Tata Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Government of Maharashtra to restore 1,000 water bodies in over 20 districts in the water-stressed regions of the state.

By utilising the ‘Gal Mukt Dharan Gal Yukt Shivar Yojana’, a community-based de-siltation programme, in collaboration with the Maharashtra government's Soil and Water Conservation Department, NAAM Foundation, and local communities, Tata Motors successfully revitalised 356 water bodies in Maharashtra in 2024. Approximately six million cubic metres of silt were excavated as a consequence of the initiative in 10 districts: Pune, Palghar, Thane, Satara, Dhule, Solapur, Chandrapur, Ahmednagar, Beed and Latur. In addition to helping 7,000 farmers, this cooperative effort has greatly increased the water table and enhanced access to drinkable water in rural Maharashtra, creating a capacity of almost seven billion litres of water.

Tata Motors now plans to expand the water conservation programme to more than 20 districts throughout the state, including the water-scarce areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha. In Amravati, Latur, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Nanded, Parbhani, Akola, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal, Dharashiv, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ahilya Nagar, Sangli, Solapur, Pune, Palghar, Thane and other districts of the state, the planned partnership seeks to revitalise and revitalise a thousand water bodies. The programme's implementation partner will be NAAM Foundation.

Gal Mukt Dharan Gal Yukt Shivar Yojana gives farmers with preapproved funding for silt delivery to their farms, hence improving soil fertility. The end-to-end digital monitoring method assures project agility and transparency throughout. The success and effect of water body rehabilitation in Maharashtra demonstrate Tata Motors' commitment to long-term development and rural community upliftment.

Vinod Kulkarni, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Tata Motors, said, “We are immensely proud to have strengthened our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and NAAM Foundation to address the impact of droughts and water scarcity in the state. The successful rejuvenation and restoration of 356 water bodies in 2024 has encouraged us to scale up the programme to over 20 districts and reach many more villages in Maharashtra. This programme strives to raise the water table, provide access to potable water, make irrigation water available throughout the year, thus improving livelihood for villagers.”

Priya Khan, Officer on Special Duty – Chief Minister’s Office, Government of Maharashtra, said, “The Government of Maharashtra launched the 'Gal Mukt Dharan, Gal Mukt Shivar Yojana’ to increase water capacity of existing dams and water bodies. This programme has evolved into a people’s movement thanks to the invaluable support of our partner organisations like Tata Motors and NAAM Foundation. Together, we are not just restoring water bodies; we are fostering resilience and sustainability to reduce the impact of recurring droughts in the state.”

Ganesh Thorat, CEO – NAAM Foundation, said, “The NAAM Foundation began addressing Maharashtra's acute water shortage in 2015. Our partnership with Tata Motors and the Government of Maharashtra is a significant milestone towards these efforts. Last year we collectively expanded our work to 10 districts. We are happy to see that the positive impact of the water conservation efforts will now reach more districts.”

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Piaggio Vehicles, one of the leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers, has expanded its electric passenger portfolio with the launch of the Ape WavE L3 electric three-wheeler at INR 255,000 (ex-showroom).

The Ape WavE is powered by a 5.4 kWh battery, a 3 kW motor and provides 25 Nm of torque. It reaches a top speed of 40 kmph, features 19 percent gradeability and offers a range of approximately 90 km. The charging time for the unit is 4.5 hours.

The electric three-wheeler features a monocoque chassis & metal body and ground clearance of 180 mm.

Diego Graffi, Chairman & MD, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “India’s electric mobility landscape is evolving rapidly, particularly in the passenger three-wheeler category where customers are looking for dependable and economically viable solutions. With the Ape WavE, we are introducing a product that has been developed specifically to meet the needs of drivers seeking affordable ownership along with superior comfort, safety, and operational reliability. The vehicle reflects our understanding of Indian mobility requirements and reinforces our commitment towards sustainable transportation and livelihood generation across the country.”

Amit Sagar, Executive Vice-President CV Domestic Business and Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles, added, “The passenger EV segment continues to witness strong demand, particularly in markets where shared mobility and short-distance transportation play an important role in daily commuting. The Ape WavE has been designed to offer customers an ideal balance between acquisition cost, operational savings, and passenger experience. With robust build quality, low maintenance requirements, strong ride comfort, and trusted Ape reliability, the vehicle is expected to create a strong value proposition for drivers and fleet operators alike.”

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra Tractors has launched its latest product offering the YuvoTech+ 585 DI V1 in 2WD and 4WD options.

The tractor is powered by a mBULL engine and features a 12F + 3R transmission system, Multi-Speed PTO and a SLIPTO dual-clutch mechanism. It includes a hydraulic system for implements and is designed with power steering and an operator platform.

Harsh Rai, CEO, Mahindra Tractors, said, "We are proud to launch the YuvoTech+ 585 DI V1 across India following its successful introduction in select markets. Built on our fast-growing YuvoTech platform, this tractor combines advanced technology with robust performance and practical features. Its strong acceptance highlights our commitment to delivering quality, durability, and long-term value to farmers. With this nationwide rollout, we aim to empower farmers with a reliable and adaptable solution for their evolving needs."

The tractor is sold with a 6-year warranty through Mahindra dealerships across India.

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Chennai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has partnered with Rosmerta Recycling to facilitate the scrappage of end-of-life commercial vehicles.

The collaboration aims to support the Government of India’s Voluntary Vehicle Modernisation Program and the Naya Safar Scheme, which targets the reduction of transport emissions in the Delhi-NCR region.

As part of the understanding, Ashok Leyland will use its dealer network to provide customers with access to Rosmerta Recycling’s Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities. This service includes support for deregistration and statutory documentation. Customers availing the scrappage service can receive value for their vehicles, discounts on new purchases and waivers on road tax and registration fees in accordance with government policy.

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head, Ashok Leyland, said, "India has a significant population of ageing commercial vehicles, making an organised, transparent and customer-friendly scrappage ecosystem essential. Through our partnership with Rosmerta Recycling, we are making responsible vehicle disposal simpler while enabling customers to transition to newer, cleaner and more efficient commercial vehicles. This collaboration reinforces Ashok Leyland's commitment to sustainable mobility, circular economy principles and reducing emissions across the vehicle lifecycle."

Kartick Nagpal, President, Rosmerta Group, stated, "Our partnership with Ashok Leyland comes at a pivotal time, as the Government's recently approved commercial vehicle replacement initiatives are expected to accelerate organised vehicle scrappage across India. The mandatory scrappage of BS-III and older commercial vehicles through authorised RVSFs – covering an estimated 207,000 vehicles in Delhi-NCR – is a significant step towards cleaner mobility and a stronger circular economy. At Rosmerta Recycling, we remain committed to scientific dismantling, maximising material recovery, and maintaining the highest environmental and regulatory standards to build a sustainable vehicle recycling ecosystem.”

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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the replacement scheme for commercial vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region.

Under the agreement, Eicher Trucks & Buses will provide an 8 percent discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible vehicles. CV customers can also receive additional support regarding motor vehicle tax, registration fees, interest subvention and fuel benefits, as defined by the scheme criteria. The process will be managed through a digital platform integrated with the VAHAN database and the vehicle scrapping ecosystem.

S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “For over 4 decades, Eicher Trucks and Buses customers have driven modernisation in the Indian CV industry. Carrying this tradition, Eicher Trucks and Buses is pleased to join hands with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on their path-breaking policy to replace old and polluting vehicles from the NCR region. Eicher customers will gain from the substantial incentives offered by the Government of India and State Governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan under this program."

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