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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Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has showcased its range of Euro 6-compliant trucks and buses tailored for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, marking its largest regional unveiling.

The new range reflects the company’s ‘Better Always’ philosophy and is designed to support the region’s transition to cleaner mobility. The vehicles, built for cargo and passenger transport, were engineered and tested across demanding terrains to deliver comfort, operational efficiency and enhanced safety.

Asif Shamim, Head – International Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “As the MENA region continues to advance its economic diversification and infrastructure ambitions, there is a growing demand for smarter, efficient and advanced mobility solutions. Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has been a trusted partner in this journey for about six decades, and the latest range of trucks and buses reflect our long-term commitment to stay ahead of the curve. This comprehensive line-up is engineered to deliver superior performance and reliability, enabling our customers to run businesses efficiently. We are confident that these offerings will set new benchmarks and further strengthen our role in shaping the region’s evolving mobility landscape.”

The showcased models include a spectrum of mobility solutions:

Passenger Mobility Solutions:

• LPO 1622: Available in 11-metre and 12-metre lengths, featuring a Cummins engine, ABS with Electronic Stability Control and cruise control.
• Starbus Prime LP 716: A 28-seater bus with a new-gen 3.3-litre engine, built for school and staff transport, including ABS, ESC and Hill Start Assist.
• Ultra LPO 916: A 33-seater bus offering fuel-efficiency and reliability.

Cargo Mobility Solutions:

• Ultra Range: Built on Tata Motors’ smart truck platform, available from 7-9 tonnes configuration, suitable for intra-city logistics.
• Prima 3430.T: Powered by the 6.7-litre Cummins engine generating 300 HP of power and 1100 Nm of torque, ideal for long-haul operations.
• Prima 3330.K: A tipper designed for productivity in construction and mining operations.

Tata Motors offers a commercial vehicle portfolio in over 40 countries. The company also offers regional support with over 100 strategically located service centres, extended warranty options and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC).

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IVECO BUS has won Lot 1 of Italy’s latest Consip tender to supply natural gas-powered minibuses to Italy. The award covers 80 DAILY CNG minibuses: 30 urban (Class I) and 50 interurban (Class II) vehicles.

The model selected is the Daily 70C14 CNG with Indcar body, chosen for its operational capability and low environmental effect.

The 80 minibuses include an 8-speed automatic gearbox, rear air suspension and methane tanks for range. A separate driver’s cab aids safety. All vehicles meet current safety rules and feature advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), a fire suppression system, a TPMS tyre pressure monitoring system, route indicators, an AVM system, CCTV cameras and a passenger counting system.

Giorgio ZINO, Head of IVECO BUS Commercial Operations in Europe, said, “Being awarded this important Consip tender confirms the relevance and reliability of our offering, particularly in the methane-powered vehicle segment, where we have solid experience. The DAILY CNG minibuses represent a concrete and effective solution to support the ecological transition of public transport, combining environmental sustainability, safety, and comfort. We are proud to actively contribute to a more responsible mobility model that serves local communities.”

The Urban Models (Class I) minibuses can accommodate 14 seated passengers, 14 standing passengers and a space for wheelchair users, accessible via a manual ramp. Seats are monocoque to resist vandalism.

On the other hand, the Interurban Models (Class II) offer 22 seated places, 5 standing places and a space for passengers with reduced mobility, also with a manual ramp. Seats are fabric-upholstered and include hand grips.

The company shared that the compact size and level of customisation make the Daily CNG vehicles useful for both urban and interurban operation, supporting comfort, safety and operational effectiveness.

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The India-Japan Fund (IJF), managed by the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF), has announced an investment of INR 5 billion (USD 57 million) in Pune-headquartered electric commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility.

The capital infusion aligns with IJF's objective to invest in the climate segment and accelerate investments within the India-Japan corridor. EKA Mobility, a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries, focuses on electric commercial vehicles developed with in-house R&D and technology.

The funding will support EKA Mobility’s plans to increase its manufacturing capacity, advance research and development, improve its supply chain infrastructure and enhance marketing efforts for domestic and international markets. EKA Mobility's existing shareholders include VDL Groep (Netherlands), Mitsui & Co, (Japan) and ENAM Holdings (India).

Krishna Kumar, Partner & Fund Head, IJF, said, “Our investment in EKA Mobility continues to reflect our confidence in India’s electric mobility potential and the capability of homegrown OEMs to drive meaningful change in the market. IJF is supporting enterprises that are shaping India’s journey to a low-carbon economy, and also committed to promoting India-Japan business partnerships. We are glad to support Eka Mobility's growth in the sustainable commercial transportation segment, wherein it combines its technical, design capabilities and manufacturing infrastructure to take advantage of India's transition in the mobility segment.”

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of EKA Mobility, added: “We are proud to have NIIF as a strategic partner in our growth journey. This investment comes at a crucial time as we expand operations, strengthen our R&D, and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across India. NIIF’s support reinforces our shared vision of creating sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready transportation solutions.”

The company's zero-emission vehicle portfolio spans electric buses, intercity coaches, three-wheeler passenger and cargo vehicles, heavy-duty trucks and small commercial vehicles.

EKA Mobility has confirmed orders for over 3,300 electric buses from state government procurements, municipal corporation contracts, and private commercial fleets. The collaboration supports the Indian government’s objectives on electrification of public transport and domestic manufacturing under the Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

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Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has secured an order for supplying 1,937 buses to the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings (TNSTU). The order further reinforces Ashok Leyland's partnership with the TNSTU, which currently operates over 21,000 of the company's buses.

The new buses will feature the advanced iGen6 BS VI technology and are designed for passenger comfort. The order includes a mix of fully built and chassis configurations for town, mofussil and SETC (State Express Transport Corporation) applications. Each vehicle is built on the AIS 153-compliant chassis platform, which meets the latest Indian safety and performance regulations.

The order for a mix of the new Viking and SETC models offer features to meet the needs of public transport:

• Power Needs: All Town / Mofussil and SETC buses have an upgraded Battery and Alternator to meet the power needs of Advanced ITMS (Intelligent Transport Management Systems).
• Safety: High-speed Mofussil and SETC buses are equipped with Electronic Stability Control for improved stability.
• Comfort: Urban Low Entry and Semi Low Floor buses (650mm) include automatic transmission and air suspension, and are equipped with a wheelchair ramp for passengers with special needs.

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings through this significant order. Tamil Nadu has always been an important market for us, and this order is a testament to the trust and confidence our customers place in Ashok Leyland’s technology and performance. This order win reinforces our dedication to creating efficient and technologically advanced products that exceed our customers' expectations and contribute to the growth of public transportation. Our focus continues to be on developing advanced, safe and efficient mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of public transportation in India.”

Mohan K, Head Bus - MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are thrilled to have received this order from the Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings for 1937 buses. Tamil Nadu has always been one of our most valued markets, and we take great pride in being a key partner in strengthening the state’s public transport system. These advanced buses, equipped with the latest safety, technology and comfort features, underscore our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and safe mobility solutions. We remain dedicated to supporting the government’s vision of providing modern and sustainable transportation for the people of Tamil Nadu.”

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