Development Watch – Week #1 Mar’25
Development News
Cargo link from Gujarat to reach Kazakhstan
India’s connectivity and trade with Central Asia have been enhanced by a shipment from Gujarat. Central Asia is land-locked but resource-rich. The cargo consignment from Gujarat uses the eastern route of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The consignment was dispatched from Gujarat’s Mundra Port on India’s west coast. It will reach Kazakhstan after traversing Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It will follow the route of Mundra (Gujarat) -> Bandar Abbas (Iran) -> train transport (Turkmenistan) -> Uzbekistan -> Kazakhstan. INSTC connects western India with Russia through Iran. Eastern route of INSTC is also used by India for trading with Russia. It is the most convenient among all its 3 branches in terms of volume of goods transportation and geographical coverage.
DPR for first railway link to Bhutan from Assam
Landlocked Bhutan is set to get its first railway link with Indian Railways. A detailed project report (DPR) for laying of tracks to Gelephu from Assam’s Kokrajhar, a 70 km line. The final location survey for the proposed railway line has already been completed. The approval of DPR is now awaited. Estimated cost of the project is Rs. 3,500 Crores. The project includes the development of 6 new stations like Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri and Gelephu. The infrastructure plan features 2 important bridges, 29 major bridges, 65 minor bridges, one road over-bridge, 39 road under-bridges and 2 viaducts of 11m length. The rail link is expected to enhance trade, tourism and cultural exchange. It will position the Bodoland Territorial Region as a trade and transit hub, benefiting local businesses and communities. It is part of the PM’s vision of ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.
Navi Mumbai airport draws airlines for operations
India’s low-cost carriers like IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa, plan to shift operations to Navi Mumbai Airport. An opening in May is targeted. However, challenges persist due to the lack of high-speed transportation links between the new and existing airports in Mumbai. The Navi Mumbai airport is located 22 miles south east of Mumbai’s congested existing aerodrome. The $2.1 billion airport is a landmark infrastructure project for 21 million (2.1 Crore) people in Mumbai. The international transit hub will be similar to Dubai, London or Singapore. The plan also includes an “aero city” around the new airport to boost non-aviation sources of revenue. The new airport will operate one terminal with an annual capacity of 20 million passengers. Later it can be ramped up to handle 90 million passengers in the next decade.
$5 billion investment by Maersk in Indian ports
AP Moller Maersk plans to invest $5 billion in India’s ports, terminals and landside infrastructure over the next few years. The investment will focus on expansion of Pipavav terminal. It will also include development of one of the container terminals at Vadhavan Port and logistics segment of India. Maersk aims to streamline supply chains by integrating transportation, port handling, warehousing and distributing services.
Railways 2030 Net Zero plan on RE and Nuclear Power
Indian Railways plans to meet its 10-gigawatt traction requirement by 2030 using a mix of nuclear, solar, hydropower, wind, and thermal sources. With 95% of trains running on electricity by 2025-26, carbon emissions are expected to reduce significantly. The initiative brings environmental benefits and significant cost savings in diesel expenditure. The 2030 Net Zero strategy will help meet the 10 GW traction requirement (energy used for running trains). 3 GW of the requirement would be fulfilled from renewable energy.
Indian Railways to get most advanced powerful engine
Indian Railway Minister has announced the imminent launch of a 9,000 Horse Power locomotive, mostly made in India. It will enhance the freight train efficiency. The state of the art engine would take a time of 30-40 days to be ready for rollout. It will significantly boost freight operations and integrate with advanced digital tracking systems. The 9,000 HP engine will be capable of hauling freight trains weighing between 4,500-5,000 tonnes at a maximum speed of 100 kmph. It will be manufactured at the locomotive manufacturing unit in Dahod, Gujarat. The locomotives will be compatible with digital tracking systems, Kavach, and environmentally friendly attributes. High horsepower locomotives are necessary for facilitating quicker track clearance for more efficient train operations. In 2020, the railways produced 12,000 HP electric locomotives at the Electric Locomotive Factory in Madhepura, Bihar.
Significant number of orders in Residential segment
L&T has bagged a significant number of projects from a reputed developer to construct residential towers. B&F vertical of L&T will construct residential towers in Mumbai, as stated in a regulatory filing by L&T. A ‘significant order’ refers to a project valued between Rs. 1,000 – 2,500 Crores. L&T is a $27 billion Indian multinational enterprise engaged in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects, hi-tech manufacturing and services, operating across multiple geographies.
Rural financial inclusion for 2047 Viksit Bharat
Financial inclusion is key to achieving India’s Viksit Bharat goal by 2047, ensuring growth is broad-based and equitable. Innovations in technology and policies like the JAM trinity have improved access to financial services. There is a shift in focus from access to the quality and holistic well-being of financial health.
Local Feedback
LocalFeedback.org aims to track and document actionable parameters that help improve urban and rural infrastructure. The founder, Susmita, has juggled diverse roles in real estate, project budgeting, valuation and execution on construction sites. Having traveled to more than 20 countries, she has worked across 4 regions in India. Her areas of interest include sustainable buildings, electric mobility and urban development. She visited top-ranking cities on livability indices and has presented published papers at international conferences.