Economy

The depot’s system is built around phytoremediation, an eco-friendly process in which plants and associated biological activity help remove or reduce contaminants from water. At Kankaria, this natural treatment is combined with a multi-stage purification chain that includes wetland-based cleansing, followed by carbon filtration, sand filtration, and ultraviolet disinfection before the water is reused for operational purposes.

The latest numbers also show that the ecosystem is becoming broader and more inclusive. More than 1.07 lakh recognised startups now have at least one woman director or partner, accounting for roughly 48 percent of the total.

That distinction matters. India already entered the Vande Bharat sleeper era in January 2026 with the first commercial service on the Howrah–Kamakhya route, and official railway releases say the new sleeper format carried 1.21 lakh passengers across 119 trips in its first three months, with occupancy above 100 percent.

The launch is also significant because it builds on VinFast’s local manufacturing base in Tamil Nadu. The company inaugurated its EV assembly plant at SIPCOT Industrial Park, Thoothukudi, in August 2025, describing it as its first facility outside Vietnam.

Dr. Singh said India’s broader energy roadmap seeks to balance sustainability with energy security. He pointed to plans for nearly $100 billion in oil and gas investments, expansion of exploration areas to 1 million square kilometres, and a target to raise natural gas’s share in the energy mix to 15 percent. He added that India’s refining capacity is also continuing to grow, reinforcing the country’s standing in the global energy sector.

India is expected to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies even as the

The latest state-wise data shows that Maharashtra, the country’s top producer, posted the sharpest increase, with output rising 23% to 9.92 million tonnes as of April 15, 2026, up from 8.06 million tonnes a year earlier. Karnataka, the third-largest producer, also recorded a strong gain, with production climbing 16.7% to 4.71 million tonnes from 4.04 million tonnes.