India’s Urban Centres Are Increasingly Moving Towards Active And Shared Mobility: OMI Foundation’s EoM India Report 2022

* New Data from Ease of Moving Index 2022 Provides Unprecedented Look at India's Mobility Patterns

The ‘Ease of Moving’ is based on the globally recognised concepts of ‘sustainable development’ and the ‘ease of living’ as propounded by the United Nations and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, respectively 

EoMI presents a scorecard on the state of mobility in a city. It fosters a healthy competition among cities to strengthen their mobility infrastructure.

The report facilitates data-driven decision-making in mobility enhancing Safety, Accessibility, Reliability and Affordability of Urban Mobility in India

Chennai, 25th April ’23 - OMI Foundation’s Ease of Moving Index - India Report 2022 was jointly launched by Mr. Kunal Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission and Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, they commended the team at OMI Foundation for developing a comprehensive mobility index that captures commuter perception and highlights active and shared mobility choices. 

The Ease of Moving Index (EoMI) - India Report 2022, is based on India’s largest survey incorporating responses from 50,488 survey respondents, 220 FGD focus group discussion participants and data from government and other sources The exhaustive survey, which has been administered on-ground at multiple locations in these cities, informs over 100 sub-indicators which have subsequently been compiled into 41 indicators across 9 parameters. EoMI also pays particular attention to aspects of accessibility and inclusivity, recognizing the need that “Mobility for All” has to be the cornerstone of a thriving and vibrant active and shared mobility ecosystem.

The EoMI 2022 report reveals that Kochi holds the greatest promise for the adoption of active and shared mobility, while Bhubaneswar shines in terms of providing a seamless mobility experience. Aizawl emerged as a top performer in clean mobility, while Jabalpur has the lowest mobility expenditure. Kolkata leads the way in shared mobility adoption, and Pune boasts of the most inclusive mobility ecosystem. 

“Urban centres are the economic growth drivers in the country, and mobility plays a crucial role in empowering citizens to realize their true potential. India’s journey towards becoming a $10 trillion economy and beyond has to be fuelled by a sustainable, inclusive and efficient mobility system,” said OMI Foundation’s Managing Trustee and Former Indian Ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale.   

“Active and shared mobility choices have emerged as one of the key enablers of sustainable mobility, which when paired with technological innovation holds the promise of revolutionizing how Indian cities move,” added OMI Foundation Trustee Harish Abichandani.

“Ease of Moving Index - India Report, 2022 is OMI Foundation’s unique attempt to assist policymakers, as they adopt a data-driven approach to decision-making as India moves towards a sustainable and inclusive mobility system”, said OMI Foundation’s Executive Director Aishwarya Raman.

The EoMI also shares a comparison of key insights from citizens’ reported mobility patterns and perceptions between 2018 and 2022. Out of the 18 cities covered in both editions, 9 have witnessed a rise in public transport usage. Moreover, the comfort level perception has improved in 15 cities since 2018. It was also observed that 12 cities have received higher cleanliness ratings this year, indicating an improvement in the perception of public transport users towards its cleanliness. Walking and cycling are considered the optimal modes of transportation, particularly for first- and last-mile connectivity, and are often contingent on the availability of safe infrastructure, which has also improved since 2018 in the eyes of the respondents.

Key findings for Chennai from the Ease of Moving Index

In 2018, 25% respondents in Chennai believed that there was adequate cycling parking available at transit hubs, but this figure has now dropped dramatically to a mere 1% in 2022. Chennai also has the 4th highest adoption of active and shared mobility. About 50% of the cyclists perceive Chennai has adequate cycling infrastructure. Chennai scores the highest on the efficient and reliable mobility among all mega cities and third highest on the clean and reliable mobility parameter across all cities.?

