Coal India Backs Solar Lighting for Howrah Bridge

12 Jun 2025 CW Team

Coal India Limited has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), to support the dynamic solar-powered illumination of the historic Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu.

The 80-year-old cantilever bridge, a vital artery in Kolkata’s transport network, will soon be transformed into a vibrant night-time landmark through advanced LED and projection technology. The upgraded lighting scheme will employ volumetric and skeleton lighting techniques, synchronised with musical shows to offer an immersive visual experience. This initiative aims to highlight the architectural beauty of the bridge while celebrating the cultural heritage of the city.

The MoU was formalised at Coal India’s headquarters, Coal Bhawan, in the presence of Chairman P.M. Prasad, SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman, Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi, and other senior officials. SMPK finalised the detailed project report in March 2025 and has already floated tenders for the work.

Deputy Chairman Rahi noted that the project is a major upgrade from the current illumination system and is expected to be completed within a year from contract award. Officials estimate that the execution of the lighting installation will take around six to eight months.

The revamped lighting plan will also include a modernised son et lumière show, which will be streamed via a mobile app. The bridge, which currently features static volumetric lighting, will be enhanced with dynamic motion effects, adding depth and energy to its night-time appearance.

Opened to the public in 1943, Howrah Bridge is one of the world’s busiest cantilever bridges, carrying over 100,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians each day. The lighting project is designed not only to improve the visual appeal of the structure but also to bolster Kolkata’s tourism sector by turning Rabindra Setu into a luminous symbol of the city's urban and cultural legacy.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..