Development Watch – Week #1 November ’22

Development News

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Indian Green investments up to $12.1 trillion by 2050

India has committed to net zero emissions by 2070. As per earlier estimates, the shift to net zero in the coming 50 years will need $10 trillion with of investments. However, India can aim to accelerate green investments to $12.2 trillion by 2050 itself. This is according to a report by a consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. India has the potential to create 287 gigatons of carbon space globally if it accelerates climate change efforts. India can also have cumulative forex savings of $1.7 trillion from reduced energy imports of crude oil and coking coal if it transitions to clean energy in a well-planned, orderly manner.

ABB India’s first smart instrumentation factory in Bengal

ABB inaugurated its first smart instrumentation factory in Bengaluru for mass production of measurement and analytical devices. This would help in its ambition of transforming the region into a global design and manufacturing hub. Field devices like pressure and temperature transmitters, IP convertors and electromagnetic flowmeters will be manufactured here. This would serve a wide variety of industries such as power, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, water, and other segments.

New freight corridors at 56% Completion

Progress of 56% of dedicated freight corridors have been commissioned on crucial railway lines. More than 99% of the land required for eastern and western corridors of the project has been acquired by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL). Freight corridors would help decongest existing Railways network which faces track availability issues. Once complete, freight corridors will provide seamless movement of goods across ports and manufacturing-consumption hubs of India.

QR ticket service for Bangalore Metro

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has announced a partnership to launch Whatsapp chatbot based QR ticketing service. The whatsapp chatbot is available in English and Kannada for all commuters of Namma (Bengaluru) Metro. Commuters can send a simple ‘Hi’ message to the designated number (+91 81055 56677). They can then choose from the various options like recharging metro travel passes and purchasing single journey tickets using payments on Whatsapp. Chatbot is also integrated with UPI-backed payments on Whatsapp and allows riders to buy tickets, and even recharge travel cards through Whatsapp.

Indian Railways delivers good to Bhutan

Indian Railways has delivered first consignment of goods to Bhutan through a multi-modal route. 75 utility vehicles bought by Bhutan were transported via Chennai-Hasimara (WB)-Alipurduar(WB). From Alipurduar, vehicles were taken by road to Bhutan. This was a first of its kind initiative, and more goods would be delivered in future, based on demand from Bhutan.

Blockchain based Digital platform on Road Safety

International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety body, said that it will launch a blockchain based digital platform on road safety. It would be similar to CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network), and will feature an integrated data related to road audits, enforcement, emergency care, and insurance providers. It would also connect users with road operating authorities, enforcement agencies, and emergency service providers. It is aimed to be a one stop solution for all needs of road commuters.

First commercial flight to Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh

Alliance Air has started the first fixed-wing commercial passenger flight to Ziro in Lower Subansiri. It will begin from Lilabari in Assam. The flight is part of the UDAN scheme of central government. Alliance Air operations will lead to greater air connectivity in North East. There are other flights between Shillong-Lilabari and Imphal-Aizawl. It would help the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The launch of these operations are an important gesture. The connectivity will help promote people to people contact, tourism and trade in the North East.

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