SOME OTHER KEY FINDINGS FROM THE “EASE OF MOVING INDEX, 2022”

Twin cities of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad score the highest on Ease of Moving in 2022; closely followed by Mumbai and Coimbatore

Mumbaikars are among the lowest spenders on transport per month

Kolkata has the highest adoption of shared mobility  

Ahmedabad has the highest willingness to adopt electric vehicles 

Public transport usage among women and the trans/ non-binary is the highest in Ludhiana

Chennai has among the best cycling infrastructures in India

You can download the full report here: https://olawebcdn.com/ola-institute/easeofmoving-2022.pdf

SBI Inaugurates Its Fourth Startup Branch At Bandra Kurla Complex In Mumbai

The country's largest lender, the State Bank of India, inaugurated its fourth startup branch in Mumbai to provide all the necessary banking services to startups under one roof. Shri Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI, inaugurated the branch at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Leveraging its locational advantage, the startup branch in Mumbai has already entered into MoU with the Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT-Bombay, Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA), and S.P Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR).

For a city that houses the second largest unicorns in the country and a vast number of startups, the branch will provide expedient services to all of them to support the growth and transformation of the startups in India. 

Speaking on the occasion, SBI Chairman Shri Dinesh Khara said, “The primary aim of this branch is to provide end-to-end support to startups at every stage of their journey, starting from the formation of the entity to their IPOs and FPOs. Apart from regular banking services to startups, the branch will also act as a one-stop shop to provide investment banking, treasury/forex, advisory, and other ancillary financial services through the bank's subsidiaries”.

Besides startups, the bank also intends to cater to the requirements of private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).

About State Bank of India:

State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers, and employees. It is also the largest mortgage lender in the country which has so far fulfilled the home buying dreams of over 30 lakh Indian families. The home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs. 6.00 lakh crore. As on December 31, 2022, the bank has a deposit base of over Rs. 42.13 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 44.48% and advances of more than Rs. 31 lakh crore. SBI commands a market share of 33.3% and 19.4% in home loans and auto loans respectively. SBI has the largest network of 22,381 branches and 65,650 ATMs / ADWMs in India with 70,258 BC outlets. The number of customers using internet banking and mobile banking stand at 111 million and 58 million respectively. With SBI’s digital strategy right on track – the bank witnessed 64% of new savings accounts opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in FY22. SBI observed 22,120 new digital savings bank accounts being opened per day via YONO in the quarter ended December 2022. YONO, which has more than 5.75 crore registered users, witnessed more than 1 crore average daily logins in Q3 FY23. In terms of digital lending, the bank disbursed pre-approved personal loans worth Rs. 5,050 crore through YONO in the same period. SBI also has the highest number of followers on Facebook and Twitter amongst all banks worldwide.

Justdial To Digitize Maharashtra’s Small Scale Industries & Handicraft Artisans Through Strategic Partnership With MSSIDC

-          Justdial will help SSIs improve their digital footprints and reach a wider audience

-          Eligible SSIs will get access to Justdial’s various platforms, including JD Mart and JD Pay

Justdial, India's No. 1 hyperlocal search engine, announces a strategic partnership with Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (MSSIDC) under the aegis of the State Government of Maharashtra. This partnership aims to provide a digital presence to businesses registered under MSSIDC, including small scale industries (SSIs) and handicraft artisans. Justdial will enable these businesses to have an online presence and exposure, not only in Maharashtra, but all over India, creating a more inclusive and sustainable business ecosystem.

As part of the partnership agreement, MSSIDC-accredited businesses will receive verified tags and have their licenses showcased on Justdial's platforms, boosting their credibility and visibility. This will help these businesses reach out to a wider audience, including potential customers and investors, and enable them to tap into new markets

In reference to the collaboration, Mr. Shwetank Dixit, Vice President, Justdial, expressed his enthusiasm and stated, "Justdial has consistently strived to empower SSIs throughout India. Through this collaboration, we further strengthen our mission by working with MSSIDC to support their goal of promoting and nurturing a flourishing business ecosystem. Our objective is to assist MSSIDC-certified enterprises in establishing a digital presence, enabling them to expand their operations and reach a wider audience."

Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation, India's leading corporation, is continuously responding to the expanding and diversified needs of small-scale industries. It provides support services such as market linkage to Small Scale Industries & Artisans and Skill development training to Handicraft Artisans.

