Govt May Extend Deadline for Mega Power Projects to Sign PPAs

21 May 2025 CW Team

The Indian government is considering extending the timeline for power projects under the Mega Power Policy by two to three years to allow additional time for signing power purchase agreements (PPAs). The proposed extension aims to assist projects that have not yet secured or only partially secured long-term agreements with distribution companies.

At least six projects with a combined capacity of eight gigawatts could benefit. Of this, nearly four gigawatts remain untied, placing Rs 40 billion worth of bank guarantees at risk. Granting more time would allow developers to finalise PPAs and recover these guarantees.

The Mega Power Policy, introduced in 2009, offers benefits such as customs and excise duty exemptions. To qualify, developers must sign long-term PPAs — a requirement made difficult by limited procurement tenders from states.

A similar extension was granted in 2022, increasing the certification deadline from ten to thirteen years for ten provisional projects. The new proposal follows this precedent, aiming to support project viability amid changing market conditions.

By easing financial pressure, the extension could improve developer confidence and help advance India’s energy goals through timely project execution.

Source:EQ Magazine

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..