Power Sector Set for Massive Growth, Says Manohar Lal

23 Jan 2026 CW Team

Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal recently said India’s power sector is poised for enormous growth, driven by the country’s expanding economy. Addressing the inaugural session of Electricity Distribution Industry Conference EDICON 2026, the minister underlined that a thriving power sector requires strong, financially empowered distribution companies (DISCOMs) to deliver improved services and respond better to consumer needs.

The two-day conference was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Power in collaboration with the All India Discoms Association.

The minister urged State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to move towards cost-reflective tariffs, while ensuring targeted subsidies for needy consumers in line with provisions of the Electricity Act.

During the event, he unveiled AIDA’s first annual report titled India Discoms: 2025, presenting an outlook of the distribution sector, ongoing efforts to enhance reliability and operational efficiency, key challenges, and initiatives by the Ministry of Power and CERC, including elements of the Draft Electricity Amendment Bill and the India Energy Stack. The report also features articles by eminent power sector experts and a summary of AIDA’s activities during 2025.

Gold and Silver awards were conferred on 12 DISCOMs across six categories, recognising achievements in rural revenue recovery, smart meter data usage, digital payment adoption, renewable energy integration, agricultural feeder solarisation, and effective change management for consumer services. DISCOMs from Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were among the awardees.

Senior officials including Pankaj Agarwal, Lokesh Chandra, Ashish Kumar Goel and Alok Kumar were present on the occasion.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Aug 2026

Government Plans Rs 450 bn Rail Investment Along Borders

The government plans to invest Rs 450 bn to upgrade railways along borders with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the press release said. The programme will run over 18 to 24 months and will finance new tracks, platforms and network strengthening across Punjab, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and several northeastern states. That is about $4.7 bn. Officials indicated the initiative represents nearly 22 per cent of all railway infrastructure outlay planned over the next two years and is among the most significant strategic infrastructure pushes in recent years. The plan extends be..

Indian Railways Approves Daily Express Between Mumbai CSMT And Sawantwadi Road

Indian Railways has approved a new daily express service between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, and Sawantwadi Road to boost rail connectivity across Maharashtra and the Konkan region. The service will operate over a 510-km route and will run daily as Train No. 15087 CSMT–Sawantwadi Road Express and Train No. 15088 Sawantwadi Road–CSMT Express. It is intended to provide direct and reliable rail connectivity for passengers travelling for tourism, education, employment and business. The Ministry of Railways said the move forms part of ongoing efforts to expand passenger..

SECR Invites Rs 4550.2 mn EPC Tender For Chhattisgarh Line

South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth Rs 4550.2 mn for a section of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat-Jagdalpur New Railway Line in Chhattisgarh. The contract covers a nearly 30 km stretch between Kurkanar and Bhanpuri and forms part of the larger corridor linking the mineral-rich Bastar region with the state rail network. The authority has positioned the package as a key link to improve passenger and freight movement within the region. Tender documents carry tender number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-14 and an earnest money deposit ..