MAM
Maruti Suzuki collaborates with Saraswat Co-operative Bank for retail car financing
MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), announced the signing of a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd (Saraswat Bank). Under this collaboration, the latter will provide customised auto retail financing solutions for customers. With this tie-up, MSIL aims to help dealer partners offer comprehensive retail financing solutions to its customers.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Allied Business senior executive officer of marketing & sales Partho Banerjee, executive officer of marketing & sales Bhuvan Dheer, vice president Kamal Mahtta and Maruti Suzuki Finance & Driving School from Maruti Suzuki general manager Vishal Sharma and Saraswat Bank chairman Gautam E Thakur, chief business officer Priyam Alok, MD & CEO Arti Patil, director Laxman Samant and director Kiran Umrootkar and other senior officials from both organisations.
MSIL senior executive officer of marketing & sales Partho Banerjee said, “At Maruti Suzuki, customers remain at the heart of everything we do. Our partnership with Saraswat Bank is a step forward in providing our customers with easy, flexible, and personalized financing options that cater to their needs. By leveraging the collaboration with Saraswat Bank, we will ensure that customers can access tailored financing solutions, making the process of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle all the more convenient. This initiative also reaffirms our commitment to constantly widen our gamut of offerings to our customers, aligning perfectly with our vision of spreading the joy of mobility for all.”
Saraswat co-operative Bank chairman Gautam E Thakur said, “We are glad to have Maruti Suzuki as our partner for offering car financing solutions. This association will ensure that customers have very competitive terms and best possible services, which shall benefit them immensely.”
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
