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New Delhi, July 3: India’s services sector recorded a slower pace of expansion in June, with the HSBC India Services PMI declining to 57.4 from 59.8 in May, indicating easing momentum in domestic demand.

The latest reading marks the weakest growth in services activity in 17 months, although it remains above the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction.

The moderation was mainly driven by the slowest increase in new orders in over two-and-a-half years. While some firms benefited from stronger e-commerce activity, tourism demand, and competitive pricing, others reported weaker client interest and challenging market conditions.

Employment levels remained largely unchanged during the month, suggesting cautious hiring trends among service providers. However, export demand showed relative strength, with new overseas orders rising at the fastest pace in three months.

Economists say the data points to a cooling in domestic demand, even as overall sector activity continues to expand at a healthy level.

Kolkata, July3 : As West Bengal enters a phase of renewed optimism driven by infrastructure-led growth, improving connectivity, and increasing homebuyer confidence, Eden Realty Group has announced a limited–period homeownership initiative aimed at making quality housing more accessible for aspiring homeowners.

With affordability continuing to be a key consideration for first-time buyers and young families, the initiative is designed to reduce the initial financial burden while encouraging buyers to secure their homes at current prices before future appreciation.

As part of this initiative, buyers at Solaris City Serampore can own a home starting from ₹26 Lakh, along with the exclusive benefit of not paying the Registration Charges which Eden Realty will bear. This translates to a saving of close to ₹3 Lakh, for the buyer. At Solaris Joka, premium residences are available starting from ₹33.75 Lakh, accompanied by special booking advantage of a ₹5 Lakh Cash Back.

Both developments have witnessed encouraging buyer interest owing to their strategic locations, excellent connectivity, thoughtfully planned amenities, and the credibility of the Eden Realty Group brand.

“A home is one of the most important aspirations for a family. We understand that while demand remains strong, many homebuyers are looking for the right opportunity to take the final step. Through this initiative, we want to make that decision easier by reducing the upfront financial burden and enabling buyers to own a quality home at today’s prices before the next phase of market appreciation. We believe that as West Bengal continues its growth journey, quality residential developments in well-connected locations will create lasting value for homeowners”, said Mr Arya Sumant, Managing Director, Eden Realty Group.

The announcement comes at a time when the residential market in the Kolkata Metropolitan Region is witnessing sustained demand, supported by improving infrastructure, expanding employment corridors, and a positive outlook among homebuyers. Locations such as Serampore and Joka have emerged as attractive residential destinations due to enhanced connectivity and evolving social infrastructure.

Solaris City Serampore offers a modern lifestyle with landscaped open spaces, recreational amenities, and seamless connectivity to Kolkata, making it an ideal choice for first-time buyers and growing families.

Solaris Joka, situated in the rapidly evolving Joka corridor offers premium homes with excellent connectivity, future-ready infrastructure, and thoughtfully curated lifestyle amenities, making it an ideal choice for both end-users and long-term investors.

The limited–period initiatives are available for a short duration and are aimed at helping more families realise their dream of homeownership while benefiting from the long-term appreciation potential of well-located residential developments.

New Delhi, July 3 (UDN): India’s real estate sector attracted institutional investments worth $4.5 billion during January–June 2026, marking a sharp 50 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The significant rise in inflows reflects growing investor confidence in India’s property market, driven by strong demand across commercial, residential, and logistics segments. Institutional investors continue to show interest in both major urban centres and emerging real estate corridors.

Industry observers attribute the upward trend to steady economic growth, improved infrastructure development, and favourable policy support, which have collectively strengthened market sentiment.

Commercial real estate and warehousing assets remained key drivers of investment activity, while residential projects also witnessed steady participation from institutional players.

Experts believe that sustained economic momentum and urban expansion are likely to keep investor interest strong in the coming months, further supporting sectoral growth.

Mumbai, July 3: Indian equity markets opened on a positive note on Thursday, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rising nearly 1 per cent in early trade, supported by strong buying in IT and metal stocks.

Market sentiment remained upbeat as investors reacted to firm global cues and continued interest in export-oriented sectors. Heavyweight IT stocks led the rally, while metal shares also witnessed strong gains on improved demand outlook and commodity price trends.

Broader markets mirrored the optimism, with several mid-cap and small-cap stocks participating in the upward movement. Analysts noted that the early momentum reflects renewed investor confidence after recent market fluctuations.

However, market experts advised caution, stating that volatility may persist as investors track global economic indicators and upcoming policy updates.

Further trends during the trading session will depend on foreign fund flows, corporate earnings cues, and global market direction.

Ghaziabad , July 3: Strengthening its growth momentum in North India, Anytime Fitness, India’s fastest-growing fitness franchise and part of the world’s largest gym chain, has unveiled its newest club in Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad. The launch underscores the brand’s continued commitment to making premium, world-class fitness more accessible across fast-growing urban communities.

The newly launched club is owned and operated by Mr. Mayank Agrawal and Ms. Priya Agrawal. Their entry into the fitness entrepreneurship space reflects the growing demand for structured, premium fitness solutions in cities like Ghaziabad and the increasing awareness around preventive health and active lifestyles.

