Thomas Cook India Expands Presence in Ahmedabad with New South Bopal Outlet

Key Takeaways from the Announcement

• The South Bopal outlet expands Thomas Cook India's network to four locations in Ahmedabad and ten across Gujarat.
• The outlet is designed to serve diverse customer segments, including families, couples, millennials, business professionals, and seniors.
• Growth drivers include Gujarati-specific group tours with Gujarati-speaking tour managers and customised vegetarian cuisine options.

Located in a preferred residential area with excellent connectivity to the airport, railways, and business hubs, the South Bopal outlet is strategically positioned to serve the local community. With the festive season approaching, Thomas Cook aims to meet the significant demand for travel bookings among Gujarati customers.

The new outlet offers a comprehensive range of travel services, including international and domestic holidays, group tours, personalised vacations, and value-added services like travel insurance. Additionally, Thomas Cook's AI booking platform enables customers to plan their trips in real-time by checking availability and making reservations quickly.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Ahmedabad is an important source market for us, and as we continue to witness growing demand from the city, especially during peak travel seasons like Diwali, we are delighted to announce the opening of our Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet at South Bopal. Strategically chosen for its central location, this new outlet will enhance our ability to serve the diverse needs of customers in the region, offering easy access and seamless services – right at their doorstep! We also have exclusive Gujarati group tours with co-travelers from the State, featuring departures from Gujarat, accompanied by a Gujarati-speaking expert Tour Manager. On behalf of my Team, I extend a warm welcome to our customers from Ahmedabad. My Team and I look forward to cocurating memorable holidays for each of our customers – both within India and international.”

Travel trends indicate that Gujaratis are enthusiastic travellers who maximise public holidays and weekends for mini-vacations. Group tours featuring Gujarati-speaking managers and pure vegetarian cuisine are particularly popular among this demographic. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in experiential travel and luxury cruise vacations to destinations like Lakshadweep, Dubai, and Singapore.

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Thomas Cook provides a wide range of services, including Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Leisure Travel, Visa & Passport services, and E-Business. The company established its first office in India in 1881.

The Thomas Cook India Group operates in over 25 countries across five continents and employs more than 8,388 people. It has 19 brands under its umbrella, including SITA, TCI, and Distant Frontiers.

Key Takeaways from the Announcement

• The contract comprises 13 units, comprising 100 passenger hybrid electric ferries and 200 passenger twin-deck hybrid electric ferries.
• The contract amount is approximately ₹226.18 crore (excluding GST).
• The work will be executed in 30 months from the date of entering into the contract.

As per a stock exchange filing, the contract involves a total of 13 units, which include 100 non-air-conditioned hybrid electric ferries designed for cross-ferry operations and 200 twin-deck hybrid electric ferries with air conditioning on the main deck. This domestic contract is valued at approximately Rs. 226.18 crore (excluding GST) and is expected to be executed within 30 months from the effective date of signing.

Additionally, the company confirmed that none of its promoters or group companies have any interest in the entity awarding the contracts, ensuring that the transaction is conducted at arm's length. A detailed contract is currently under finalisation and will be signed shortly.

The agreements are expected to place special emphasis on the improvement of inland water transport in West Bengal with environmentally friendly hybrid electric ferries. As the scheme covers sustainable transport in the government plan, the connectivity on water route passages in the state is being sought to be improved.

About Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. is a premier shipbuilding company in India, specialising in building various types of vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. With a rich history dating back to 1884, GRSE has established itself as a leader in shipbuilding and engineering services, contributing significantly to India's maritime capabilities. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability in its operations and product offerings.

Key Takeaways from Balram Chini Mill Bioplastic Policy:

• Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) supports Uttar Pradesh's new bioplastic policy aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
• The policy offers incentives for investments over ₹1000 crore, including up to 50% subsidies and interest support for seven years.
• It promotes innovation in bioplastic materials and engages stakeholders in waste management and recycling.
• The policy encourages using sugarcane biomass for producing polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics, linking agriculture and industry.

The new policy includes significant incentives for companies investing in bioplastic production, such as a subsidy of up to 50% for investments of Rs 1000 crore or more, interest support for seven years, and 100% reimbursement of SGST for ten years. It also offers duty-free electricity for ten years and stamp duty exemptions on relevant transactions. 

In addition to financial support, the policy encourages innovation by promoting research in new bioplastic materials and engaging various stakeholders, including waste management and recycling services. 

It emphasises the use of biomass, like sugarcane, as a key raw material for polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics, thus linking agriculture with industry and supporting agro-based economies.

About Balram Chini Mills Limited:

Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) is one of India's largest integrated sugar companies. In addition to sugar production, the company also runs distilleries and generates power. It currently operates ten sugar factories in Uttar Pradesh, with a total sugarcane crushing capacity of 80,000 tons per day (TCD) and distillery and power generation capacities of 1,050 kiloliters per day (KLPD) and 175.7 megawatts (MW), respectively. The company is also working on setting up India's first Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) plant, which will have a capacity of 75,000 tons per year.

Key Takeaways from the Order Win 

• Orient Cement has accepted a work order from MPPGCL to install a Clinker Grinding Unit at Satpura Thermal Power Station.
• The agreement includes a 25-year Fly Ash supply contract.
• Additional agreements, such as the Land Use Permission Agreement (LUPA), will be signed shortly.

This follows the company’s earlier submission dated February 5, 2024, where MPPGCL approved the proposal for the installation.

The work order also includes a Fly Ash supply contract, which will be in effect for 25 years. The company has confirmed its acceptance and will soon finalize other agreements, including the Land Use Permission Agreement (LUPA).

The project reflects Orient Cement’s growing expansion efforts and reinforces its partnership with MPPGCL for long-term infrastructure developments.

About CK Birla Group 

The CK Birla Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate with over $3 billion in revenue and more than 35,000 employees. It operates 52 manufacturing facilities in India and globally, across various industries such as technology, automotive, home and building, and healthcare. The group’s key companies include Birlasoft Limited, GMMCO Limited, National Engineering Industries (NBC Bearings), Orient Cement, HIL Limited, Orient Electric, CK Birla Healthcare (CK Birla Hospitals and Birla Fertility & IVF), Orient Paper & Industries, AVTEC Limited, and Neosym Industry.

About Orient Cement

Founded in 1979, Orient Cement was previously part of Orient Paper & Industries before becoming an independent entity in 2012. Orient Cement has fast come to become one of India's biggest cement makers. The company began its cement business operations in 1982 at Devapur, Telangana, and further consolidated its power with a split grinding unit at Nashirabad, Maharashtra, in the year 1997. Thereafter, the company established an integrated cement plant in Chittapur, Karnataka, in the year 2015. Total capacity of 8.5 MTPA: Orient Cement serves Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.

Orient Cement produces Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) under the brand names Birla A1 Premium Cement, Birla A1 StrongCrete, Birla A1 OrientGreen, and Birla A1 Dolphin. The company is recognised for its focus on product quality, holding multiple certifications, including QMS ISO 9001:2015 and EMS ISO 14001:2015. It is one of only two Indian cement companies awarded the prestigious Total Plant Maintenance (TPM) excellence award by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance and has received numerous accolades for its green and safety practices.