India Observers

  The Karnataka government has announced plans to construct South Asia's tallest skydeck in Bengaluru's Kempegowda Layout. Envisioned as a major tourism and infrastructure landmark, the skydeck will offer panoramic views of the city and beyond. Planned by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the structure will serve as a symbol of the city’s growth and modern urban design. It aims to boost tourism, attract investment, and create a unique recreational space for residents. The project aligns with Bengaluru's ambition to become a global city and is part of broader development initiatives under Kempegowda Layout’s master plan.

  Apple has announced the launch of its third retail outlet in India, set to open in the Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru. Following the successful openings in Mumbai and Delhi, this new store marks another step in the tech giant’s growing commitment to the Indian market. Located in one of Bengaluru's premier shopping destinations, the upcoming Apple Store is expected to offer the brand’s signature customer experience, featuring personalized support, hands-on product access, and the popular Today at Apple sessions. This expansion reflects Apple’s strategic focus on India as a key growth market, both in terms of sales and manufacturing. The Bengaluru store is anticipated to attract a strong customer base from the city’s tech-savvy population.

  The Karnataka government has approved a ₹3,273-crore proposal to develop Tata Intellion Park, a major IT and ITeS business hub in Whitefield, Bengaluru. This large-scale project aims to boost the state’s digital infrastructure and create significant employment opportunities. Spread across a substantial area, Tata Intellion Park will cater to leading technology and service-based companies. The project is expected to attract major investments and contribute to Bengaluru’s reputation as a global tech destination. With this move, the state strengthens its commitment to fostering innovation, supporting IT growth, and enhancing the ecosystem for high-tech industries.

  In a significant move towards promoting sustainable public transportation, the Karnataka cabinet has approved the induction of 4,000 electric buses into the state’s transport fleets. This initiative aligns with the state's efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and modernize public transit systems. The electric buses will be deployed across major cities and towns, including Bengaluru, to replace aging diesel-powered buses. This transition is expected to not only lower operational costs but also support the state’s commitment to green mobility under the National Electric Mobility Mission. The project will be implemented in phases, with necessary infrastructure such as charging stations being developed alongside. The government also plans to collaborate with private players and leverage central government support to ensure smooth execution. This decision marks a major milestone in Karnataka’s journey toward a cleaner and more efficient public transport system.

Settl, a co-living startup in India, has recently raised a significant amount of money, Rs 10 crore, to grow its business.  This funding was contributed by several investors, including Gruhas, a venture capital fund backed by Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha, and We Founder Circle.  Settl began in 2020 and focuses on providing comfortable and affordable living spaces for young professionals and millennials. These are people who are working and want a place to live that is easy to manage and convenient. The company operates in four major cities: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurugram, and Chennai. They have over 60 co-living centers across these cities, offering a total of 4,000 beds.  Their rental options include shared living spaces, individual rooms, or whole apartments, all furnished and equipped with modern facilities. The price for these accommodations ranges between Rs 12,500 to Rs 18,000 per bed. The money Settl has raised will be used for different purposes like increasing their...

ZestMoney is a company in Bengaluru that gives loans to people, especially those who don't have credit cards or other ways to borrow money.  Recently, they said they will stop working by the end of this month. Now, two other companies, Aditya Birla Finance, and DMI Finance, are thinking about buying ZestMoney . These companies, Aditya Birla Finance and DMI Finance, have worked with ZestMoney before. They are interested in ZestMoney's technology and the loans it has given to people, which are worth about ₹400 crore.  ZestMoney has many customers and a special technology that helps banks and other finance companies work together to give loans. This technology was made after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made new rules for digital lending in 2022. The talks about this deal are happening now, and they might reach an agreement soon. ZestMoney was started in 2015 by three people who know a lot about finance technology. It has grown big, with about 17 million users and acceptance i...

BHIVE Workspace, a well-known provider of flexible office spaces, has recently announced its acquisition of Praemenio, a company specializing in product engineering. Based in Bengaluru, BHIVE Workspace is a major player in the co-working sector. The company has stated that this acquisition includes both cash and equity, although the exact value of the deal hasn't been disclosed. One key aspect of this acquisition is that BHIVE will be bringing on board a team of 10 members from Praemenio, including its co-founders, Rohit Parab and Gaurav Gandhi. This integration is expected to significantly bolster BHIVE's operations.  The expertise from Praemenio will aid BHIVE in various areas like financial management, processing approvals, identifying issues, lead generation, and decision-making processes.  This support is crucial for efficiently managing BHIVE's extensive network of co-working spaces, which spans 1.5 million square feet across 25 locations. Shesh Rao Paplikar, the Foun...

  Bengaluru  is rejoicing with the recent inauguration of the Purple Line’s Whitefield — Challaghatta Metro corridor, offering commuters a seamless and efficient mode of transportation. The newly opened stretches, Baiyappanahalli-KR Pura (2.1 km) and Kengeri-Challaghatta (2.05 km), spanning a total of 43.49 km with 37 stations, promise a quicker journey of 93 minutes, reducing the regular run time by 11 minutes. The timely initiation of services on these stretches follows the directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The Purple Line, operating with six coaches, will conduct 180 trips daily, commencing from 5 am and concluding with the last train departing at 10:45 pm from Whitefield (Kadugodi) station. To cater to peak hours, Bengaluru  Metro  plans to adjust the train frequency in response to commuter demand. This development is poised to transform Bengaluru’s transportation landscape, linking the city’s east-...

Noida is emerging as a prominent tech hub, attracting major investments from companies like Microsoft, Dixon Technologies, and NTT. With the construction of the Jewar Airport underway, the Noida-Greater Noida-Yamuna Expressway region is becoming increasingly appealing for tech giants. Microsoft alone plans to invest Rs 1,800 crore, generating 3,000 job opportunities. Dixon Technologies aims to establish eight units, making the area a significant hub for mobile and home appliance manufacturing. Other players like  HCL , Tech Mahindra, and Yotta from the Hiranandani Group are contributing to the tech boom, solidifying Noida’s position on the tech map. The infrastructural developments, coupled with the impending airport, make Noida an ideal location for tech expansion. Companies such as Samsung, LG, Oppo, Vivo, and more are also expanding their operations in the region. The government’s focus on establishing Noida as a tech and manufacturing hub, including for medical devices, is evid...