96km Rail Line to Link Rajasthan's Sirohi to Network

17 Jun 2025 CW Team

In a major step towards improving infrastructure in Rajasthan, the central government has approved the final location survey for a 96-kilometre railway line connecting Marwar Bagra (Jalore)–Sirohi–Swarupganj, thereby integrating Sirohi district into the national railway network for the first time.

The approval, announced on Monday, marks a long-awaited development for tribal-dominated western Rajasthan. Sirohi, currently without a rail link, lies near the important Delhi–Ajmer–Abu Road–Ahmedabad corridor, while Jalore is already on the Samdari–Bhildi–Gandhidham route.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that this project fulfils a longstanding demand to connect Sirohi with the national rail grid. The line is expected to bring transformative benefits including increased trade, employment generation, and enhanced social inclusion.

By connecting the district, the rail line will support economic growth, improve living standards, and provide rail access to major cities such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. Additionally, it will serve as a strategic transport corridor, especially for border areas and key freight routes.

The new route will facilitate the movement of marble, granite, cement, food grains, and fertilisers, improving connectivity to Samdari and Munabao, and linking efficiently with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), thereby strengthening Rajasthan’s logistics framework.

The rail connection is set to benefit over 1 million residents, particularly in nearby towns and villages like Shivganj, Pindwara, Rewadar, Mandar, Kalandri, and those in the Jawal region. This move is expected to usher in a new era of development for the western part of the state.

Building Material

03 Dec 2025

Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects. UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products. With coal price..

Odisha Targets Role as MSME Hub for Eastern India

Odisha has set its sights on becoming the MSME gateway of eastern India, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said at the Odisha Industrial Conclave 2025, organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB). Calling the state a land of possibilities, he noted that Odisha has emerged as a leading destination for micro, small and medium enterprises.He said that reforms such as the Go-Swift single-window system now allow project approvals within a day. Odisha has also invested 6.1 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure development, which is expected to further accelerate industrial and MSME growth.Majhi emphasise..

Coal Ministry Eases Process for Exploration and GR Approvals

The Ministry of Coal has introduced a simplified approval mechanism for exploration programmes and Geological Reports (GRs) for coal and lignite blocks. The reform aims to accelerate exploration activity, reduce procedural delays and strengthen India’s preparedness for rising energy demand.Under the revised process, reports prepared by Notified Accredited Prospecting Agencies (APAs) and peer-reviewed by another accredited agency no longer require approval from the committee set up in January 2022. This marks a major shift towards faster, more transparent and technology-driven exploration.By ..