India’s Sky Bus Vision: Gadkari Unveils Futuristic Leap in Urban Transit

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has revived India’s futuristic “Sky Bus” vision, showcasing electric pod-based aerial transit as a cheaper, faster, and zero-emission alternative to metros, with potential deployment in corridors like Delhi–Manesar and Mumbai–Pune. The concept emphasizes elevated string-rail systems carrying autonomous pods and double-decker trolleys above congested roads, aiming to cut traffic, reduce logistics costs, and expand urban mobility.

What is the Sky Bus?

हवा में उडनेवाली बस.. (Skybus), यह सिर्फ एक नई Transport Technology नहीं…

यह उस 🇮🇳 भारत की कल्पना है,
जहां Innovation का उद्देश्य सिर्फ गति नहीं, बल्कि जनसेवा, सुविधा और बेहतर भविष्य है।

नई सोच।
नई तकनीक।
नई ऊँचाई।
और गतिशील 🇮🇳भारत का भविष्य - SKY BUS#SKYBUS #Transport… pic.twitter.com/RqSGmlk6nr

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) October 1, 2026

• Elevated guideways: Narrow tracks supported by slender pillars on road medians, minimizing land use.
  
• Autonomous pods: Small electric vehicles for point-to-point commuting.
  
• Double-decker trolleys: Larger suspended carriers for rush-hour capacity.
  
• Dual-use corridors: Passenger transit during peak hours, cargo logistics off-peak.
  
• Zero-emission system: Fully electric, reducing pollution and congestion.
  

Why It Matters for India

• Cost-effective vs metros: Requires less capital and avoids disruptive land acquisition.
  
• Urban congestion relief: Ideal for Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Nagpur, and other metros.
  
• Logistics savings: Could lower freight costs by using elevated corridors for cargo.
  
• Global benchmarking: Inspired by systems tested in Sharjah and other international pilots.
  

Key Announcements Timeline

Event	Year	Highlight
Prayagraj DPR	2022	Feasibility study for Delhi–Prayagraj Skybus
Bengaluru pitch	2022	Proposal to examine Skybus/trolley-bus systems
Amritsar plan	2023	Cable-operated Skybus near Golden Temple
Delhi–Manesar corridor	2026	Active feasibility studies for deployment

Challenges Ahead

• Safety standards: Needs rigorous certification before mass adoption.
  
• Cost viability: Though cheaper than metros, large-scale rollout still requires investment.
  
• Implementation timeline: No official launch dates or funding approvals yet.
  

Outlook

Gadkari frames the Sky Bus as “new thinking, new technology, new heights,” positioning it as part of India’s broader push for innovative, sustainable transport.
If pilot corridors succeed, India could pioneer aerial rapid transit at scale, reshaping urban mobility for both passengers and cargo.

SECI Invites Proposals to Build India’s Green Hydrogen Hubs

SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has issued a Call for Proposals (CfP) dated September 28, 2026, inviting agencies to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for establishing green hydrogen hubs under Component‑B1 of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The online bid submission deadline is October 30, 2026.

For an uninitiated, the Component‑B1 of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission refers to the development of Green Hydrogen Hubs — regions identified and supported with infrastructure to enable large‑scale production and/or utilization of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The government has allocated ₹400 crore up to 2025‑26 for this initiative.

Green Hydrogen Hubs are designated regions in India where large‑scale production, storage, and utilization of green hydrogen will be concentrated, supported by dedicated infrastructure and government funding. These hubs are central to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, with at least two hubs planned initially and ₹400 crore allocated up to 2025‑26.

SECI is the implementing agency for green hydrogen and methanol tenders, including India’s world’s largest 500,000 MT green methanol auction.

Key Details of SECI’s CfP

• Agency: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), under MNRE
• CfP Reference: SECI/C&P/EOI/17/0005/26‑27, dated September 28, 2026. 
• Scope of Work: Selection of executing agencies to prepare DPRs for green hydrogen hubs under NGHM Component‑B1. 
• Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 (online bids). 
• Pre‑Bid Meeting: Scheduled as per SECI’s Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) on its website. 
• Proposal Opening: First working day after submission deadline

Scope of DPR Preparation

• Hub Location Assessment: Identify potential sites based on hydrogen demand, infrastructure, and techno‑commercial viability.
• Baseline Data Collection: Renewable energy potential, water availability, industrial demand, pipelines, logistics, and financial feasibility.
• Stakeholder Consultation: Engage with state nodal agencies, industries, utilities, ministries, and research institutions.
• Infrastructure Planning: Renewable energy co‑location, grid connectivity, storage systems, refuelling, compression, liquefaction, ports.
• Project Layouts & Financial Models: Detailed layouts, capex estimates, phased implementation, and financial viability.
• Risk & Impact Analysis: Environmental/social impact, regulatory clearances, and legal considerations.

