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Tag: Smruti Bhalerao news coverage

  • The Future of British Steel: Tata Steel UK to Build Next-Gen Electric Arc Furnace in Port Talbot

    With government backing, the £1.25 billion Electric Arc Furnace project will slash CO₂ emissions by 90% and ensure long-term steel production in the UK.

     The UK steel industry is set for a major transformation as Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee grants approval for Tata Steel UK to establish a next-generation Electric Arc Furnace at its Port Talbot facility. With a £1.25 billion investment, this marks one of the most significant shifts in British steelmaking, ensuring a sustainable future while reducing carbon emissions at an unprecedented scale.
    Tata Steel has been at the forefront of modernizing the industry, and this approval paves the way for the company to begin large-scale construction this summer. The new facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027, replacing outdated blast furnace technology that has long been the backbone of British steel production. Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, emphasized that this transition will not only preserve thousands of jobs but also position the company as a global leader in sustainable steel manufacturing. He reiterated that the shift to Electric Arc Furnace technology will drastically cut on-site CO₂ emissions by 90%, a reduction equivalent to 1.5% of the UK’s total direct emissions.

    The UK Government has pledged £500 million in funding to support the transition, underscoring its commitment to industrial decarbonization. Unlike traditional steelmaking, which depends on imported iron ore and coking coal, the Electric Arc Furnace will primarily use scrap steel, an abundantly available resource in the UK. This shift will significantly reduce reliance on volatile international supply chains while ensuring greater energy efficiency and sustainability in steel production.
    Jonathan Reynolds, Business and Trade Secretary (UK Government), described the approval as a major step in securing the future of Welsh steelmaking. He noted that this project aligns with the Plan for Steel, which was unveiled last week, ensuring a long-term strategy to maintain the UK’s competitive edge in global steel production.

    Tata Steel UK has been actively advancing its green steel initiatives, forming key partnerships to accelerate the transition. In December 2024, the company signed an agreement with JCB for the supply of low-carbon steel. The following month, Sir Robert McAlpine was appointed as the main works contractor for the project. Additionally, in October 2024, Tata Steel UK selected Tenova, a global leader in metals technology, to supply the new Electric Arc Furnace.
    The Port Talbot facility, historically one of Europe’s largest steelworks, has played a pivotal role in British industrial history. However, its iron and steelmaking assets, including the harbour, coke ovens, sinter plant, and blast furnaces, were decommissioned last year as part of the transition to greener manufacturing. The introduction of the Electric Arc Furnace is expected to revitalize the site, making it a benchmark for sustainable industrial operations in the UK and beyond.

    The global steel industry is undergoing rapid change, with leading manufacturers such as ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel, and Thyssenkrupp Steel accelerating their shift toward low-emission steelmaking. European steelmakers, including POSCO, are also adopting scrap-based production methods to meet stricter environmental regulations. Industry analysts predict that Electric Arc Furnaces will become the dominant method of steel production across Europe, North America, and Asia over the next decade.

    The transformation at Port Talbot is expected to spur further investment in clean steel technologies, positioning the UK as a leader in low-carbon industrial manufacturing. As Tata Steel UK prepares to break ground on this project, the initiative signals a decisive step toward reducing the carbon footprint of British manufacturing, strengthening domestic supply chains, and enhancing the UK’s role in global steel innovation.
    Tata Steel UK, a subsidiary of Tata Steel, is one of Europe’s leading steel manufacturers, known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. With a strong presence in the UK, the company is spearheading the transition toward low-carbon steel production, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of global steelmaking.
    At Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.

  • Temple Searches Up 139%, Sweet Shops 35X as Mahakumbh 2025 Turns Justdial into a Pilgrim’s Search Engine

    From spirituality to logistics, Mahakumbh 2025’s online impact is unprecedented. Travel agent searches jump 110%, hotels 5X.

    Mahakumbh 2025 is not just India’s largest religious gathering. It is also reshaping digital consumer behavior, with millions of devotees turning to Justdial to find everything from temples and ghats to hotels, pandits, and puja essentials.
    Latest search data from Justdial highlights a historic surge in demand for pilgrimage-related services. Searches for puja item dealers soared 89X, reflecting the growing need for religious supplies. Sweet shops saw a 35-fold increase, while pandit bookings spiked 31 times as devotees prepared for sacred rituals.

    The numbers reveal a massive shift in how pilgrims plan their journey. Compared to the first week of the festival, searches between January 22 and January 31 show a 139% rise for temples, 133% for petrol pumps, and 118% for ghats. The unprecedented scale of Mahakumbh 2025 is not just filling holy sites. It is driving millions to digital platforms for real-time information.
    Searches for travel agents spiked 110%, indicating an urgent need for transportation assistance. Hotels and Kumbh Mela tents saw an 86% and 87% increase, respectively. This data underscores how India’s digital ecosystem is bridging the gap between spiritual devotion and modern convenience.

    Mahakumbh 2025 has transformed the hospitality and travel industry, driving extraordinary demand for accommodations, rental services, and tour guides. Hotels recorded a five-fold increase in bookings compared to December 2024. Dharamshalas and tourist guide services saw a 5X jump, showcasing the need for organized pilgrimage tours. Car rentals surged 97%, while ambulance services saw a four-fold rise, reflecting heightened concerns about emergency preparedness.

    The reliance on digital platforms like Justdial for real-time service access highlights the changing face of religious tourism in India. Mahakumbh is traditionally an ancient Hindu gathering, yet its modern avatar is deeply intertwined with digital transformation. Pilgrims are now using search engines, mobile apps, and online bookings to enhance their experience.
    ATMs and petrol pump searches doubled, ensuring smooth financial transactions and travel logistics. Ashram bookings increased 35%, showing a preference for spiritual accommodations. Chemists saw a 26% rise, reinforcing the importance of medical preparedness during large gatherings.

    With over 100 million pilgrims expected by the festival’s conclusion on February 26, digital platforms have become an essential part of the pilgrimage experience.
    A Justdial spokesperson highlighted the impact of Mahakumbh 2025 on consumer behavior, stating that they are witnessing an extraordinary shift in how people access pilgrimage-related services. From booking hotels to finding pandits, Justdial is enabling devotees to seamlessly plan their spiritual journey. This year’s Mahakumbh is not just about faith. It is about how technology is enhancing religious experiences.Justdial is India’s leading local search engine, providing users with real-time access to businesses and services. It operates across desktop, mobile, and voice search platforms, offering an extensive database of businesses, hotels, travel agencies, and essential services.

    The company recently launched JD Mart, a B2B marketplace designed to help manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers transition to digital commerce. Justdial also introduced JD Pay, a digital payments solution simplifying transactions for consumers and vendors.
    With its ever-expanding platform, Justdial continues to play a vital role in connecting users to essential services, especially during large-scale events like Mahakumbh 2025.
    Final Thoughts
    Mahakumbh 2025 is not just a spiritual event. It is a testament to how technology is transforming India’s cultural experiences. With pilgrims relying on digital platforms for everything from accommodations to religious services, Justdial has become a crucial tool in shaping the modern pilgrimage experience.
    As the festival reaches its final phase, search trends will continue to evolve, reinforcing how faith and technology are more interconnected than ever before.
    At Prittle Prattle News, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.