamarg region in J&K, no casualties were reported.

The Supreme Court directed authorities to conduct a tree census around the Taj Mahal.

Two earthquakes - 5.7 and 4.1 - struck Manipur causing cracks in some buildings.

Delhi High Court will rule on whether MOD donuts attract bakery (5%) or restaurant (18%) GST.

Worth a Look

Ahead of the Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand, here’s a heartwarming video of Indian cricketers celebrating the semifinal win against Australia.

Who’s Hiring

> Salesforce – $275 billion SaaS company hiring engineers, corporate counsels, account executives, and more.

> Weights & Biases – AI developer platform hiring an AI Engineer and AI Customer Support Engineer. Raised $250 million in funding.

> Lossfunk – AI lab soon to hire a chief of staff. Founder Paras Chopra recently sold his previous startup for $200 million.

> imagined inc. – Design studio hiring growth generalists. Clients include Zerodha, Xiaomi, and Simpl.

> Trilegal – Top-tier law firm hiring an employment lawyer (5-10 years PQE).

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