Structured Overview

Focus Area	Details
Location Identification	Demand centres, infrastructure readiness, techno‑commercial viability
Data Inputs	RE potential, water, industrial demand, pipelines, logistics
Infrastructure	Grid, storage, refuelling, compression, liquefaction, ports
Financials	Capex estimates, phased roadmap, financial models
Stakeholders	State agencies, industries, utilities, ministries, research bodies
Risk & Impact	Environmental/social analysis, regulatory clearances

Risks & Considerations

• Regulatory Delays: Multiple clearances across states may slow hub development.
• Water Availability: Hydrogen production requires significant water; DPRs must assess sustainability.
• Grid Integration: Managing renewable intermittency is critical; storage solutions must be viable.
• Financial Viability: Long‑term demand projections and offtake agreements will determine bankability.

India Tops Crypto Inflows: Surpasses Singapore and Australia in Centralized Exchange Activity

India has emerged as the top market in Central & Southeast Asia and Oceania for centralized crypto exchange (CEX) inflows, recording $88.4 billion between July 2025 and June 2026 — ahead of Singapore ($82.3B) and Australia ($79.3B) said the Chainalysis CSAO 2026 report. Despite a 14.7% contraction in its overall crypto economy, India’s dominance in CEX activity highlights strong investor demand even under heavy taxation.

According to Chainalysis, India saw $135 billion worth of crypto activity between July 2025 and June 2026, making it the third‑largest market in Central and Southeast Asia and Oceania (CSAO).

Singapore had the region’s biggest crypto economy in 2026, with $284 billion in activity — a jump of 55% from the year before. Much of this growth came from big institutions, with platform activity nearly doubling to $60 billion. The city’s crypto boom was broad‑based, including a 30% rise in centralized exchange (CEX) flows and a 69% rise in decentralized exchange (DEX) flows.

Australia ranked second at $173.1 billion. Its overall activity dipped 5.6% due to weaker DEX flows, but CEX and institutional trading still grew, showing the market’s resilience.

India saw one of the sharpest declines, with its crypto economy shrinking 14.7% during the global bear market. Even so, it remained a major player, recording $135 billion in activity. Importantly, India led the region in centralized exchange inflows, making it CSAO’s largest market by CEX activity.  

Comparative Snapshot of CEX Inflows (July 2025 – June 2026)

Country	CEX Inflows	Overall Crypto Economy	Notes
India	$88.4B	$135B	Largest CEX inflows despite 14.7% contraction
Singapore	$82.3B	$284B	Region’s largest overall crypto economy
Australia	$79.3B	$173.1B	Second-largest overall economy
Vietnam	$69.8B	Smaller	Fourth-ranked in CEX inflows

Regulatory & Market Context

• Taxation: India imposes a 30% flat tax on crypto income and 1% TDS on transactions. Losses cannot be offset against other income.
• Exchange dominance: Domestic Indian exchanges captured only 0.7% of local volume, far below the regional average (~7%). Most activity flows to offshore platforms due to tax burdens and compliance costs.
• Investor behavior: Crypto in India is primarily used as an investable asset — buying, holding, and selling — rather than payments or DeFi. Investors aged 35+ are increasingly entering the market, shifting from short-term speculation to accumulation.

Key Takeaways

• India leads CSAO in centralized exchange inflows, showing resilience despite regulatory hurdles.
• Singapore remains the largest overall crypto economy, but India’s CEX inflows surpass it.
• Australia ranks third, with strong overall activity but lower CEX inflows than India.
• Vietnam continues to punch above its weight, ranking fourth in inflows.

Risks & Implications

• Macroeconomic risk: Heavy reliance on offshore exchanges raises concerns about compliance, capital flight, and systemic exposure.
• Investor burden: High taxes discourage domestic exchange use, pushing volume abroad.
• Policy gap: India’s dominance in inflows contrasts with its lack of a dedicated crypto law, leaving investors exposed to regulatory uncertainty.

