Ministry of Steel and PSUs Observe Swachhata Pakhwada Nationwide

03 Apr 2026 CW Team

Ministry of Steel (the Ministry) and public sector undertakings (PSUs) under its administrative control such as SAIL, NMDC, RINL, KIOCL, MOIL, MECON, MSTC, NISST, JPC and BPNSI observed Swachhata Pakhwada from 16 to 31 March 2026 across the country. The campaign followed the calendar released by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and saw participation by officers and employees at plants and units nationwide. Activities were organised in both ministry offices and industrial townships. The programme aimed to strengthen routine cleanliness and waste management practices.

The pakhwada commenced with administration of the Swachhata pledge in the Ministry and the display of banners and standees at prominent locations to raise awareness. Thorough cleaning of office premises was carried out and a team of officers completed cleanliness inspections of rooms, the library and the record cell. Public sector undertakings organised Steel Safety Day on 28 March and the pakhwada concluded on 31 March with a determination to continue cleaning activities throughout the year.

During the fortnight, the Ministry and its PSUs organised an array of interventions including fire safety drills and workshops on solid waste management. Cleanliness drives reached townships, factory premises, nearby villages, informal settlements and schools managed by the organisations. Awareness programmes were delivered to discourage single-use plastics and to promote segregation of waste at source.

Looking ahead, PSUs under the Ministry are preparing detailed plans for FY 2026–27 under the Swachhata Action Plan to embed environmental sustainability measures. The plans prioritise reducing and removing slag, minimising iron ore fines and recycling gaseous waste for power generation. Officers and employees across the Ministry and PSUs remain committed to implementing the action plan and sustaining cleanliness efforts.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Apr 2026

Centre Examines Duty Relief Under MOOWR For Battery Storage Imports

The finance ministry is examining whether to continue customs warehousing benefits under the Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations, 2019 framework for imported battery energy storage systems. It plans consultations with the ministries of power and new and renewable energy to decide on the future scope of duty and GST deferment for such imports. The review follows concerns from the renewable energy sector that the current approach is creating an uneven playing field. Under the regulations, companies may import goods without paying customs duty or goods and services tax upfro..

Jamshedpur MP Seeks Rs 4,820 Million Plan For Tatanagar Platforms

Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato held a meeting with Vikas Jain, Executive Director (Public Grievances) of the Railway Board, following a special session of Parliament to press for accelerated rail infrastructure work around Jamshedpur and Tatanagar. The discussions addressed a range of projects that the ministry is prioritising for the area. Final Location Surveys for the construction of the fourth and fifth railway lines between Pandrasali and Kandra and for the development of a satellite station near Tatanagar have already been approved, clearing the way for detailed planning. Mahat..

Final Batch Of Two 3,300 HP Locomotives Reach Mozambique

The final batch of two 3,300 horsepower (hp) locomotives manufactured by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has reached Mozambique, marking completion of an export consignment. The locomotives arrived at Maputo harbour and were cleared for onward movement to the national rail operator. The shipment closes a programme that began with earlier consignments delivered over the past months. Banaras Locomotive Works, a production unit of Indian Railways, built the locomotives under a contract with the Mozambican rail authority and managed the final inspections and commissioning preparations prior to disp..