Congress Opposes Railway Zone Restructuring

03 Dec 2024 CW Team

Former Union Minister and Congress leader from Odisha, Srikant Jena, has expressed strong opposition to the central government's plan to merge the Waltair division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) with the newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jena urged reconsideration of the decision, advocating instead for strengthening the existing ECoR structure. Jena emphasised the need for a comprehensive railway zone that aligns with the aspirations of the people of Odisha, calling for measures to fortify ECoR rather than dismantle its core framework. The move has also drawn criticism from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which echoed concerns over the delinking of the Waltair division. However, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha assured that the state would retain its three railway divisions as before. Jena’s appeal highlights the broader demand for enhanced infrastructure and equitable development of railway services in Odisha. (ET)

Building Material

15 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Easier Green Clearances for New Airports

The central government is preparing to streamline environmental clearance procedures for airport projects to accelerate infrastructure development across the country. According to officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to establish a single-window mechanism for faster approval of greenfield and brownfield airports. The proposal seeks to reduce the time required for obtaining environmental clearance by simplifying inter-ministerial coordination and standardising assessment parameters. The move is part of ..

Beer Makers Urge Import Relaxation Amid Aluminium Can Shortage

India’s domestic beer manufacturers have urged the government to relax import rules and cut duties on aluminium cans as the industry faces a severe shortage of packaging material. The shortage, driven by rising demand and limited local supply, has disrupted production schedules for several breweries. Industry representatives have written to the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, seeking temporary relief through faster import approvals and reduced customs duties. They warn that the situation could impact the availability of beer across key markets during the festive season. A..

India Surpasses Japan as World’s Third-Largest Auto Market

India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market, marking a major milestone for the country’s manufacturing and mobility sector. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, credited the achievement to India’s growing production capacity, rising domestic demand, and sustained policy support for localisation and innovation. The country’s vehicle sales and manufacturing output have surged in recent years, positioning it just behind China and the United States. According to industry estimates, India’s automobile sector supports over 3..