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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 31, 2025
The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality group, has announced the signing of a new Taj hotel in Pondicherry, further expanding its luxury footprint in South India. The upcoming property will be a greenfield project, developed in partnership with Mr. M.K. Rajagopalan of MGM Healthcare.
Spread across 52 acres, the 180-key Taj Pondicherry will offer panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal. Located on the outskirts of White Town, the hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a bar, and a lounge, bringing together refined gastronomy and timeless elegance.
Guests can unwind with Taj’s signature J Wellness Circle, which offers holistic spa therapies and wellness treatments. The property will also include a gym, swimming pool, and multiple recreational amenities for a complete leisure experience.
Designed to host grand social gatherings, the hotel will feature the largest indoor banquet hall in the region, spanning 10,700 sq. ft., along with exclusive beachfront lawns ideal for weddings and outdoor events.
Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said,
“Pondicherry has witnessed a steady rise in domestic travel and a rebound in foreign arrivals, reinforcing its position as a key leisure destination. The addition of Taj Pondicherry will cater to the growing demand for large-scale social events in the region. We are delighted to partner with Mr. M.K. Rajagopalan for this project.”
Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration, Mr. M.K. Rajagopalan, MGM Healthcare, added,
“We are happy to venture into the hospitality sector with IHCL. This hotel will be a landmark destination in the region.”
Known for its French colonial charm, serene beaches, and spiritual ambience, Pondicherry continues to attract travellers from across the world. Popular attractions such as Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry Museum, Oussudu Bird Sanctuary, and the Puducherry Canyon add to its appeal as a cultural and wellness retreat.
About the Owning Company:
MGM Healthcare is a diversified entrepreneurial venture by Mr. M.K. Rajagopalan, operating three hospitals in Chennai, one in Vizag, and two upcoming projects in Chennai. He also serves as the Chancellor of a renowned university that runs medical colleges in both Puducherry and Chennai.
With this signing, IHCL continues to strengthen its presence across India’s most sought-after leisure destinations, combining luxury, heritage, and hospitality excellence under the Taj brand.
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Published on November 13, 2026
Mangaluru International Airport has commenced work on expanding its integrated terminal to handle the growing number of air travellers. The project is expected to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million by the end of 2029, according to airport authorities.
The expansion will add 27,100 square metres of built-up area on the eastern side of the existing terminal, while the current 48,574-square-metre facility will also undergo modifications to accommodate the rising passenger traffic.
The airport handled a record 2.55 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year, crossing its originally planned annual capacity of around two million passengers. Passenger traffic has increased by nearly 42% over the last three years, rising from 1.79 million in 2022-23. The airport authorities expect passenger numbers to grow at an annual compound rate of around 9%, crossing four million by 2030-31.
As part of the expansion, the airport will improve several passenger facilities, including check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling, and arrival and departure areas. These improvements are expected to make passenger movement smoother and improve the overall airport experience.
The development will also introduce a public viewing gallery, which visitors can access after security clearance. An open-air recreational area overlooking the airfield and the Gurupura River valley is also part of the plans.
In addition to the terminal expansion, a separate multifunctional building is proposed to accommodate more than 800 vehicles through a multi-level parking facility. The building will also include office spaces, passenger amenities, food and beverage outlets and recreational facilities. A dedicated pedestrian bridge connecting the building to the terminal will feature travelators and buggy services to make movement easier for passengers.
The airport authorities said the expansion is being taken up considering Mangaluru's growing importance as a commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare centre in the region, along with the increasing demand for air travel across coastal Karnataka.
Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve passenger processing, support airport operations and accommodate future travel demand. The terminal expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.
By Hariharan U
Published on November 11, 2026
Palmonas has expanded its retail presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new store on Turner Road in Bandra West, bringing its jewellery collections closer to shoppers ahead of the festive season.
The new outlet arrives during a busy period for festive shopping, offering customers a convenient destination to explore jewellery for celebrations, family gatherings, gifting and everyday styling.
The store features Palmonas’ range of Demi-fine® jewellery, 9KT Gold jewellery and Fine Silver designs. With collections spanning different styles and occasions, shoppers can explore everyday accessories alongside pieces suited to festive dressing and special moments.
The opening reflects Palmonas’ continued focus on expanding its offline retail footprint across key urban markets. By establishing a presence in Bandra West, the brand aims to make its collections more accessible to customers who prefer exploring jewellery in a physical retail environment.
