Punjab CM lays foundation of steel plant in Ludhiana

24 Oct 2023 CW Team

Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, inaugurated the foundation-laying ceremony for a significant steel plant in Ludhiana on Friday. This plant, a venture under the esteemed Tata Group, comes with an estimated cost of ?72,600 crore and is poised to create 2,500 employment opportunities within the state.

The upcoming steel plant project in Punjab is distinctively focused on steel production through the steel recycling route. In fact, Tata Steel formalized its commitment to this endeavor by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Punjab Government, a significant milestone reached on August 26, 2022. The plant's infrastructure will prominently feature a scrap-based electric arc furnace, underscoring the company's commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable steel production practices.

This initiative represents a pivotal step towards bolstering the industrial landscape in Punjab and contributing to economic growth and job creation in the region. It signifies a substantial investment in the state's steel production capabilities, aligning with contemporary trends in sustainable and environmentally responsible industrial practices.

Infrastructure Energy

18 Dec 2025

Battery storage cost drops to Rs 2.1/unit, boosting grid-scale adoption

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs in India have declined sharply to Rs 2.1 per unit, compared with about Rs 10.18 per unit discovered through tariff-based competitive bidding during 2022–23, the Ministry of Power informed Parliament. The steep reduction is expected to significantly accelerate grid-scale battery storage adoption and support renewable energy integration.According to a statement from the Ministry of Power, the BESS tariff discovered during FY2022–23 was around Rs 10.18/kWh, assuming the storage system is utilised for two cycles per day. However, recent competitive bi..

India’s thermal power capacity demand seen at 307 GW by 2035: Goyal

India’s thermal power requirement is projected to rise sharply to 307 gigawatts (GW) by 2035, reflecting the country’s sustained efforts to meet growing energy demand, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal said.Responding to a question from The Hindu, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce, said the government is making continuous progress to strengthen India’s power generation capacity and ensure reliable energy availability for the country’s expanding economy. Speaking to reporters on December 15, 2025, he highlighted the pace at which new capacity is being added and contracts ..

VOC Port crosses 30 MMT cargo milestone ahead of schedule

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), Tuticorin, has achieved a major operational milestone by crossing 30 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo handling in the current financial year, reaching the mark on December 14. This is the fastest the port has achieved the milestone, accomplishing it a full week earlier than in the previous year.Port officials said the growth momentum remained steady throughout the year, with cargo throughput touching 10 MMT by June 26 and 20 MMT by September 21. The early achievement reflects improved operational performance and growing demand across diverse ca..