New Delhi:State-owned NHAI on Tuesday said it has taken an initiative to develop 'Arogya Van', thematic medicinal tree plantations on vacant land parcels along National Highways. NHAI, in a statement, said the initiative aims to enrich biodiversity along the National Highways by introducing medicinal tree species that support pollinators, birds and microfauna, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience. In the first phase of developing 'Arogya Van', an action plan has been formulated covering 17 land parcels, spanning over 62.8 hectares, where around 67,462 medicinal trees will be planted along different National Highway projects in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

NOCIL starts new

chemical plant

New Delhi:NOCIL Ltd said on Wednesday it has commissioned a new manufacturing facility for Pilnox TDQ/TMQ rubber anti-degradants at Dahej, Gujarat, as part of a Rs 250 crore investment programme to expand its rubber chemicals portfolio. The plant, located within the Dahej Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR), will produce chemicals used to improve tyre durability, performance and safety, as well as non-tyre applications. NOCIL, in a statement, said the facility's location provides access to raw materials, port connectivity and integrated infrastructure, supporting both domestic supply and export markets. "As supply chains evolve, building strong domestic capabilities is a responsibility we take seriously," MD Anand V S said.

Hilton, Royal Orchid

Hotels ink pact

New Delhi:Global hospitality major Hilton on Wednesday announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Regenta Hotels Private Limited, owned by Royal Orchid Hotels Limited, for opening 125 'Hampton by Hilton' hotels across western and southern India by 2035. The partnership accelerates Hilton's upper mid-scale expansion in India, where rising domestic travel and growing demand from the country's expanding middle class are driving strong opportunities in the mid-market segment. The franchised hotels will primarily be developed across western and southern markets, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, joining more than 3,100 Hampton by Hilton properties operating globally.

ClayCo raises ` 34.59 crore fund

New Delhi:ClayCo on Wednesday said it has raised Rs 34.59 crore with closure of series A funding. The startup will use the fund to accelerate product development, expand into new categories, and strengthen its working capital, said ClayCo in a statement. The funding round was led by Twenty-Nine Capital Partners Ventures, with participation from ICMG Global Ventures II Pte. Ltd., Singapore.