AP Chambers Seeks Fourth Line on Key Rail Route

05 Jun 2025 CW Team

The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) has appealed to Indian Railways to approve the quadrupling of the Duvvada–Nidadavole railway line to strengthen freight capacity and support industrial expansion in the region.

In a letter to Narendra A. Patil, Divisional Railway Manager of the Vijayawada Division, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao and general secretary B. Raja Sekhar underlined the strategic role of Duvvada Station in Visakhapatnam, which services major industrial hubs such as the SEZ, Med Tech Zone, Vizag Steel Plant, Bulk Drug Park, and various manufacturing zones.

The proposed ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel Plant in Anakapalli, along with robust agricultural and industrial operations across the Duvvada–Nidadavole corridor, further underscore the route's importance. The area also acts as an aqua and agricultural hub, exporting produce such as coconut, palm, and paddy.

Bhaskara Rao emphasised that infrastructure projects like the upcoming Petrochemical Complexes in Kakinada, the Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Duvvada–Anakapalli, and regional refineries necessitate a fourth rail line. “This new line could function as a Dedicated Freight Corridor, allowing faster, safer, and more cost-effective transport than roadways,” he noted.

He added that boosting cargo-handling capacity would significantly enhance freight throughput and generate increased revenue for the Vijayawada Division, positioning it as a logistics and industrial gateway for Andhra Pradesh.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..