Central government intends to allow offshore mining

24 Feb 2023 CW Team

The central government is launching plans for private-sector offshore mining of non-atomic minerals. The mines ministry has notified draught amendments to the Offshore Area Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 (OAMDR Act), which will pave the way for private sector participation in mining of maritime resources in India’s territorial waters along its 7,517-km coastline.

The proposed changes aim to create a transparent mechanism for distributing concessions. As an alternative to the renewal regime, it is proposed that production leases be granted through auction to private sector and state-controlled firms, in addition to a composite exploration-cum-production licence and a lease period of 50 years to attract private sector investments. However, atomic minerals will continue to be monopolised by state-owned enterprises. The joint venture will be chosen through a competitive bidding process (JV). A joint venture model in which public sector units (PSUs) hold the majority stake is also being considered.

In accordance with global concession agreements, the size of the standard block production lease area has been limited to ensure proper regulation.

The move will benefit new-age sectors such as renewable energy while also reducing India's reliance on imports.

The coastline of India stretches across nine states and four union territories, offering enormous mineral mining potential.

Infrastructure Urban

31 Jul 2026

SCLR Extension Nears Completion Linking BKC With Signal-Free Route

The Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension towards Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) via the Mumbai University campus has entered its final stage, bringing motorists closer to a direct, signal-free connection between the Western Express Highway and the city’s commercial district. The elevated connector is being built as an arm from the SCLR alignment and will link the western suburbs with BKC without surface signals. The link is designed to reduce journey times for commuters travelling from the western suburbs to BKC and to improve access to eastern Mumbai. By carrying through traffic above s..

Raiganj MP Seeks Bengal Only Highway Link To Siliguri

Raiganj Member of Parliament Kartik Chandra Paul met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to press for a new stretch of national highway in North Dinajpur district. He urged approval for a Bengal-to-Bengal link that would connect National Highways 12 and 27 to allow vehicles bound for Siliguri to avoid the current route through Kishanganj in neighbouring Bihar. He also submitted a proposed alignment of the new road to the ministry for consideration. At present vehicles from Raiganj travel along NH-12 and join NH-27 at Purnia More in Dalkhola, a route that p..

Airport Kilambakkam Metro Line To Be Extended To Chengalpattu

Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) has invited tenders for two detailed project reports that would extend its rail network to Chengalpattu in the south and extend Corridor-5 to Wimco Nagar in the north as part of a second wave of expansion beyond the operator's corridors under construction. The move signals an acceleration of planning for suburban links and interchange nodes. The larger of the two studies covers a roughly 27km extension from the planned Kilambakkam metro station to Chengalpattu under Corridor-1, Phase I. CMRL floated the tender at an estimated cost of Rs 21.6 mn. The proposed line woul..