Development Watch – Week #4 Jan’25

Development News

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11 countries participate in Maritime India Conference

Around 7,500 stakeholders from 11 countries, including the US, UAE, and Norway, will participate in the Maritime India Conference. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will address the event. The conference will focus on transforming ports with smart technologies and sustainable practices, accelerating de-carbonization, enhancing maritime logistics, and innovations in shipbuilding and repair. The event aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030. Besides, delegates from the Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium, Denmark and Italy will also share views at the conference which begins on January 22 in Mumbai.

Rs. 3,500 Cr investment for electric trucks in Maharashtra

LNG-powered truck maker Blue Energy Motors on Wednesday said it plans to invest Rs. 3,500-crore for setting up an electric trucks production plant in Maharashtra to fuel the state’s green energy transition. Under the terms of an initial pact, announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Blue Energy Motors will establish a dedicated facility for advanced electric (EV) trucks that will house advanced R&D capabilities, battery-pack line, motor manufacturing unit and set up charging stations as well. This investment, according to the company, is expected to generate direct employment for over 4,000 people. The new inter-connected facility will implement industry-leading manufacturing practices to produce zero-emission electric trucks.

Wind Energy in India for night time clean power

Wind power installations in India rose to a seven-year high in 2024, boosted by growing demand for round-the-clock clean energy. The nation added 3.4 gigawatts of wind power capacity last year, the most since 2017, data from the Central Electricity Authority show. “We should be able to do even better this year,” as per secretary general of the Indian Wind Power Association. India has added nearly 130 gigawatts of renewable capacity over the past decade, mostly driven by solar power. During this time, the country’s solar generation capacity has risen by more than 26 times, but its wind installations have merely doubled. Wind mills are seen as critical to meet power requirements in the evenings, when the sun isn’t shining, especially during the high-demand summer months. Lack of sufficient transmission lines to carry power to demand centers is emerging as the biggest obstacle to clean energy penetration across the world. Soaring global demand has left equipment suppliers over-booked, resulting in delivery times being delayed by four years or more.

NTPC to start commercial operations of 200 MW solar project in Gujarat

State-owned power giant NTPC on Monday said its arm NTPC REL has started partial commercial operations of a 200 MW solar project in Gujarat. The 25 MW capacity out of 200 MW has been commissioned at the Gujarat Solar PV Project located at Sadla in Gujarat, NTPC said in a regulatory filing. 25 MW out of 200 MW of NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL).. is declared on Commercial Operation w.e.f. January 17, 2025.

Rs. 9,000 Crores deal for 8 NHAI assets

PNC Infratech, an infrastructure company, has received in-principle approval from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to transfer its 100% stake in two subsidiaries (SPVs) managing the Bundelkhand and Khajuraho road projects to the KKR-backed Highways Infrastructure Trust (HIT). This development keeps the PNC-KKR deal on track for closure by March 31, 2025, as PNC Infratech works toward fulfilling the conditions precedents (CPs) required for the transaction. The company aims to close the deal for 10 of the 12 assets by the end of the current financial year, representing approximately 85% of the total deal value. The transaction for the remaining two assets is expected to be completed by the first half of FY26, the source stated.

Reasons to invest in Rural India

Rural India is a key driver of the nation’s growth, with government initiatives aimed at improving quality of life and socio-economic inclusion. Rising incomes, employment opportunities, and significant investments are transforming rural areas, highlighting their crucial role in India’s economic development. The Economic Survey 2022-23 noted that 65 per cent of the country’s population lives in the rural areas and 47 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture for livelihood. The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by the PM in New Delhi in January. Rural economy contributes to nearly half of India’s GDP. Improvement of life touches all areas including access to electricity, drinking water sources, improved standard of living, coverage under health insurance schemes, owning bank accounts, use of mobile phones and women empowerment.

Rural SVAMITWA scheme for 65 lakh Property Cards

Prime Minister distributed over 65 lakh property cards to property owners under the SVAMITVA scheme, across ten states and two union territories. When we talk about empowerment, our focus has been on villages, the poor, the Dalits, the exploited, the afflicted, the deprived, the youth, women, farmers – in line with “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”. An initiative to provide 5 kg of free food grains to 80 crore people is a key step in ensuring food security. The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) initiative is making significant strides in transforming rural India. Under the initiative, the Government is providing accurate property ownership data, with clear ownership records in hand, thereby, land disputes have reduced.

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