UP govt, World Bank in talks for Rs 39.03 billion agricultural project

13 Nov 2024 CW Team

The Uttar Pradesh government, along with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the World Bank, engaged in negotiations for the Rs 39.03 billion Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening project. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh represented the state in discussions held in New Delhi.

This six-year initiative aims to boost productivity in agriculture and allied sectors, connecting smallholder farmers with high-value commodity clusters. Singh emphasised the project's role in Uttar Pradesh's goal to reach a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. Key areas of focus include developing high-value crop clusters and a robust fisheries sector, particularly in the eastern and Bundelkhand regions.

The project will introduce a digital agriculture platform to offer farmers real-time insights, aiding in resource optimisation, resilience, and productivity gains. Chief Secretary Singh expressed confidence that UP farmers, with access to national and international best practices, could achieve remarkable growth.

Discussions highlighted core components such as climate-resilient productivity, value-added commodity clusters, and enhancement of digital and financial ecosystems. With Jewar airport expected to open by mid-2025, new export opportunities will further support local agriculture.

World Bank's Country Director for India, Auguste Tano Kouam, affirmed the institution’s commitment to support this transformative project. The World Bank's board of directors is expected to review and potentially approve the project by mid-December 2024. (Business Standard)

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..