Singh Gives CDS Power To Issue Unified Orders For Three Services

26 Jun 2025 CW Team

In a stride towards modernising defence governance, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has empowered the Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, to release Joint Instructions and Joint Orders binding on the Army, Navy and Air Force. This replaces the long-standing practice of each Service issuing separate directives whenever a matter concerned more than one branch.

The first such Joint Order, published on 24 June 2025 and titled Approval, Promulgation and Numbering of Joint Instructions and Joint Orders, sets out a common framework for drafting, numbering and disseminating tri-Service directives. It aims to cut duplication, promote transparency and sharpen cross-Service cooperation, thereby raising administrative efficiency and reinforcing unity of effort.

Defence officials say the change marks the opening of a new era of jointness and integration across the three Services, strengthening their collective capacity to meet contemporary security demands.

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..