President Murmu Lays Foundation for Key Rail and Development Projects

10 Dec 2024 CW Team

President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation for six major projects worth Rs 64 billion in Odisha, including three new railway lines—Bangriposi-Gorumahisani, Buramara-Chakulia, and Badampahar-Keonjhargarh. The ceremony was attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. The President also virtually inaugurated three additional projects in Rairangpur: a Tribal Research and Development Centre, Dandbose Airport, and a 100-bed sub-divisional hospital. Addressing the event, she highlighted the transformative impact of these initiatives on transportation, commerce, healthcare, and education in the region. The new railway lines, spanning 228 kilometers, are poised to enhance connectivity and economic growth in Odisha: • Badampahar-Keonjhargarh Line: Covering 82 kilometers through Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, the project is estimated at Rs 21.06 billion. • Bangriposi-Gorumahisani Line: An 86-kilometer route costing Rs 25.49 billion, aimed at improving passenger and freight movement. • Buramara-Chakulia Line: A 60-kilometer link between Mayurbhanj and Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district, developed at Rs 16.39 billion, to bolster industrial transportation. President Murmu also emphasised the Central Government's "Purvodaya" initiative for Eastern India, noting its role in accelerating development through welfare schemes in education, health, tourism, and transportation. She highlighted the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, with over 100 new schools in Odisha, including 23 in Mayurbhanj, aimed at empowering tribal children to contribute to societal and national progress. The President concluded her five-day Odisha visit, which included key events such as the Indian Navy Day celebration in Puri and the 40th convocation of OUAT in Bhubaneswar. (ET)

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..