28 Sep 2025

Indian Railways has launched four new freight services with fixed, notified schedules in North India to connect production and consumption centres more reliably. These services include Annapurna, Gati-Vahan, Niryaat Cargo and Anantnag Cement that carry goods such as food grains, automobiles, containers and cement. Transit times have been significantly reduced on many routes. The move comes after consultations with stakeholders like the Food Corporation of India (FCI), automobile manufacturers, and exporters. A change in land leasing rules will allow setting up grading and sorting units on vacant railway land to support e-commerce freight too.Read more

28 Sep 2025

President Smt Droupadi Murmu travelled this past week to Mathura and Vrindavan on the Maharajas' Express, which was designated as the "President's Special" for the visit. The 18-coach formation included luxury coaches, restaurants, lounges, and additional AC coaches for staff, with two locomotives assigned for reliability. The itinerary covered prominent temples in Vrindavan and Mathura, and security arrangements were coordinated between Northern and North Central Railway zones. This was the President's second notable train journey, following her earlier trip from Bhubaneswar to Rairangpur in 2023.Read more

28 Sep 2025

Sempra is set to sell a USD 10 billion stake in its infrastructure business to a KKR-led consortium, giving the group 65% ownership, while Sempra and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority retain 25% and 10%, respectively. The infrastructure unit is valued at approximately USD 22.2 billion. At the same time, Sempra approved a USD 14 billion expansion of its Port Arthur LNG facility in Texas, which will add two liquefaction trains, storage, and support facilities, increasing capacity by 13 million tonnes annually with operations expected in 2030-31. The move is part of Sempra's strategy to streamline operations and improve earnings per share from 2027.Read more

28 Sep 2025

RKCPL Ltd, a Haryana-based infrastructure and construction company, has filed draft papers with the capital markets regulator to raise INR 1,250 crore through an initial public offering. The IPO will include a fresh equity issue of INR 700 crore and an offer-for-sale of INR 550 crore by existing shareholders Naresh Kumar and Krishan Kumar Goyal, who plan to sell shares worth INR 275 crore each. Funds from the fresh issue are earmarked for working capital, equipment purchase, debt repayment, and investments in subsidiaries. The company is active in EPC and Hybrid Annuity Model projects across India.Read more

27 Sep 2025

Transnet has entered into a ten-year supply agreement with Liebherr and a 20-year asset management programme to modernise South Africa's port operations. The partnership covers the delivery of cranes and long-term maintenance support. Orders already placed include four ship-to-shore cranes for Durban and 48 rubber-tyred gantry cranes for Durban and Cape Town. The deal also provides for rail-mounted gantry and mobile harbour cranes, as well as expanded service facilities. Liebherr is setting up a new competence and training centre in Durban and improving service capacity in Cape Town to ensure local support.Read more

27 Sep 2025

The Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) has extended its Local Planning Area (LPA) from 407 square kilometres to 757 square kilometres by adding 46 villages across Dharwad, Hubballi Urban, Hubballi Rural, and Kalghatagi taluks. This expansion aims to control unplanned growth, prevent illegal layouts, and ensure better infrastructure development. A new master plan for 2041 is being prepared to integrate these villages and guide industrial, commercial, and residential development. The inclusion of these villages is expected to improve amenities and enhance land value for farmers.Read more

27 Sep 2025

The Union Cabinet has approved a INR 69,725 crore package to strengthen India's shipbuilding and maritime sector. The package focuses on enhancing domestic capacity, providing long-term financing, supporting greenfield and brownfield shipyard projects, improving technical skills, and implementing policy, legal, and taxation reforms. The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme will continue until 2036 with INR 24,736 crore, including a shipbreaking credit note of INR 4,001 crore. The Maritime Development Fund of INR 25,000 crore and Shipbuilding Development Scheme with INR 19,989 crore will further support the sector, overseen by the newly established National Shipbuilding Mission.Read more

27 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Odisha to inaugurate railway projects valued at over INR 1,700 crore and flag off the Amrit Bharat Express connecting Berhampur in Odisha to Udhna in Surat, Gujarat. The new train aims to improve connectivity across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, supporting both passenger travel and industrial transport. During the visit, Modi also addressed a public meeting in Jharsuguda, inaugurated key road and rail infrastructure, and announced initiatives under the 'Seva Parv' program, including expansions for IITs, hospital upgrades, skill development schemes, and aid for thousands of beneficiaries.Read more

27 Sep 2025

The European Union has announced that it will delay the implementation of its anti-deforestation law by another year, marking the second postponement of the measure. The legislation, which seeks to prevent imports of commodities such as palm oil, beef and soy linked to deforestation, faced pushback from trade partners including the United States, Brazil and Indonesia, alongside concerns from European producers. Officials stated that the delay was due to unresolved issues with IT systems required for monitoring compliance. Environmental campaigners have strongly criticised the decision.Read more

27 Sep 2025

Indian Railways is rolling out a new Vande Metro service linking Secunderabad and Muzaffarpur through Patna and Gaya. The service is aimed as migrant workers from Bihar living in Hyderabad often struggle to secure seats on long-distance trains. With an equal number of general and sleeper class coaches, the train promises better affordability and accessibility. The move is part of South Central Railway's broader plan to expand low-fare regional connectivity. Companies and daily wage earners are expected to benefit as the new route reduces dependency on the limited weekly express service.Read more