The festive season brings increased interest in occasion-ready accessories and gifting options. The new store adds another location for Mumbai shoppers to discover Palmonas’ offerings across its jewellery categories.
Brand: Palmonas
Address: Shop No. 3, Ground Floor, 36, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Pune Gas has opened its 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, expanding its presence in Karnataka and bringing its commercial and industrial gas solutions closer to businesses across Dakshina Kannada and coastal Karnataka. The new facility is the company's second centre in the state, following its Bengaluru location.
The Pune Gas Mangaluru Experience Centre was inaugurated by D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mangaluru City South, and S. Mukund Kamath, CMD, Ideal Ice Cream Pvt. Ltd.
The inauguration was attended by representatives from the oil and gas industry, including Sandeep Kumar Raina, LPG Territory Manager, BPCL, Mangaluru; Darshit Malviya, Manager – Sales, BPCL, Mangaluru; and Lakshmi M, CRM, HPCL. The centre will be locally managed by franchise partners Vindya Pai and Nithyanand Pai, with technical and leadership support from Pune Gas.
Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada region have a diverse business base spanning hospitality, restaurants, seafood and marine products, cashew and food processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilisers and manufacturing.
Industrial areas such as Baikampady, Yeyyadi, Ganjimutt and Karnad contribute to the region's commercial and manufacturing activity. Businesses across these sectors depend on reliable energy systems for commercial kitchens, process heating and other operational requirements.
The region's seafood and cashew industries also have export potential. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified these products under Dakshina Kannada's District Export Hub designation, while Karnataka Tourism highlights the Mangaluru–Udupi region's coastal cuisine and seafood traditions.
For businesses operating in these sectors, efficient LPG systems can help improve fuel utilisation, reduce wastage and manage operating expenses.
Speaking at the launch, Jesal Sampat, Executive Director and CEO, Pune Gas, said, “Improving energy efficiency is essential to helping businesses manage operating costs and enhance operational performance. Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka present an important opportunity for us to bring our engineering expertise closer to Dakshina Kannada's diverse and growing business community.”
He added that Pune Gas solutions were helping businesses save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually, according to the company's estimates, by addressing fuel inefficiencies. The new centre, he said, would make its technologies and technical expertise more accessible to businesses across the region.
Nithyanand Pai, Pune Gas Mangaluru Franchise Partner, highlighted the scale of commercial LPG consumption in Karnataka, estimating daily demand at approximately 850 metric tonnes, equivalent to around 44,000 commercial LPG cylinders. He said the franchise would focus on helping regional businesses optimise LPG consumption and reduce fuel wastage.
The new centre offers businesses an opportunity to explore Pune Gas's commercial and industrial gas systems through product demonstrations and technical guidance. Its portfolio includes:
Dry-Type LPG Vaporizer: The company's patented, Made-in-India technology converts liquid LPG into gas for commercial and industrial applications. System sizing is tailored to individual operational requirements.
LPGenius Smart LPG Systems: An integrated LPG solution designed to improve fuel utilisation and maintain consistent operations. It addresses issues such as cylinder freezing and sweating and works with LOT (Liquid Off-Take) 47.5 kg cylinders. Pune Gas states that the system can deliver 20–30% savings on LPG costs, depending on operating conditions.
FuelFusion: A dual-fuel system that enables compatible diesel generator sets to operate using diesel and LPG. According to the company, it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 70%, depending on system compatibility and operating conditions, while supporting lower-emission operations.
LeakCheck and Handheld Sniffer: Gas leak detection solutions designed to help identify potential leaks and support timely corrective action.
GasTrain Pressure Regulation Systems: Precision-engineered systems that regulate gas pressure according to equipment and process requirements, supporting controlled gas delivery.
Gas Parts and Consumables: Components for commercial and industrial LPG and natural gas infrastructure, supported by technical guidance.
Address: Vindhya Appliances, Shop No. FF 10, Lotus Atharva, Ashok Nagar, near Urwa Marigudi, Mangaluru – 575006.
With a history spanning more than 40 years, Pune Gas designs, develops and implements gas-based energy systems for commercial and industrial applications. The company operates across India and 20 international markets, serving sectors including manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.
Its portfolio includes LPG and natural gas systems aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and supporting the adoption of cleaner energy solutions.
For more information, visit Pune Gas.
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