Samruddhi Expressway Begins Solar Power Rollout

29 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, the 701-kilometre expressway linking Nagpur and Mumbai, is set to go solar under an ambitious renewable energy initiative by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The project commenced with the installation of solar panels at Karjalad in Buldhana and Mehkar Interchange in Washim district. Since its inauguration on 11 December 2022, the corridor has seen over 25 million vehicles. The expressway’s master plan includes a total of 204 MW of renewable capacity along its length.

The green power generated will both light the expressway and supply the grid under existing power purchase agreements. In the first phase, Karjalad and Mehkar are together generating 5 MW — 3 MW from Karjalad and 2 MW from Mehkar, which began supplying power on Monday.

Electricity sales are governed by a 2022 agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) at Rs 3.05 per unit under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY).

Beyond toll collections and leasing spaces for amenities, MSRDC expects solar power to create new revenue streams. Carbon credits from clean electricity will further strengthen the corporation’s finances, supporting future infrastructure borrowing and expansion. Plans are also in place to replicate this solar model at major interchanges of upcoming expressways across Maharashtra.

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..