26 Sep 2025

The UK government has approved Gatwick Airport's plan to make its northern runway operational on a routine basis, a project valued at 2.2 billion pounds (USD 2.96 billion). The plan aims to handle millions of additional passengers in the 2030s and create approximately 14,000 jobs. VINCI Airports, which holds a majority stake, confirmed full funding for the project. Safety upgrades include moving the backup runway by 12 metres. While legal challenges may arise, the government believes sustainable aviation fuels ensure airport growth aligns with net-zero targets.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Mohan Yadav recently inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects exceeding INR 162 crore in Rewa district's Tyonthar constituency. These initiatives include the establishment of a new 400-acre industrial hub, expansion of the local Civil Hospital, construction of a new Industrial Training Institute (ITI), and development of a river corridor along the Tamas River. Additionally, a INR 125 crore compressed biogas plant by IOCGPS Renewable Pvt Ltd was inaugurated, aimed at purchasing crop residue from farmers to generate additional income and ensure cleaner fields. The CM also highlighted the region's growing role as an energy hub, noting achievements in thermal, solar, and renewable energy sectors.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Alpex Solar has secured INR 260.17 crore via a preferential equity and warrant issue to accelerate its expansion in the solar energy sector. The company plans to increase its solar module capacity from 1.2 GW to 3.6 GW and establish a solar cell capacity of 1.6 GW by FY27. Trial production of solar cells is scheduled soon, while a 12,000 MTPA aluminium frame facility is also set to be operational. The capital infusion will help Alpex achieve full-scale production across its solar cells, modules, and aluminium frames, supporting its vision of becoming an integrated manufacturer.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Chennai's new multi-modal transport app, Chennai One, has launched to unify the city's public transport, including buses, metro lines, and suburban trains, into a single platform. Within the first 24 hours, it recorded over 1.3 lakh downloads and more than 4,000 ticket bookings. Developed by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), the app provides cashless ticketing via UPI, GPS-based vehicle tracking, and a single QR code for all transport modes. Initial feedback highlights areas for improvement, including last-mile connectivity and system integration.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has asked Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to fast-track the Master Plan 2041, highlighting the need for a clear, long-term plan to address the city's developmental challenges and benefit future generations. The Delhi Development Authority is preparing the plan, which aims to guide urban growth for the coming decades. The Chief Minister also reviewed the draft, stressing concrete solutions, while LG Saxena confirmed focused efforts for timely implementation. Parallelly, the Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan has advanced rural infrastructure projects, improving life in 50 villages.Read more

26 Sep 2025

The new premises of KingMakers IAS Academy in Anna Nagar, Chennai, were inaugurated by former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, in the presence of Shri G.K. Vasan, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister for Shipping. Shri Kovind acknowledged the academy's 12-year journey of training civil service aspirants, highlighting its support for students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds. The academy has produced over 1,000 civil servants, including two All India toppers and India's first fully visually challenged IFS officer. The event also saw the launch of the KingMakers Nation Builders Scholarship for deserving students.Read more

26 Sep 2025

TDI Infrastructure has announced an INR 100 crore investment to redevelop its 1,100-acre TDI City in Kundli, aiming to make it an affordable residential option for North and West Delhi residents. The redevelopment plan includes upgrading 62 parks, improving internal roads, enhancing the existing clubhouse, and adding a second clubhouse to accommodate rising population density. The company has introduced construction incentives for plot owners and leverages the township's connectivity, including UER-II, proximity to Delhi, and upcoming transport projects, to boost demand.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been placed 39th in the latest OAG Megahubs 2025 rankings, down from its 24th position last year. The airport now records 16,178 possible connections and serves 157 destinations worldwide. In the low-cost carrier (LCC) category, IGIA stands at 11th place globally, while Mumbai's airport has secured the 14th position. Despite the fall in global rank, IGIA continues to be the top megahub in South Asia. The rankings are based on flight data between September 2023 and August 2024.Read more

26 Sep 2025

Azerbaijan's state-owned energy company SOCAR has signed an agreement to acquire Italiana Petroli, securing control of one of Italy's largest petrol station networks. The deal was formalised during an international investment forum in Baku, though financial details were not disclosed. Industry insiders previously indicated that the Brachetti Peretti family, the seller, was seeking an enterprise value of around EUR 2.5 billion (USD 2.95 billion). The transaction, still subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.Read more

26 Sep 2025

A 91-kilometre road connecting Hanle to Chumar in Ladakh has recently been opened for public use. Built by Project Himank under the Border Roads Organisation, the road passes through altitudes of 14,500 to 17,200 feet, including the high Salsa La Pass. The project is designed to strengthen strategic connectivity for the Armed Forces while improving local access and boosting tourism. The road links key sites such as Hanle Observatory, Kyun Tso Lake, Chilling Tso Lake, and extends to Tso Moriri, offering safer and more reliable travel in this remote region.Read more