04 Nov 2025

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and highway developers to launch dedicated YouTube channels for regular project video uploads and to seek public feedback. The initiative aims to improve transparency and accountability by integrating video uploads into project contracts. Officials clarified that builders already submit drone videos, which can now be made public. Additionally, QR-coded hoardings with contractor and officer details will be installed on highways to help citizens identify responsible parties for maintenance and complaints.Read more

03 Nov 2025

During a recent workshop in Lucknow, Invest UP, in association with NITI Aayog and various state departments, emphasized the growing role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in driving Uttar Pradesh's infrastructure, industrial, and social development. The discussions centered on strengthening institutional capacity, improving project governance, and ensuring alignment between market needs and public priorities. Officials reiterated that PPPs would be key to achieving the state's USD 1 trillion economy target and contributing to India's USD 5 trillion goal, backed by digital monitoring tools, policy reforms, and investor-friendly initiatives.Read more

03 Nov 2025

The Central Government has agreed to cover the entire cost of constructing 92 railway overbridges across Odisha, following a request from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The decision, conveyed through a letter from the Ministry of Railways, marks a shift from the earlier cost-sharing model. The bridges will be built in several districts, including Khurda, Ganjam, and Cuttack. The move aims to improve safety, ease traffic congestion, and strengthen road-rail connectivity across the state, with work expected to proceed at a faster pace.Read more

03 Nov 2025

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has signed a INR 48.33 crore contract with Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Pvt Ltd to install an anti-drag passenger door safety system across all 52 trains operating under Phase I. The system enhances existing obstacle-detection technology by identifying thin or light materials such as saree ends, dupattas, bag straps, and belts that could get trapped during door closure. If entrapment occurs, it will trigger an emergency brake and alert the driver instantly. CMRL clarified that this initiative is a preventive safety upgrade, not incident-driven. The feature will also be standard on Phase II trains, reinforcing global safety standards and boosting public confidence in Chennai's metro system.Read more

03 Nov 2025

The Union government has initiated land acquisition for the 18.11 km Mohali-Rajpura railway link, at an estimated cost of INR 443 crore, which will span across 53.84 hectares in the Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts. The Ministry of Railways has asked the Government of Punjab to assist in securing and handing over the land needed for this special project. Project authorities believe the new link will directly connect the Malwa region with Chandigarh, ease congestion on the Chandigarh-Ambala section and provide an alternate freight corridor, benefiting farmers, traders and industrial zones. The demand dates back nearly fifty years, with earlier studies and approvals recorded in the 1990s and 2010s.Read more

03 Nov 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated rapid development of an airport, railway station and a multimodal logistics park within the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) zone, signalling a major push to transform the region into a manufacturing and logistics hub. Land acquisition measures have been tightened 56,662 acres have been approved, of which 22,028 acres are already acquired. Connectivity upgrades via the Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway, the Bundelkhand Expressway and the fourth Delhi-Chennai rail line are being prioritised. The digitalisation of land-processes and a farmer helpline are also underway.Read more

02 Nov 2025

The Odisha government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) to develop and operate two national waterways NW-5 and NW-64 with a total investment of INR 12,200 crore. The project aims to enable coal and other bulk cargo movement from the Talcher coalfields to Paradip and Dhamra ports via inland waterways. It will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Ltd (IWCOL), with IWAI responsible for preparatory work, infrastructure, and statutory clearances. The agreement is expected to reduce logistics costs, ease pressure on roads and railways and promote environmentally friendly transport.Read more

02 Nov 2025

Global shipping major MSC has expressed concern over key operational shortcomings at Kerala's Vizhinjam Port, operated by the Adani Group. Despite the port handling over 1.1 million TEUs since becoming operational in the second half of last year, the company stated that the absence of an ICEGATE electronic gateway forces reliance on manual documentation. MSC also pointed out the lack of immigration facilities, preventing crew members from disembarking. The company further emphasised the need for uniform import-export procedures across Indian ports to ensure smoother logistics operations.Read more

02 Nov 2025

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Swan Defence & Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) have entered into a teaming agreement to jointly design and build landing platform docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy as part of India's ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic defence production. The partnership was announced during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, shortly after the Defence Acquisition Council's approval for LPD procurement. MDL will manage the design and overall project execution, while SDHI will provide shipbuilding infrastructure and fabrication capabilities. The initiative highlights growing collaboration between public and private players in India's defence shipbuilding industry.Read more

02 Nov 2025

The Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and India's Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) signed an MoU earlier this week to collaborate on tugboat operations in India. The partnership aims to meet rising tug-service demand amid container throughput growth of around 6-8 % and energy cargo growth of 3-5 % annually. It is also aligned with India's low-emission initiative under the Green Tug Transition Programme that seeks to convert major-port tugs to "green" status by 2040. MOL will bring its expertise in safe port operations and alternative fuels, while SCI provides local infrastructure and port-network presence.Read more