Assam Budget Elevates Power Sector With Major Investments

16 Jul 2026 CW Team

The Assam government has placed the power sector at the centre of its economic strategy in the maiden Budget of the current term, the BJP state spokesperson said. He commended the Finance Minister for measures intended to boost energy security, modernise infrastructure and attract investment. The statement said rapid industrialisation and urbanisation had raised peak demand to about 2,842 megawatt (MW) and that average daily supply had overtaken the national norm, with 23.43 hours in urban areas and 23.09 hours in rural areas.\n\nThe party highlighted a scheme that has benefited more than 0.13 million (mn) consumers and noted that solar installations exceeding 430 MW have been commissioned. The Budget proposed an allocation of Rs 25,790 mn for the Power Department and envisaged a total investment of Rs 773,530 mn to close the demand supply gap. Distribution improvements include more than Rs 90,000 mn committed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.\n\nThe Government has initiated a portfolio of new generation projects, including a 70 MW solar installation at Bilasipara, a planned 3,200 MW thermal project in the district and a 2,700 MW pumped storage scheme to be implemented by the Adani Group. State planners have set a target of generating between 3,000 and 4,000 MW of solar power by 2030 and will develop sites in Sonitpur, Dibrugarh and Karbi Anglong. Several hydropower projects, such as the 120 MW Lower Kopili project, will be integrated into the grid.\n\nAn Rs 12,000 mn initiative will replace ageing low tension lines and lay thousands of circuit kilometres of new distribution lines to improve voltage stability and reduce transmission and distribution losses. The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited has accelerated smart meter deployment, instituted energy conservation measures across government offices and strengthened the distribution network. The administration has also digitised government to business services for electrical approvals and the Power Department has secured the top position in the National Energy Conservation Awards for the fifth consecutive year, signalling progress towards becoming a green energy hub in north-east India.

Real Estate

16 Jul 2026

Bharat Shah Family Buys Four Luxury Apartments In Worli For Rs1.8 bn

The family of veteran investor Bharat Shah has acquired four ultra-luxury apartments on the higher floors of Kalpataru One in Worli, South Mumbai, for Rs1.8 billion (bn). The purchases were registered on 6 July 2026 and were executed through Preeti Bharat Shah and Kinnari Bharat Shah, who bought the flats from Kalpataru Properties Limited. Property registration documents reviewed by Zapkey show the total consideration at Rs1.7941 billion. The transactions recorded a per square foot RERA carpet price of Rs0.101 million (mn), with each apartment valued at about Rs448.5 million. The four residenc..

NITI Aayog Consultation On Critical Mineral Supply Chains

NITI Aayog convened a stakeholder consultation in New Delhi on Wednesday to assess requirements for critical minerals across strategic sectors, bringing together experts from government, research institutions, academia and industry. The meeting aimed to estimate current and future demand, identify supply chain vulnerabilities and discuss measures to strengthen domestic capabilities in exploration, processing and recycling. The exercise formed part of broader efforts to secure mineral value chains essential for economic growth, technological advancement and national security.\n\nDiscussions con..

Gujarat Tops India in Renewable Energy With 50.386 GW Capacity

Gujarat has emerged as India’s leading renewable energy state with a total installed renewable energy capacity of 50.386 GW, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. The capacity includes 15,850.56 megawatt (MW) of wind power and 32,302.7 megawatt (MW) of solar power, and the state accounts for 17.82 per cent of India’s total renewable energy capacity. The state ranks first in installed wind capacity and second in solar capacity. Gujarat has also installed more than 1.3 million (mn) rooftop solar systems generating 7,408.10 megawatt (MW). Ground mounted solar projects account for 23,259..