The Anytime Fitness Siddharth Vihar club features state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, dedicated functional training zones, certified personal trainers, and Anytime Fitness’ signature 24/7 access, offering unmatched convenience and flexibility. Members will also benefit from access to the brand’s global network of clubs and its holistic approach to fitness, which combines personalized coaching, community engagement, and safe workout environments.

Speaking on the expansion, Mr. Vikas Jain, Managing Director, Anytime Fitness India, said:

“The launch of our Siddharth Vihar Club marks another significant milestone in Anytime Fitness India’s growth journey in North India. Ghaziabad continues to emerge as a high-potential fitness market, and this expansion reflects our commitment to making premium fitness more accessible across fast-growing urban communities. We are delighted to partner with entrepreneurs like Mr. Mayank Agrawal and Ms. Priya Agrawal who share our vision of empowering communities through fitness.”

Anytime Fitness has built a strong presence across India through its rapidly expanding network, serving a growing community of fitness enthusiasts. Ghaziabad remains a strategic focus market for the brand, driven by rising health awareness, rapid urbanisation, and increasing demand for premium fitness experiences.

Since entering India in 2013, Anytime Fitness has grown to 180+ clubs nationwide, redefining fitness with its accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation. Beyond gyms, the brand has fostered community-driven initiatives like FitCraft and Be Fit Fest, bringing together members, trainers, and fitness enthusiasts to celebrate active living.

The new launch aligns with Anytime Fitness India’s vision to strengthen its presence in high-growth markets and contribute to building a healthier, fitter India.

July 03: As millions of Indians increasingly choose premium intercity buses over short-aul flights and trains, passenger expectations are evolving beyond affordability and convenience to place greater emphasis on safety, reliability and service quality. Reflecting this shift, FlixBus, the global travel-tech platform operating one of India’s fastest-growing intercity bus networks, today shared the comprehensive safety standards, operating protocols and oversight measures that underpin its services across the country.

Applied across FlixBus’s network of more than 330+ cities and in partnership with over 60 SME fleet operators that it has partnered with since launch, the framework forms part of the company’s ongoing #HarSafarSafer commitment. Combining stringent partner onboarding, technology enabled monitoring, vehicle safety requirements, crew training and continuous operational oversight, these measures are designed to strengthen passenger safety, improve operational consistency and enhance accountability across every journey operating under the FlixBus brand.

The following measures reflect the operating practices and safeguards that guide the FlixBus network across India:

Vehicle preparedness and maintenance:

Every bus operating under the FlixBus brand in India is BS-I compliant, with the fleet’s average age maintained below 1.5 years. A majority of the fleet is equipped with ABS, ESC, ADAS, lane departure warning and emergency brake assist, and carries a three-point seatbelt at every seat. Prior to every departure, buses undergo a rigorous multi-point safety inspection, with more than 15 checks recorded centrally rather than self-certified by operators. Drivers also undergo alcohol breathalyser checks prior to departure from designated hubs. Buses are equipped with fire extinguishers and emergency glass-breaking hammers to support passenger evacuation and emergency response when required. Eligible newer vehicles are fitted with Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS) in line with applicable standards and vehicle specifications.

Crew training and passenger support:

Every journey is staffed by a trained, uniformed on-bus host, while all operating crew members undergo background verification through an independent third-arty agency before deployment on the network. FlixBus has also partnered with the Value Life Foundation to deliver a specialised training programme for bus hosts and ground operations staff. The programme covers emergency first response, CPR and AED usage, fire safety, evacuation procedures and crisis communication. To further scale these capabilities, FlixBus is also planning to certify a cohort of internal field coordinators as trainers who will aim to support the programme’s rollout across the network. Additionally, gender-based seating is implemented as a standard feature on all journeys to enhance passenger comfort and security, while a dedicated 24/7 customer support team is available to assist passengers before, during and after their journey.

Operator oversight and accountability:

FlixBus operates an asset-light model, with buses run by strong regional operator partners under the FlixBus brand. Each operator is onboarded against the company’s safety standards before operating any route. Compliance is monitored on an ongoing basis through GPS-based fleet tracking, AI-enabled dashcams and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) installed across the network to help identify behaviours such as driver fatigue and distraction. These systems are monitored through FlixBus’s 24/7 Traffic Control Centre and incident response team.

Electric fleet:

The same operational, vehicle and passenger protection requirements apply across FlixBus’s electric intercity fleet, with no separate or reduced benchmark for EV operations. FlixBus currently operates electric coaches on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada and Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam corridors, and has signed an MoU with Vertelo as part of its plans to support the deployment of up to 500 electric intercity buses across India in the coming years.

“As private intercity bus travel grows into a mainstream choice for Indian travellers, the basis on which that choice is made has to evolve too,” said Surya Khurana, Managing Director, FlixBus India. “Every bus that carries the FlixBus brand in India, regardless of which of our operator partners runs it, is held to the same standard, on the vehicle, on board, and in how that operator is monitored. That consistency is not an add-on to the journey; it is the journey. We are setting this out clearly because we believe travellers are owed clarity on what they can expect, and because we think it is a baseline the rest of the sector should be expected to meet as this category continues to scale. #HarSafarSafer is our way of holding ourselves to that, on every route, every day.” 

These measures form part of FlixBus’s broader effort to bring greater consistency and transparency to intercity bus travel as its network grows across India.