India to Auction Offshore Mineral Blocks in 2-3 Months

19 Nov 2024 CW Team

The Indian government is set to commence the auction of offshore mineral blocks within the next two to three months, with around 10 mines included in the first phase, according to Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy. The initiative follows amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, introducing an auction mechanism for awarding production leases for offshore minerals.

These minerals, located deep within the earth's crust, include gold, diamonds, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements. The auctions aim to boost the availability of critical minerals in India, reducing reliance on imports and supporting domestic industries.

Progress on Lithium Exploration Highlighting advancements in lithium exploration, Reddy stated that three stages of exploration of lithium blocks in Jammu and Kashmir have been completed, with the fourth stage underway. In 2023, India identified 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s energy transition efforts.

Lithium, a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries, is vital for electric vehicles and battery storage systems. While an earlier auction of lithium mines in Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped due to limited bidder interest, the government remains committed to developing this resource.

Global Efforts in Lithium Exploration In addition to domestic exploration, India has undertaken lithium exploration in Argentina, where five blocks are under examination. "Once exploration concludes, production will begin," Reddy assured.

The upcoming offshore auctions and lithium exploration efforts underscore India's focus on securing critical minerals to fuel its energy transition and bolster industrial self-reliance.

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..