Kerala Police to Procure 120 Submachine Guns for Security Duties

Kerala Police will procure 120 submachine guns at a cost of ₹2.52 crore, primarily for VIP security, counter-terror operations, and law-and-order duties. Each weapon costs ₹2.1 lakh and is capable of firing 600–1,200 rounds per minute, reported regional daily Kerala Kumudi. 

The submachine guns for Kerala Police will be supplied by reputed manufacturers and authorized dealers through a tender process. Likely providers include the Ordnance Factory in Tiruchirappalli (in collaboration with DRDO), Advanced Weapons and Equipment India, and joint ventures such as Larsen & Toubro, Kalyani Strategic Systems, and PLR Systems with Israeli partners. 

Kerala Police to Procure Submachine Guns

Key Details

• Procurement Size: 120 submachine guns
• Cost: ₹2.52 crore (₹2.1 lakh per gun)
• Purpose: VIP security, escort duties, counter-terror operations, Maoist operations, and emergency law-and-order situations
• Additional Purchases: 100 automatic pistols and 155 Glock pistols approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs
• Tender Reference: KPET/23/2026/PHQ, floated in August 2026

Weapon Specifications

• Rate of Fire: 600–1,200 rounds per minute (up to 20 rounds per second)
• Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
• Modes: Single-shot, semi-automatic, and fully automatic
• Ammunition: 9mm rounds (same as pistols)
• Design: Compact, lightweight, easy to carry, suitable for urban operations and firing from vehicles

Manufacturing Sources

• Ordnance Factory, Tiruchirappalli (with DRDO collaboration)
• Advanced Weapons and Equipment India
• Joint Ventures: Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Kalyani Strategic Systems, PLR Systems (with Israeli partners)

Procurement Process

Tender ID	Opening Date	Closing Date	Tender Value	EMD
KPET/23/2026/PHQ	Aug 7, 2026	Aug 21, 2026	₹2.52 crore	₹2,52,070

Strategic Implications

• Enhanced Security: Modern weapons will strengthen Kerala Police’s ability to respond to terrorist threats and Maoist insurgency.
• Urban Readiness: Compact SMGs are ideal for crowded environments, building searches, and VIP protection.
• Modernisation Drive: Part of broader police modernisation funded by central assistance.

Risks & Considerations

• Training Needs: Effective use requires intensive training to prevent misuse in civilian areas.
• Public Concerns: Deployment of high-firepower weapons in urban settings may raise safety and civil rights debates.
• Maintenance: Dependence on OEMs and service centres in Kerala/South India for upkeep.

Bank of Baroda Enters Pension Fund Arena, Second PSU Bank to Enter Market

Marking a significant milestone on the occasion of NPS Divas 2026, Bank of Baroda received the PFRDA Certificate of Appointment as Sponsor of the Pension Fund under Section 27 of the PFRDA Act, 2013. With this, Bank of Baroda becomes the second Public Sector Bank to enter the pension fund business, marking an important step in its expansion in the retirement and long-term savings space. The certificate was presented by Shri Sanjay Lohiya, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) to Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda, in the presence of Shri S Ramann, Chairperson, PFRDA and Shri Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairperson, NPS Trust.

During the event, the Bank also became amongst the first few banks to onboard Tatkal NPS on the BHIM App as part of the second phase rollout of Tatkal NPS. The integration of Tatkal NPS with the BHIM App is expected to significantly enhance the accessibility and reach of the National Pension System by enabling seamless digital onboarding through the widely used BHIM platform.

On the occasion, Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda expressed, "Today marks an important milestone for Bank of Baroda as we become the second Public Sector Bank to enter the pension fund business. We have also onboarded Tatkal NPS on the BHIM App. These milestones reinforce our commitment in expanding access to retirement solutions and leveraging digital innovation to make pension products more accessible and convenient for customers across the country. We remain focused on supporting greater pension penetration and encouraging long-term financial security for all."

Organised by PFRDA, NPS Divas brought together representatives from public and private sector banks, Central Recordkeeping Agencies, NPCI BHIM Services Limited and senior officials from the Department of Financial Services to discuss the growth and future of the National Pension System.

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over ~180 million through around 65,000 touch points spread across 15 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instill a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.

Visit us at https://bankofbaroda.bank.in/