Development Watch – Week #1 Nov’26

Development News

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Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train at 249 kmph speed

India’s first indigenous bullet train is moving closer to reality, with the manufacturing of its prototype nearing a crucial safety-testing milestone at Bharat Earth Movers Limited’s (BEML) facility in Bengaluru. Named Bharat 28 (B-28), the high-speed train is being developed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor and will be capable of carrying 557 passengers across eight coaches. The train is designed to achieve a maximum test speed of 280 kmph, while its operational speed will be 249 kmph. It will feature seven standard-class coaches, one executive-class coach, Wi-Fi connectivity, charging points, wide windows, accessible toilets and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. The Railways is targeting commercial operations in August 2027.

Complex assemblies for aircrafts by Airbus

Airbus plans to increase its annual sourcing of components and services from India to USD 2 billion before 2030, up from the current USD 1.6 billion. India head Jurgen Westermeier called the country a “very important market” and stressed the need to strengthen local manufacturing, MRO infrastructure and aviation training as the country’s aircraft fleet expands. Airbus is also exploring opportunities to source raw materials from India, including processed titanium, aluminium alloys and composites.

Road Ministry MoU with Bihar for river silt

The ministry of road transport and highways and Bihar government will undertake desilting of identified rivers and other water bodies and utilisation of suitable excavated silt in National Highway construction projects in the state. An MoU was signed between the ministry and state of Bihar to this effect on Tuesday. The plan is to use 243 lakh cubic metres of silt in 16 ongoing National Highway projects and another 835 lakh cubic metres for 27 future projects in the state. Currently, 39 projects of the National Highways Authority of India covering approximately 1,561 km, with an estimated investment of Rs 58,340 crore, are under construction in Bihar while another 11 projects covering around 1,982 km and involving an estimated investment of Rs 1,85,200 crore are proposed. The availability of suitable excavated silt is expected to meet a significant part of the material requirement of these projects, reduce construction costs and facilitate timely execution of highway works. Envisioned as ‘Nadi Sanjivani’, the initiative seeks to restore the water-carrying capacity of rivers and water bodies, strengthen flood management, conserve agricultural land and provide a sustainable source of construction material for National Highway projects.

NBCC to build Maharana Pratap Statue

NBCC Ltd will create the world’s tallest statue of Maharana Pratap in Haldighati, Rajasthan. The project is part of a Rs 168 crore tourist circuit to promote the region’s historical significance. A world-class museum will showcase the legendary warrior and his horse, Chetak. An immersive projection show will highlight the historical events from the Battle of Haldighati. The circuit aims to enhance Haldighati’s appeal as a heritage and tourism destination.

Shapoorji to monetize 3,000 acres land parcel in Mumbai

Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate aims to develop a substantial plotted township in the Mumbai-Pune corridor. The project covers 900 acres and has an estimated gross development value exceeding Rs 6,000 crore. The company has secured approvals for the first phase, which spans 200 acres and will generate about Rs 1,800 crore. The project focused on wellness will be developed in phases, with the first 200 acres expected to contribute around Rs 1,800 crore to the overall revenue potential.

Electric Car sales double in October

Sales of electric cars in the Indian market almost doubled to 35,777 units last month from a year earlier, according to vehicle registration data from the government’s Vahan portal. This indicates an increasing shift among consumers to electric amid high fuel prices. EV sales were 18,055 in the same month last year, as per vehicle registration data from the portal. Tata Motors retained its lead in the EV market with a 40.7% share in October. Mahindra had a 23.7% share, followed by JSW MG Motor India (16.4), VinFast (7.2) and Maruti Suzuki (3.3%).

Solar manufacturing to generate 32 lakh jobs

India could transform its solar manufacturing industry into a fully integrated global powerhouse by 2047. It would create 32.3 lakh direct and indirect jobs and attracting USD 89 billion in manufacturing investment, according to a report by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA). Titled Vision 2047: Solar Manufacturing from Polysilicon to Power Plant, the report presents a pathway for India to move beyond module assembly and set up manufacturing capabilities across the entire solar value chain — from polysilicon and ingots to wafers, cells and modules.