MLC Satej Patil Slams Delay in Shaktipeeth Highway Notification

24 Oct 2024 CW Team

MLC Satej Patil has criticized the delay in handing over the notification for the cancellation of the Kolhapur stretch of the Shaktipeeth Highway, calling it a "political gimmick" by the Mahayuti government ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference in Kolhapur, Patil questioned why Kolhapur was excluded from the 12 districts the expressway was set to pass through. "If the highway is to be constructed, it must pass through Kolhapur. Would it go via an aerial route, skipping the district?" he remarked sarcastically, demanding the cancellation of the entire highway due to unrest among farmers.

Earlier, Minister Hasan Mushrif handed over the cancellation notification for the Kolhapur stretch to former MLA Sanjay Ghatge. Despite the notification, Girish Phonde, coordinator of the Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, raised concerns about the delay in its announcement, calling for the cancellation of land acquisition as well.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..