Commenting on the partnership, Shri. Rajendra Nimbalkar, Managing Director, Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation, said, “We are happy to partner with Justdial in order to enhance the digital presence of SSIs & Handicraft Artisans registered under MSSIDC. This collaboration will enable these businesses to expand their online reach and improve their overall growth prospects.”

Justdial's deep reach and penetration in the market will also provide eligible SSI access to JD Mart, India's fastest growing B2B platform.

The partnership between Justdial and MSSIDC will address the challenge of information asymmetry, providing eligible SSIs & Handicraft Artisans with access to pan-India markets, and helping them expand and grow sustainably. By creating a public-private partnership, the Maharashtra government aims to improve the ease of doing business in the state, promote entrepreneurship, and create a sustainable business ecosystem.

About Just Dial Limited

Just Dial Limited provides local search related services to users in India through multiple platforms such as Desktop/PC website (https://www.justdial.com), mobile site (https://t.justdial.com), mobile apps (Android & iOS), over the telephone (Voice, pan India number 88888-88888) and text (SMS). Justdial’s latest version of JD App, is an All-in-One App, replete with features like Map-aided Search, Live TV, Videos, Stock quotes, etc. to make the life of the consumer infinitely smoother & more engaging.

The Company has recently launched its B2B marketplace platform, JD Mart. JD Mart platform, available at https://www.jdmart.com and via apps on Play Store and App Store, is aimed at enabling millions of India’s manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers to become internet-ready in post-COVID era, get new customers and sell their products online. The platform offers digital product catalogues to businesses and aims at digitalising India’s businesses, especially MSMEs, across categories. Buyers can discover quality vendors offering a wide selection of products to choose from, spread across millions of categories to suit all B2B needs.

Justdial has also initiated transaction-oriented services for its users. These services aim at making several day-to-day tasks conveniently actionable and accessible to users from one App. With this step, Justdial is transitioning from being purely a provider of local search and related information to being a direct/ indirect enabler of such transactions. Justdial has also recently launched an end-to-end business management solution for SMEs, through which it intends to transition thousands of SMEs to efficiently run business online and have their adequate online presence via their own website, mobile site. Apart from this, Justdial has also launched JD Pay, a unique solution for quick digital payments for its users and vendors.

L&T Construction Wins (Significant*) Orders For Its Power Transmission & Distribution Business

The Power Transmission & Distribution (PT&D) Business of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Construction has recently secured EPC orders in India and overseas.

Under the umbrella of the Reforms-based Results-linked Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), distribution utilities in the country have taken up various modernization measures to improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability. To significantly reduce the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses at pan-India level is an important objective of the scheme towards which, the discoms undertake several distribution infrastructure improvements such as segregating feeders, reconductoring, cabling, augmenting line networks and elements, geo- tagging of assets, etc.

The Business has secured orders to develop distribution infrastructure in two discom circles of western Rajasthan.

The Business has also bagged a power supply system order for the second phase of Chennai Metro. The scope includes Design, Supply, Installation and Commissioning of Receiving Substations (RSS), Auxiliary Substations (ASS) and SCADA system for the northern sections of Corridors 3 & 5. The 110kV Gas Insulated Receiving Substations get incoming supply from the Grid and feed power supply to the traction and station requirements. 33kV Auxiliary Substations interconnected through 33kV cable system feed the auxiliary loads of metro stations such as lighting, ventilation, lifts etc. Related Control & Protection systems are also included in the scope.

Further, In the overseas market, the PT&D Business has won an order to supply, construct, test, and commission a 132kV substation in the United Arab Emirates.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality has enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

Cleartrip Augments Its Hotel Offerings; Unveils ‘Premium Getaways’

In a bid to strengthen its hotel business, Cleartrip, a Flipkart Company, unveiled - Premium Getaways, offering unmatched luxury travel experiences. Currently, this service has been introduced in partnership with over 40 hotels across 25+ destinations. Over the next 6 months, the coverage will be across 500+ Hotels covering all major tourist destinations. These handpicked suites of holiday packages are available at highly competitive prices and equipped with superior services.

