Coromandel And Mahindra Krish-e Collaborate To Provide Drone Spraying Services For Indian Farmers
- By MT Bureau
- December 18, 2024
Agri-solutions provider Coromandel International Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES) business vertical, Krish-e, have signed a memorandum of association (MoU) to extend Coromandel’s Gromor Drive drone spraying services to Indian farmers.
Pilots with RPTO training assist Gromor Drive in its operations, which are now carried out in seven important states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. With the help of its subsidiary, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, which guarantees dependable drone supply, pilot training and service support, Coromandel's drone services are positioned uniquely in the industry. Coromandel has a clear competitive advantage in this developing market thanks to this backward integration. Through the Krish-e Kheti Ke Liye App and other technology-driven farm solutions provided by Mahindra's FES, the cooperation further improves accessibility to these services with the goal of sustainably maximising farmers' revenue and enhancing the overall agricultural value chain.
Amir Alvi, Chief Operating Officer – Fertiliser Business, Coromandel, said: “Coromandel’s Gromor Drive offers significant advancements in efficiency, scalability and convenience for agricultural practices to farmers. This (non-binding) MoU signing between Coromandel’s Gromor Drive and Mahindra Krish-e represents a pivotal moment in our journey towards transforming the agricultural landscape of India by making drone spraying accessible to farmers. We aim to reduce their input costs, increase productivity, and improve farm profitability through this collaboration. Coromandel’s Gromor Drive, backed by the company’s subsidiary Dhaksha Unmanned Systems, brings in the added advantage of in-house developed cutting-edge agricultural drones, in addition to its fleet of certified drone pilots. We are confident that this collaboration will unlock new opportunities for innovation, create value for our stakeholders, and most importantly, make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of farmers.”
Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, “With Krish-e’s well-established presence across the country and Coromandel’s experienced Gromor Drive fleet, we are pleased to take the benefits of drones to many more Indian farmers. A significant step towards enhancing productivity and lowering a farmer’s exposure to powerful chemicals, drone technology can enable selective spraying of fertiliser and chemicals on crops while also ensuring improved yield. The partnership will ensure accessibility of drone spraying for Krish-e customers through the Krish-e Kheti ke Liye App, on a pay-per-acre basis.”
New Holland Launches HD And XHD Series Rotary Tillers In India
- By MT Bureau
- June 23, 2026
New Holland, a brand of CNH Group, has expanded its farm mechanisation portfolio in India with the launch of its new HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers (Rotavators). The new range is manufactured at the company’s facility in Pune.
The equipment is designed for diverse soil types and agro-climatic zones, aiming to improve soil preparation, productivity, and field performance. A high swing diameter facilitates deeper tillage, improving seed-to-soil contact. The heavy-duty multi-speed gearbox allows farmers to adjust operations based on specific soil conditions, which the company states helps optimise fuel use and save time. The units incorporate Metal Twin-Faced (MTF) seals to protect the rotor hub from water ingress, and utilise DTM paint technology for corrosion resistance.
Tarun Khanna, Director Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, "Farm mechanisation is increasingly becoming a key driver of agricultural productivity and efficiency in India. As farmers look for equipment that can deliver superior performance, durability and operational efficiency, the demand for reliable mechanisation solutions continues to grow. The launch of our HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers reinforces New Holland's commitment to supporting Indian farmers with advanced implements that are engineered for demanding field conditions and designed to enhance productivity."
Following the national unveiling at the company's Greater Noida facility, New Holland plans to introduce the range through a series of dealer-level launches across India. This release is part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of agricultural implements to support modern farming practices.
Chartered Speed Deploys Electric Buses Across 18 Cities Under PM e-Bus Sewa
- By MT Bureau
- June 23, 2026
Chartered Speed is deploying nearly 3,000 electric buses across 18 cities in India as part of the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa & e-Drive Scheme. The company aims to enhance public transportation in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with the full network projected to cover 200 million kilometres annually.
To support these operations, Chartered Speed has implemented a technology-led infrastructure, including a Command & Control Centre for fleet monitoring and structured training programmes for drivers.
