Development Watch – Week #4 Nov’25

Development News

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Rs. 8,300 Crores coastal highway project for Odisha

Union Finance Ministry’s has approved Rs. 8,300 Crore for Rameshwar Paradip coastal highway in the state of Odisha. According to Odisha’s Works Minister, around 60-70% of the land acquisition for the project is complete. The Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Finance has approved alignment of the route from Rameshwar to Paradip. After approval is obtained from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, NHAI will float a tender for the construction. The 345 km highway will eventually connect Digha in West Bengal to Rameshwar in Odisha’s Khorda district.

India to become a global shipbuilding hub

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated India is poised to be a global shipbuilding hub within a decade, inviting international collaboration. India has an integrated, end-to-end shipbuilding ecosystem. From concept design to life cycle support, every stage of the shipbuilding process is indigenously developed and executed. India also has the capacity to produce advanced research vessels, aircraft carriers, submarines and energy-efficient commercial ships. India’s public and private shipyards, backed by thousands of MSMEs have created a robust value chain that spans steel, propulsion, electronics, sensors and advanced combat systems. Several successful shipbuilding efforts include India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Kalvari-class submarines, stealth frigates and guided missile destroyers.

Shillong Airport expansion

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi on Monday, and discussed the expansion plans for the Shillong airport. He also urged for the inclusion of the Baljek airport near Tura in the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. The enhancement of aviation infrastructure is crucial for the state’s tourism economy. It will also enable growth for ancillary sectors like handicrafts, and agriculture and support livelihood of farmers and women self-help-groups of Meghalaya.

Indian Railways crosses 1 billion tonne freight loading

Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone, crossing the 1-billion-tonne freight loading mark. Coal remains the top contributor, with other key sectors also showing strong performance. Daily loading rates have increased, reflecting improved efficiency and sustained demand. Reforms in cement transportation are enhancing logistics. Shifting freight to rail offers environmental benefits, supporting India’s Net Zero goals. This milestone reflects broad-based support from key sectors, with coal remaining the largest contributor at 505 MT, followed by iron ore (115 MT), cement (92 MT), container traffic (59 MT), pig iron & finished steel (47 MT), fertilisers (42 MT), mineral oil (32 MT), foodgrains (30 MT), raw materials for steel plants (approx. 20 MT), and balance-other-goods (74 MT). Daily loading continues to hold strong at around 4.4 MT, higher than 4.2 MT last year, demonstrating improved operational efficiency and sustained demand.

Stronger institutional inflows in real estate across asset classes

India is emerging as one of Asia Pacific’s most promising real estate investment markets, as fresh capital platforms, deeper institutional participation, and broader asset-class expansion reshape the landscape. New funds such as PRIME Office Fund, Artha Global Opportunities, DRA–Balajadia, and SGRE reflect growing confidence, with domestic and global investors accelerating deployments across core and alternative assets ahead of 2026. Capital flows into India are widening across asset classes as investors diversify beyond traditional office and residential segments. Logistics, data centres, industrial parks, senior living, land acquisition vehicles, and development-focused strategies are drawing greater institutional interest. The expansion of purpose-built platforms and specialised funds signals a maturing ecosystem, where private equity firms, sovereign funds, and domestic institutions are committing capital across income-yielding assets.

Inox Wind to develop 2.5 GW wind-solar hybrid projects

Inox Wind has entered into an agreement with KP Energy for jointly developing 2.5 GW of wind-solar hybrid projects in multiple states across the country. Under the MoU with KP Energy, Inox Wind Limited (IWL) along with its subsidiaries will supply wind turbine generators and associated equipment. It will also provide engineering support including USS design, transformer specifications, and foundation design, and execute pre-commissioning, commissioning and O&M of wind turbine generators. KP Energy will undertake project development activities such as securing connectivity, land and right-of-way, obtaining statutory approvals, and executing balance of plant and EPC works.