Right from the amenities to locations, all the properties under ‘Premium Getaways’ are selected based on comprehensive market research and insights from Cleartrip’s large user base. Some popular destinations include Manali, Coorg, Jaipur, and Munnar. Travellers can take advantage of these offerings and plan a memorable extravaganza this summer.

The company has also initiated a complete revamp of the UI/UX of hotel offerings to enable a seamless user experience. Every feature is designed to help a traveller make an informed decision at every step of their booking journey. This includes transparent pricing (no hidden costs), mention of available and unavailable amenities, expansive property visuals, and customer reviews.

Speaking on the new development, Manu Sasidharan, Head of Hotels and Accommodation, Cleartrip, stated, “As we embark on a new journey with our hotel category, we have innovated like never before to elevate the customer experience. Like all our offerings, our commitment to our users and to simplify travel without compromising quality has led to the launch of ‘Premium Getaways’ and the upgrade of the UI/UX on our platform. This revamp will further boost the trademark pillars of the platform, making it more intuitive and uncluttered.”

He added, “In the post-pandemic world, luxury travel emerged as a key aspiration for travellers across the board. With ‘Premium Getaways’, we look forward to addressing this demand successfully and giving our customers an unforgettable experience. We will continue to expand our offerings in line with the desires of the travellers across the board.”

In the coming months, Cleartrip will continue to upgrade its UI/UX for better user engagement on its platform. Hotels will be integral to Cleartrip’s growth vision in 2023 and will be the main driver from a customer acquisition, customer engagement and business growth perspective. The company recently saw a spike of 3.5x bookings in hotels during their successful NationOnVacation summer sale campaign.

About Cleartrip

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired 100% of Cleartrip’s shareholding, and subsequently, Adani Enterprises acquired a significant minority stake in Cleartrip in October 2021. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings such as ‘CT Flexmax, CT Flex, and CT Upgrade’, Cleartrip has a clear vision to disrupt the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights and hotels, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and exclusive content.

Birla Estates Acquires Premium Land For A Luxury Residential Project At Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill

* The super luxury residences at Walkeshwar holds a revenue potential of over INR 600 Cr

Birla Estates Private Limited, the real estate arm of the Aditya Birla Group housed under Century Textiles and Industries Limited, today announced that it has acquired prime land parcel in South Mumbai’s upmarket residential area of Walkeshwar at Malabar Hill. The luxury project will hold a revenue potential of over INR 600 Cr.

Following the recent success of Birla Niyaara in Worli, Birla Estates is all set to enter the super luxury real estate market with the launch of boutique residences in one of Mumbai’s most upscale areas. The latest project in South Mumbai offers effortless connectivity and ease of access to key entertainment, retail and businesses, and city hotspots.

Mr. K T Jithendran, MD and CEO, Birla Estates said, "Our acquisition of this prime plot of land in Walkeshwar is a significant milestone for Birla Estates, as it aligns perfectly with our long-term growth strategy to create a niche in the luxury housing segment. We are excited about the opportunity to create bespoke boutique residences in one of the most sought-after locations in South Mumbai. This project will undoubtedly set a new benchmark for luxury living in the city, and we are committed to delivering a world-class development that exceeds the expectations of our discerning clientele."

Birla Estates, a key growth engine of Century Textiles and Industries Ltd (CTIL), currently has many projects across key markets in the country. With this latest acquisition, the company is all set to provide modern homebuyers a one-of-a-kind experience of exquisite living with world-class amenities and unmatched sea views.

About Birla Estates:

Birla Estates Private Limited, a 100 per cent wholly owned subsidiary of Century Textiles and Industries Limited is the real estate venture of the Aditya Birla Group. In a short span of time Birla Estates has established itself as a brand of choice in the real estate industry.  Birla Estates develops premium residential housing in key markets. The company is developing land parcels both through outright purchases as well as asset light Joint Ventures apart from developing its own land parcels. In the long term, the company is focused on developing world class residential, commercial and mixed use properties and aims to be amongst the top real estate companies in India. The company’s focus is on differentiating through sustainability, execution excellence, customer centricity and thoughtful design. 

The company is headquartered at Mumbai and currently has regional offices in NCR and Bengaluru and also has a well- established commercial portfolio with 2 grade-A commercial buildings located in Worli, Mumbai with ~6 lakh square feet of leasable area. 

