India’s First Car Ferry Train to Link Maharashtra and Goa

25 Jul 2025 CW Team

India’s first-ever car ferry train is set to run between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in Goa, launched by Konkan Railway to ease travel during Ganesh Chaturthi. This unique service lets passengers travel in AC coaches while their cars are securely transported in custom-designed wagons.

The 12-hour overnight journey replaces a 20–22 hour road trip, with departures from Kolad at 5 PM and arrivals in Verna by 5 AM. Passengers must report by 2 PM for vehicle loading.

Each train can carry 40 cars on 20 wagons. A minimum of 16 cars is required per trip. The freight cost is Rs 7,875 per car. Up to three passengers per car can book seats—two in a 3AC coach (Rs 935 each) and one in a second-class coach (Rs 190). Passengers are not permitted to remain in vehicles during the trip.

The service is designed to reduce congestion and improve festive travel convenience. If successful, it may be replicated on other routes across India.

Infrastructure Energy

24 Sep 2025

Mahi-Banswara Nuclear Project Siting Transferred to ASHVINI

India’s nuclear regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), has transferred the siting consent for the Mahi-Banswara Atomic Power Project from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to Anushakti Vidyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture company developing the 2,800 MWe project.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the Mahi-Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) on 25 September. The project marks the entry of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) into India’s nuclear power sector.ASHVINI, a joint venture between N..

PM Modi Launches Rs 5.1 Billion Projects in Arunachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched infrastructure projects worth over Rs 5.1 billion in Arunachal Pradesh, underscoring the state’s growing role in energy and regional development. He virtually laid the foundation stones for two major hydropower projects in Shi Yomi district, as well as a convention centre in Tawang. Additional projects worth over Rs 1.29 billion were rolled out across road connectivity, healthcare, and fire safety sectors.Addressing a public gathering at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, PM Modi described Arunachal Pradesh as both the land of the rising sun and a cra..

Power Ministry Forms Committee to Standardise Smart Meter Training

The Ministry of Power is establishing a steering committee and a sub-working group of domain experts to standardise training modules and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for smart meter data analytics, adoption of standards-based regimes, and cybersecurity practices for distribution companies (DISCOMs).The National Data Analytics and Reporting Centre at the National Power Training Institute, Faridabad, will conduct training programmes for DISCOM officials and provide guidance on customising use case analytics. It will also offer a “Leadership and Strategic Managemen..