India Sets Phased Local Content Targets For HVDC Substations

06 May 2026 CW Team

The Ministry of Power revised Make in India procurement norms for the power sector and issued an order on 30 April introducing a phased roadmap to reach a minimum of 60 per cent local content in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) substations of the line commutated converter (LCC) type. The order defines Minimum Local Content (MLC) as the share of project inputs to be sourced or manufactured within India. The revision replaces an earlier uniform requirement with timebound increases for projects under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) or turnkey model.

The order specifies MLC for LCC-type HVDC substations as 30 per cent up to 31 March 2028, 40 per cent from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2030, 50 per cent from 1 April 2030 to 31 March 2032 and 60 per cent from 1 April 2032 to 31 March 2035. The staged approach is intended to allow gradual compliance rather than imposing a single threshold. The roadmap applies only to the EPC or turnkey project category and does not change obligations for other project forms.

The revisions have been issued under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework, which links purchase preference to specified local content thresholds for the power sector. The ministry said the order was approved by the competent authority and applies to HVDC substations forming part of long-distance transmission networks. The measure aims to align procurement with industrial policy while retaining the existing procurement framework.

The ministry indicated the phased timetable is intended to provide a transition period for domestic industry to scale up manufacturing capabilities and meet higher localisation thresholds. It said the roadmap should help foster supply chain development for HVDC equipment without disrupting ongoing projects. Markets and manufacturers will be expected to adapt to the escalating local content requirements over the coming decade.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..