Gati Shakti proposes Rs 7.6B Infra Boost: Roads, Rails

28 Aug 2023 CW Team

Prime Minister Gati Shakti has put forth recommendations for four significant infrastructure projects valued at over Rs 7,600 crore to bolster connectivity within the country. The 54th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting, presided over by Sumita Dawra, the special secretary of logistics at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, examined these projects for expedited implementation.

The deliberations involved active engagement from key departments and ministries, including Road Transport and Highways, Railways, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Power. The meeting underscored the necessity of utilizing the Gati Shakti national master plan portal and adopting a comprehensive 'whole of government' approach to infrastructural planning and execution.

The assessed projects encompass two road initiatives by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and two railway projects by the Ministry of Railways, totaling a cost of Rs 7,693.17 crore. These projects hold paramount importance in terms of bolstering connectivity to crucial economic and social nodes, and they advocate an area-development strategy.

The projects encompass a four-lane Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road in Kerala, contributing to the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor; the Dahod-Bodeli-Vapi corridor, linking to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway; a new broad gauge railway line between Pushkar-Merta in Rajasthan; and a rail project between Merta City-Ras Railway Stations in Rajasthan. Each initiative is expected to yield reduced travel times, enhanced road networks, and accelerated economic growth in their respective regions, collectively contributing to the overall development and connectivity of the country.

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..