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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Companies from the commercial vehicle, transport and logistics sectors are set to present their latest transport and logistics solutions at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover from 15 to 20 September 2026. The organisers state that early registration data indicate an 11 percent increase in exhibitors compared to the same period in 2024, with several exhibition halls already overbooked.

The event maintains an international exhibitor rate of 70 percent, with significant representation from China, Turkey and Italy. Notably, 23 percent of the participants are attending the trade fair for the first time.

Renault Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans have confirmed their return to the event. They join a roster of manufacturers including BYD, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Dongfeng, Ford Trucks, KIA, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, VW Commercial Vehicles and Volvo Trucks. New participants for 2026 include e-van manufacturer FLEXIS and charging infrastructure provider Zerova.

Suppliers currently form the largest exhibitor group. Participating firms include Robert Bosch, BPW Bergische Achsen, MAHLE and the ZF Group. Body manufacturers such as Fliegl Fahrzeugbau, Krone Trailer and Schmitz Cargobull will also be present to showcase global products.

The IAA Conference will address industry trends such as fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, automated transport, AI and hydrogen solutions. A dedicated area will also be provided for startups to present ideas for the transport sector.

The IAA Experience allows visitors to trial innovations through four formats:

• Test Drives: Supervised trials of zero-emission light and heavy commercial vehicles on public roads or the grounds.
• ADAS & Telematics: Practical demonstrations of driver assistance systems.
• Cargobike Parcours: A testing environment for cargo bike innovations.
• Shuttle Bus: A loop service using vehicle innovations to connect exhibition halls.

Jurgen Mindel, Managing Director, VDA, said, "The once again strong resonance from leading companies all over the world impressively shows how committed our industry is to shaping a sustainable future for the commercial vehicle and transport sectors. In 2024, exhibitors at IAA TRANSPORTATION already set new standards as drivers of innovation. In 2026, we are coming back and proving once again: we deliver. As organisers, we are pleased to offer this progressive industry a fitting stage for their innovations once more."

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Swaraj Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group, has renewed its partnership with former Indian Cricket team captain MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador. The association began after the former Indian cricket captain purchased a Swaraj tractor for his personal farm operations.

The partnership enters a phase focused on brand evolution and visibility. Swaraj Tractors intends to use Dhoni’s image to support upcoming product introductions designed for the requirements of farmers in India.

To mark the extension of the agreement, Swaraj Tractors has launched a digital video campaign (DVC) titled ‘Bharosa’. The campaign focuses on three core pillars – power, trust and reliability.

Dhoni will feature in integrated campaigns across multiple platforms. The brand aims to maintain its legacy while adopting a contemporary outlook to engage with progressive segments of the agricultural market.

Gaganjot Singh, CEO, Swaraj Division Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “MS Dhoni reflects the ethos of Swaraj — dependable, authentic, and consistently focused on performance. This partnership has helped us strengthen our connect with customers while reinforcing the values that define the brand. As we move ahead, his association will play an important role in building greater resonance for Swaraj across markets and supporting our efforts to present the brand with contemporary outlook and energy while staying true to its legacy.”

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has inaugurated a new authorised BharatBenz dealership, Agile Trucking, in Raniganj, West Bengal. The facility is intended to support industrial and infrastructure corridors in the eastern region of India.

Located on NH2, the dealership is situated near the industrial hubs of Durgapur and Asansol. The site provides sales, service, and spares (3S) support to fleet operators, railway sidings and construction logistics providers.

The dealership is spread across 85,000 sqft and operates 24 hours a day to assist with vehicle uptime. It features 12 service bays and 4 accident repair bays. It can service over 500 vehicles every month and is also equipped with four Mobile Reach Vans (MRVs) for roadside assistance. The facility employees 65 personnel trained for technical and sales support.

The inauguration brings the total number of BharatBenz touchpoints to 418. DICV plans to add 32 more locations in 2026 to reach a total of 450. In West Bengal specifically, the company operates 11 workshops and intends to add five more during 2026. Additionally, a new Regional Training Centre (RTC) is scheduled to open in Kolkata by the fourth quarter of 2026 to train engineers for the dealership network.

Rajiv Chaturvedi, President & Chief Business Officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “West Bengal continues to be a key market for BharatBenz, driven by infrastructure development, industrial activity, and freight movement along major national highways. The inauguration of the Agile Trucking dealership in Raniganj further strengthens BharatBenz’s footprint in southern West Bengal. West Burdwan is a strategically important district with strong industrial and infrastructure activity. With this modern 3S facility, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliable products, faster service turnaround, and a superior ownership experience for our customers. Currently, 418 BharatBenz touch points are there with this facility and in 2026 we will add total 32 more touch points to improve reach to 450 touch points in total. We have 11 Service workshops in West Bengal and we will add 5 more touchpoints in 2026. We are also going to start new RTC in Kolkata by Q4’2026 to provide trained engineers to our dealerships which in turn will improve customer service experience.”

Vijayakumar K, CEO, Agile Trucking, added, “The launch of this new BharatBenz facility in Raniganj reflects our long-term commitment to the region. With advanced infrastructure, a skilled team, and round-the-clock operations, we aim to support our customers with dependable service and help them achieve higher vehicle uptime and operational efficiency.”

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Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, has announced a network expansion for its Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) business in Western India. The company plans to add 30 touchpoints to its existing 150 in the region within one year.

The move aims to support demand for LCVs driven by infrastructure projects and economic growth in Maharashtra and the wider Western region.

At present, it operates with 29 dealer partners, 130 service workshops, and over 350 trained technicians in Western India. This infrastructure provides a service point every 35 kilometres. Following the expansion, Ashok Leyland intends to reduce this distance to 25 kilometres.

Ashok Leyland is focusing on its LCV portfolio, including models such as the ‘Bada Dost’ and ‘Dost’, to increase its market presence. The strategy involves delivering transport solutions for various industries while leveraging technological innovation.

Viplav Shah, Head of LCV Business at Ashok Leyland, said, "The expansion of the LCV networking in Maharashtra and the entire Western region will be a game changer for us. Along with best-in-class mileage, payload, loading area, comfort and reliability that our LCV range offers, now we are taking a big step in multiplying our service reach. We remain committed to strengthening our presence in the Western region, which is a key market for us.”

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