Cabinet sets deadline for Kinnaur power project completion

25 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Cabinet accepted the recommendations made by a sub-committee, led by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, regarding the 450 MW Shongtong-Karchham Hydroelectric Power Project in Kinnaur, setting 2026-27 as the target for its completion.

The project’s delay had caused significant revenue losses for the state government. In response to the Cabinet sub-committee's suggestions, directives were issued to the executing company to ensure the project's completion by the 2026-27 deadline.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the project's delay, as the tender had initially been awarded in 2012. This delay had also caused a substantial increase in project costs, leading to further financial losses for the government. The sub-committee, chaired by Negi, was specifically formed to investigate the factors contributing to the project's delay.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the creation of another sub-committee, also headed by the Revenue Minister, to review the management of parking facilities in Shimla city, which operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The committee was tasked with examining the non-payment of dues by contractors managing major parking facilities at Tutikandi, Lift, Chotta Shimla, Sanjauli, and the new bus stand in the state capital. Due to these overdue payments to the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the government might consider terminating existing agreements and re-auctioning the parking facilities.

The sub-committee includes Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani. Additionally, Harish Janartha, MLA for Shimla (Urban), was invited as a special invitee to the committee.

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 ..