India set to auction mineral blocks for green energy transition

01 Sep 2023 CW Team

India is gearing up to launch the auction process for roughly 100 critical mineral blocks within the next four months, a vital step in ensuring a steady supply of raw materials crucial for the nation's green energy transition. These mineral blocks encompass resources such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, platinum, rare earths, and more.

Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj shared in an interview that the legal framework is already in place, and the specific mineral blocks have been identified for auction. It is anticipated that the tender for bids will be released by December, with auctions commencing around three months thereafter.

India's urgent focus on securing critical minerals stems from its ambitious plans to become a prominent hub for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing while also striving to achieve net-zero emissions. Presently, India does not domestically mine key materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making the auction process a critical step toward mineral self-sufficiency.

To incentivise both global and local mining companies to participate in this endeavour, the government plans to reimburse half of the exploration costs. Bharadwaj explained that it may take companies at least three years to bring these mining projects into operation.

India recently amended its mining regulations to encourage exploration of essential minerals like lithium, permitting private miners to engage in the search for these materials. These regulatory changes are pivotal for auctioning lithium blocks recently identified in Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka.

Several state-run companies have been actively seeking such mineral assets worldwide, while energy giants like Coal India and NTPC are devising strategies for mineral mining. Additionally, Khanij Bidesh India, a joint venture involving three government-run firms, has been established to acquire critical mineral assets overseas, with a primary focus on Australia and South America.

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

RVNL secures Rs 1.65 billion railway bridge project from North Eastern Railway

Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from North Eastern Railway for a Rs 1.65 billion railway infrastructure project, strengthening its order book and showcasing its expertise in complex railway construction.The project involves constructing the substructure of a major railway bridge over the Gandak River, located between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations. This is part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section, aimed at improving line capacity and operational efficiency.The bridge will feature 14 spans of 61 metres each, built on double D-t..

Raebareli’s Modern Coach Factory rolls out 15,000th railway coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the rollout of its 15,000th railway coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said.In a press note, the ministry said that MCF has already produced 1,310 coaches in the current financial year 2025–26, reflecting sustained high output at one of Indian Railways’ most advanced passenger coach manufacturing units.Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli district, MCF was built at a cost of Rs 31.92 billion with an initial annual production capacity of 1,000 coaches. The factor..

RailTel wins Rs 260.88 million IT infrastructure order from VOC Port

Navratna public sector undertaking RailTel Corporation of India has secured an IT infrastructure order worth Rs 260.88 million from V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), strengthening its presence in port-led digital transformation projects.According to an exchange filing dated December 16, 2025, RailTel has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from VOC Port Authority for the implementation of advanced IT infrastructure at the port. The project is domestic in nature and is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2026.The company said the order has been awarded in the normal course of ..