The company has already commenced operations with 55 electric buses, including 25 nine-metre buses (27-seaters) and 30 seven-metre buses (22-seaters) in Shillong, Meghalaya. The launch was led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Furthermore, in Rajasthan, it is managing an order for 876 buses across the state, with initial operations started for 29 buses in Jaipur and 18 buses in Bhilwara, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed, said, "The commencement of electric bus operations in Shillong, Jaipur and Bhilwara marks an important milestone in our larger vision of deploying 3,000 electric buses across 18 cities under the PM e-Bus Sewa & e-Drive Scheme. These deployments reflect the growing momentum of electric mobility adoption across India and reinforce our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation solutions. Through continued partnerships with state governments and transport authorities, we aim to make public transit cleaner, more accessible and more efficient while contributing meaningfully to India’s clean mobility journey."
Tata Motors Secures Orders For Over 3,400 Electric Commercial Vehicles
- By MT Bureau
- June 21, 2026
Mumbai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Tata Motors has secured orders for more than 3,400 electric commercial vehicles (eCVs), covering freight, logistics and passenger mobility sectors. The orders include approximately 2,000 small commercial vehicles (SCVs) & pick-ups, 900 trucks and 500 buses.
The eCVs will be deployed across industries, including e-commerce, logistics, FMCG, FMCD distribution, intra-city transport, mining and inter-city passenger travel.
The company stated that electric mobility in commercial vehicles is shifting from early adoption to large-scale deployment in India, with usage expanding across segments and real-world applications.
Tata Motors stated that it is leading this transition with the widest portfolio of electric commercial vehicles, supported by an enabling ecosystem that ensures electrification is both practical and profitable. Beyond vehicles, the company is partnering closely with fleet owners and customers to optimise performance, uptime, charging and financing across the entire lifecycle. As adoption of electric commercial vehicles deepens, Tata Motors remains focused on delivering customised, end-to-end solutions that enable customers to transition confidently and seamlessly to zero-emission mobility.
Portfolio Expansion
Over the past 12 months, Tata Motors has expanded its eCV portfolio to include Ace Pro EV, Ace EV, and Intra EV for distribution in the Small Commercial Vehicles segment.
Ultra EV range (7-12T), Prima EV 55T tractor and Prima EV 28T tipper in the Intermediate and Heavy-Duty segment. For passenger mobility, it has introduced the Starbus EV and Ultra EV buses.
Till date, Tata Motors has over 3,800 electric buses in operation, which have covered a cumulative distance of more than 550 million kilometres. Additionally, there are over 17,000 Tata eSCVs on the road.
To support the adoption of these vehicles, the company has established a charging network through partnerships with over 14 charge point operators, alongside financing solutions, fleet management tools via Fleet Edge and uptime assurance programmes.
- Prawaas 5.0
- Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India
- BOCI
- Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal
- Gujarat Luxury Cab Owners Association
- Gujarat Tourist Vehicles Operators Association
- MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications
Prawaas 5.0 Set To Convene In Gujarat to Shape India's Public Transport Future
- By MT Bureau
- June 09, 2026
Prawaas 5.0, India’s premier multimodal passenger mobility event, is scheduled to take place from 9–11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre (HEC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Guided by the central theme, ‘Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Public Transport,’ the flagship event will gather government authorities, fleet operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology developers and investors to accelerate the adoption of integrated, efficient and environmentally responsible public transit systems.
The 5th edition of the event is organised by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) and is hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal and co-hosted by both the Gujarat Luxury Cab Owners Association and the Gujarat Tourist Vehicles Operators Association. MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications serves as the event curator.
As India's transit sector undergoes a structural transformation driven by electrification, regulatory safety updates, and digital network integration, Prawaas 5.0 aims to serve as a catalyst for fostering dialogue between state transport undertakings, central policymakers and private fleet operators.
The event will also showcase intelligent transport systems (ITS), digital ticketing frameworks, AI-driven fleet telematics and clean-energy mobility solutions.
It provides an on-ground platform for new vehicle product launches, strategic business matchmaking and infrastructure investment.
Building upon its previous editions, the three-day convention is projected to secure comprehensive representation from all 36 Indian States and Union Territories. The last edition attracted over 15,000 industry professionals, more than 10,000 bus & car operators and featured over 300 leading mobility companies. The event was attended by more than 1,500 delegates, supported by over 60 expert speakers across technical panels and industry conferences.
The large-scale exhibition will serve as an interactive arena for stakeholders across the commercial mobility value chain to address current operating challenges, such as unit economics and infrastructure constraints, while establishing partnerships to modernise India's passenger transport network.

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