India Invests Rs 960 Billion to Boost Aviation Growth

28 Jul 2025 CW Team

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu presented detailed data in Parliament highlighting India’s robust investment in aviation infrastructure and the sector’s continued growth.

From FY 2019–20 to FY 2024–25, India’s aviation sector has witnessed capital expenditure exceeding Rs 960 billion, covering investments made by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and public-private partnership (PPP) entities.

The minister noted that India currently operates 162 airports, including traditional airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. During FY 2024–25, total passenger traffic reached 412 million, comprising 335 million domestic and 77 million international passengers—a 9 per cent increase year-on-year.

Scheduled Indian carriers served 835 domestic and 251 international routes, reflecting the sector’s expanding network.

Naidu also underscored the impact of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in 2016 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). It has operationalised 637 routes, connecting 92 previously underserved or unserved airports, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes. Airfares for subsidised seats under Viability Gap Funding (VGF) remain capped at government-determined rates to ensure affordability.

Modernisation and expansion of airport infrastructure is described as a continuous, demand-driven process, undertaken by either AAI or relevant operators based on traffic trends, safety, viability, land availability, and airline requirements.

Regarding new developments, Naidu referred to the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, which requires developers—including state governments—to identify viable sites, conduct feasibility studies, and submit proposals to the Centre. No proposals have been submitted for new airports in Palghar (Maharashtra), or Pachmarhi and Matkuli (Madhya Pradesh).

Infrastructure Urban

07 May 2026

Vedanta Reports Record Profit in FY26

Vedanta reported its best-ever financial performance in FY26, with profit after tax of Rs 250.96 billion and revenue of Rs 1.74 trillion, supported by operational excellence across businesses. The company delivered nearly 50 per cent total shareholder return and declared a dividend of Rs 34 per share.Vedanta said its net debt-to-EBITDA improved to 0.95x, strengthening financial flexibility. Its demerger, effective 1 May 2026, is aimed at unlocking value by creating focused businesses across aluminium, oil and gas, power, iron and steel, zinc, copper, nickel and ferro alloys.Vedanta Aluminium p..

KEC Wins Orders Worth Rs 10.02 Billion

KEC International, an RPG Group company and global infrastructure EPC major, has secured new orders worth Rs 10.02 billion across its key businesses.In Transmission and Distribution, the company has won orders for projects in India and the Americas. These include ±500 kV HVDC transmission lines from a private developer in Western India, 132 kV cabling works from a steel producer in Eastern India, and the supply of towers, hardware and poles in the Americas.The renewables business has secured an order for a 100+ MW wind project in Southern India from a private developer. In transportation, KEC..

Hindustan Zinc Opens Cath Lab in Udaipur

Hindustan Zinc recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Rabindranath Tagore Hospital, Udaipur. The facility was inaugurated by Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, in the presence of local MLAs, RNT Hospital leadership and senior Hindustan Zinc officials.The Cath Lab follows an MoU signed earlier between Hindustan Zinc and RNT Hospital for the redevelopment and upgradation of the hospital into a future-ready, multi-speciality healthcare facility. Equipped with advanced cardiac technology, it will support minimally invasiv..