The order is for seven 4/1 Prisma presses, featuring a total of 25 reelstands, 25 four-high towers and seven folders.

The DB Group comes under the umbrella of the Mumbai-based, Diligent Media Corporation,
a joint venture between the Dainik Bhaskar publishing corporation and media giant the Zee Group.

The press order, which will ship this year, is part of a move to increase the national scope of titles such as the Daily News & Analysis (DNA) into areas such as Baroda and Rajkot, which enjoyed a localised November launch in Ahmedabad and Surat.

Diligent Media Corporation chief executive K U Rao said the organisation was "looking at launching DNA in other major metros".

He added: "The intention is to become a large national player with dominant readership and circulation over the next three years."

Rao said KBA was awarded the contract as its printing line "compellingly demonstrated its user-friendliness and high print quality".