MAY, 20259ADANI GROUP PUTS 10 BILLION USD CHIP PROJECT WITH ISRAEL'S TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR ON HOLDMAHARASHTRA'S NEW EV POLICY AIMS TO LEAD INDIA IN GREEN TRANSPORTATIONIndian conglomerate Adani Group has paused negotiations with Israel's Tower Semiconductor for a proposed 10 billion USD semiconductor manufacturing project in Maharashtra. The decision stems from concerns over the project's strategic and commercial viability, particularly due to uncertainties surrounding demand for chips in India.Back in September 2024, the plan was to build a shiny new chip factory in Taloja, Panvel, pumping out 80,000 wafers a month and creating 5,000 jobs. It was a key piece of India's big push to join the global chipmaking club, backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" cheerleading. But after some serious number-crunching, Adani's team started fretting that the demand for chips might not be there, so they've slammed the pause button on talks with Tower.Tower Semiconductor, a pro at making chips for cars and gadgets, was supposed to be Adani's wingman. This hiccup hurts India's chipmaking hopes, especially since the country still doesn't have a single chip factory up and running. Other big dreams, like the 19.5 billion USD Vedanta-Foxconn deal that crashed and burned in 2023, have also tripped over stuff like slow government support and crazy-high costs. Right now, Tata Group's 11 billion USD chip plant and Micron's 2.7 billion USD packaging project are in the works, but they're not exactly smooth sailing either.India's chip market is set to explode to 63 billion USD by 2026, with everyone from phone makers to car companies and the military needing chips. But starting a chip industry from zero is a wild ride, super expensive and with tough global rivals. The Adani-Tower project's got Maharashtra's thumbs-up, but it's still waiting for the central government's India Semiconductor Mission to sign off. TOP STORIESMAY, 20259Maharashtra's government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, just rolled out its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2025, a bold move to make the state a frontrunner in eco-friendly transportation. With nearly Rs 2,000 crore set aside, the policy is all about getting more people to drive EVs, reducing pollution, and building a solid network of charging stations by 2030.The policy comes with some attractive perks to make EVs more affordable. If you're buying an electric two-wheeler, three-wheeler, or a personal car, you'll get a 10% discount on the vehicle's price. For commercial vehicles like goods-carrying three or four wheelers and electric tractors, the discount jumps to 15%. Plus, you won't have to pay registration fees for EVs, and if you're driving an electric car or bus, you can skip tolls entirely on major routes like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu, and Samruddhi Mahamarg. Even on other state and national highways, EVs get a 50% toll discount.To make EVs practical, the state plans to set up charging stations every 25 kilometers along national highways and in key cities. This should make it easier for people to switch to electric without worrying about running out of juice. The policy's Clean Mobility Transition Model will keep these benefits rolling for buyers until 2030.Shailesh Chandra, head of Tata Motors' passenger vehicle and electric mobility divisions, called the policy a game-changer. He said the toll exemptions and long-term benefits, like no registration or road taxes, will make EVs cheaper to own. Tata Motors, which already dominates 38% of India's EV market, plans to launch more electric models and work with the state to build out charging networks.People are buzzing about the policy online, with X posts highlighting the toll-free highways and 10-15% discounts. With a goal of 30% EV adoption by 2030, Maharashtra is setting the pace for a cleaner, greener India.
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