Currys Selects LTIMindtree As Its Core Digital Transformation Partner

LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, has announced that it has been selected as a key digital transformation partner by Currys, UK’s leading retailer of technology products and services. During this five-year engagement, Currys will leverage LTIMindtree’s extensive retail business consulting and technology capabilities to deliver the next phase of omnichannel transformation to its consumers and employees.

This new partnership builds on LTIMindtree’s successful delivery of a connected and highly personalized omnichannel shopping experience for Currys’ consumers across multiple markets since 2022. The last 12 months have shown that Omnichannel is the preferred model for consumers and Currys is building on this trend.

“We are delighted to select LTIMindtree as our key digital partner for the second phase of our transformation journey. Consolidating our consumer technology and transformation initiatives with a trusted partner was an easy decision, given their technical excellence and deep industry knowledge,” said Arron D’Aubney, Chief Technology Officer, Currys. “Our previous engagement with LTIMindtree has been critical in our evolution as a ‘digital-first’ omnichannel retailer. Today, omnichannel remains the preferred mode for consumers as Currys builds on its strengths. Through this renewed partnership, Currys is confident of streamlining its ever-growing employee engagement, enhancing consumer satisfaction, and achieving sustainable business growth to match its mission of making technology accessible to all”, he added.

The multi-million-dollar collaboration aims to enhance Currys’ omnichannel revenue stream and drive cost transformation. Consequently, it will also enable Currys to strengthen its market position.

“Our journey with Currys is a testament to LTIMindtree’s capabilities in the retail space. We have successfully delivered the best-in-class omnichannel shopping experience for their consumers. In this next phase, we remain committed to leveraging our digital expertise to drive their overall transformation goals,” said Debashis Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, LTIMindtree. “At LTIMindtree, we understand the importance of having the right partner to drive strategic transformation initiatives, and we are honored to be that partner for Currys”, he added.

LTIMindtree will help Currys modernize their systems by consolidating and simplifying consumer and employee-facing applications, leading to accelerated innovation, increased efficiency, and an overall improved end-user experience.

About LTIMindtree:

LTIMindtree is a global technology consulting and digital solutions company that enables enterprises across industries to reimagine business models, accelerate innovation, and maximise growth by harnessing digital technologies. As a digital transformation partner to more than 700 clients, LTIMindtree brings extensive domain and technology expertise to help drive superior competitive differentiation, customer experiences, and business outcomes in a converging world. Powered by nearly 90,000 talented and entrepreneurial professionals across more than 30 countries, LTIMindtree — a Larsen & Toubro Group company — combines the industry-acclaimed strengths of erstwhile Larsen and Toubro Infotech and Mindtree in solving the most complex business challenges and delivering transformation at scale. For more information, please visit www.ltimindtree.com.

About Currys plc.:

Currys plc is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating online and through 826 stores in 8 countries. We Help Everyone Enjoy Amazing Technology, however they choose to shop with us.

In the UK & Ireland we trade as Currys; in the Nordics under the Elkjøp brand and as Kotsovolos in Greece. In each of these markets we are the market leader, employing 30,000 capable and committed colleagues. Our full range of services and support makes it easy for our customers to discover, choose, afford and enjoy the right technology for them, throughout their lives. The Group’s operations include state-of-the-art repair facilities in Newark, UK, a sourcing office in Hong Kong and an extensive distribution network, enabling fast and efficient delivery to stores and homes.

Our vision, we help everyone enjoy amazing technology, has a powerful social purpose at its heart. We believe in the power of technology to improve lives, help people stay connected, productive, healthy, and entertained. We’re here to help everyone enjoy those benefits and with our scale and expertise, we are uniquely placed to do so.

We’re a leader in giving technology a longer life through repair, recycling and reuse. We’re reducing our impact on the environment in our operations and our wider value chain and we will achieve net zero emissions by 2040. We offer customers products that help them save energy, reduce waste and save water, and we partner with charitable organisations to bring the benefits of amazing technology to those who might otherwise be excluded.