Railways to Adopt PPP Model for New Infrastructure Projects

30 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Indian Railways is looking to implement the public-private partnership (PPP) model for developing new projects, including new commercial lines such as mineral corridors.

This shift in strategy follows an infrastructure review meeting attended by several ministries, where it was highlighted that the Railways needs to consider PPP for infrastructure creation instead of solely relying on the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model. Despite the proposed shift towards the PPP model, Indian Railways is expected to receive a significant boost in capital expenditure in the FY26 budget, surpassing the Rs 2.62 trillion (tn) allocated for this fiscal year.

After limited progress in developing projects via the PPP model, Indian Railways continues to exclusively fund its infrastructure development, run freight trains, and recover investments through levies on freight movement. A senior official confirmed that while the government is advocating for PPP models for commercial lines, decisions regarding fares and passenger movement will remain under the Railway Board's control.

The three major economic corridor programmes, focusing on energy (mainly coal), minerals, and cement transportation, are estimated to cost over Rs 5.25 tn by 2031. Additionally, the government is advancing port-rail connectivity under the Sagarmala programme, with several projects currently under development.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..