India fast-tracks pumped storage projects with streamlined approvals

Western Railway Seeks Rs 3.95 Billion Fee for BMC Water Pipelines

Western Railway has invoiced the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for Rs 3.95 billion in Right of Way (RoW) licence fees covering a ten year period for underground water pipelines laid beneath railway land across Mumbai. The demand, disclosed through an RTI query by railway activist Samir Zaveri, requires payment in advance.These pipelines deliver filtered drinking water to millions of residents. Railway officials have based the charge on current market values of the land above the pipes, a valuation that has astonished civic authorities and policy experts.Zaveri points out that BMC su..

Third Rail Tests Begin on Bengaluru Metro’s Pink Line

The long awaited Pink Line of Namma Metro has reached a key milestone as Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) starts third rail electrification tests on the elevated section between Jayadeva and Tavarekere stations. This power supply check is the first in a series of technical validations required before the 21.3 km corridor can open.According to officials, the current trials cover the elevated stretch of the Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara route. Once the third rail passes safety checks, teams will move on to signal validation, telecommunications testing and loading trials to ver..

MCL Plots Rs 400 Billion Thermal Plant, Green Projects

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) will invest about Rs 400 billion to build a 4,000 MW coal fired power station in partnership with Coal India and Odisha’s Energy Department.The miner also plans a high ash coal to ammonium nitrate plant (600,000 tpa) costing roughly Rs 117.82 billion with BCGCL and the state Industries Department.In renewables, MCL expects to spend Rs 120 billion on a 2,000 MW solar complex (ground mounted and floating), Rs 50 billion on a 500 MW pumped storage project, and Rs 9 billion on a 100 MW wind farm.These schemes align with MCL’s Vi..