Development Watch – Week #2 Nov’25

Development News

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India’s largest solar wafers & ingots plant

Tata Power is set to build India’s largest solar wafers and ingots plant with a 10 GW capacity. The facility to make the ingots and wafers – foundational material for solar cells – would complete Tata Power’s presence across the manufacturing chain for the product. The company already has 4.9 GW of integrated cell and module-making capacity. The company is exploring government financial support for this significant project. Tata Power is also considering entering nuclear power generation as India expands its nuclear capacity.

Solar grids struggle with over supply

India’s power grid faces significant challenges absorbing a surge in solar installations, leading to record curtailment rates. This mismatch between daytime solar supply and inflexible coal power generation highlights the urgent need for energy storage solutions to integrate renewables and meet evening demand. The situation threatens the nation’s clean energy goals. The curtailment rate for solar generation in October rose to about 12%, the highest since May when Grid Controller of India Ltd. started publishing the data. Coal power plants can’t reduce output fast enough to make room for surging solar output, and the fossil fuel must be kept in operation as it’s needed to meet demand after the sun sets. the need to integrate intermittent renewable energy sources with storage, like grid-scale batteries, so that excess electricity can be dispatched in the evening. India has about 44-gigawatts worth of green projects that are struggling to find state utilities to buy their electricity. The government is considering canceling projects where prospects of an offtake deal looks minimal, threatening a goal of doubling clean power capacity to 500 gigawatts by the end of the decade.

Emerging cities lead the next phase of growth

Nine emerging Indian cities are now major economic forces. These cities offer significant cost savings and operational advantages for businesses. Companies are finding lower attrition rates and talent cost benefits. Improved infrastructure and connectivity are driving this growth. This shift rebalances India’s economic geography, creating new opportunities beyond traditional metros. The 9 emerging cities include Chandigarh Tricity, Jaipur, Lucknow, Indore, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. They collectively command nearly Rs 10 trillion in economic output, alongside 70 million sq ft of Grade A office space and 80 million sq ft of logistics infrastructure. Corporates expanding beyond metros are realizing 25-50% savings across real estate, talent, and operations, while enjoying attrition rates up to 15% lower than in established markets. This shift is attributed to the growing maturity of regional economies supported by expanding infrastructure, improved connectivity, and a strong pool of skilled talent.

Need to modernize airport navigation systems

An electronic engineers’ body at AAI has urged the government to prioritize modernizing airport navigation systems following recent air traffic control issues in Delhi. The association highlighted neglect of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure and over-reliance on outdated automation. Hence there is a need for better deployment of trained engineers and incorporation of their technical inputs. The Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel Association (ATSEPA) India also alleged that despite early warnings, proposals, and continuous representations, CNS system upgradation, redundancy creation, and proper deployment of trained engineers have not been taken up with the urgency required for a 24X7 essential aviation service.

Vande Bharat sleeper train travels at 180 kmph

The Vande Bharat sleeper train achieved 180 kilometres per hour during trials in Kota. This high-speed test was conducted in both loaded and empty conditions. The train’s stability, safety, and ride comfort were evaluated. This marks a significant step for ‘Mission Raftar’ and ‘Make in India’. Indian Railways is showcasing its technical self-reliance. The first rake of the Vande Bharat sleeper train was put on trial between December 2024 and January 2025 in the same Kota division of West Central Railways. The second rake of high-speed Vande Bharat sleeper train (Version 2, 16 coaches) in both loaded and empty conditions was successfully tested by the Testing Directorate team of Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow, from November 2 to 17.

MMRDA plans 70-km underground road network

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has started preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed Integrated Tunnel Road Network, a new underground transport system that aims to become Mumbai’s third mode of mobility after the surface road and metro rail networks. The 70-km tunnel network will be implemented in three phases based on traffic needs and future mobility demand. The underground network will link the Mumbai Coastal Road, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) High-Speed Rail Station, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The three phases will include 16-km Worli Sea Link-BKC-Airport Loop, 10-km East-West Link, and 44-km North-South Corridor. The proposed network will integrate metro, coastal, and tunnel corridors to achieve the ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ vision. 

UP Tourism focus on wellness centres

Uttar Pradesh is inviting entrepreneurs to build wellness centres and resorts. This initiative under the Tourism Policy 2022 aims to promote holistic health and traditional healing. The state seeks to become a national hub for health and rejuvenation tourism. Benefits like capital investment support and exemptions are offered. Through this initiative, UP aims to promote AYUSH-based therapies like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy and give tourists an experience that brings peace to both body and mind. Under the Tourism Policy 2022, a Wellness Centre must have a minimum of five therapy rooms providing specialized AYUSH-based therapies such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. A Wellness Resort requires a minimum of one acre of land with twenty rooms and dedicated therapy areas offering these services.