IFSCA Proposes Foreign Ships at GIFT City for Indian Ports

04 Mar 2024 CW Team

India's shipping sector faces a critical examination as the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) seeks permission for foreign-flagged ships to operate from the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). This proposal aims to alleviate longstanding challenges within India's maritime industry, presenting a potential solution to boost efficiency and competitiveness.

The IFSCA's initiative highlights the pressing need to confront issues affecting Indian ports. By allowing foreign ships to operate from GIFT City, a designated financial hub, the proposal aims to enhance logistics, trade, and overall maritime activities. This strategic move could contribute significantly to the growth and revitalization of the shipping sector.

The consideration of such a proposal underscores the complexity of challenges faced by Indian ports and the importance of innovative solutions. The potential collaboration between IFSCA and GIFT City holds promise for transforming the landscape of the shipping sector, fostering increased international participation and investment.

As discussions progress, stakeholders in the maritime industry will closely monitor the potential impact on shipping operations and trade dynamics. The proposal represents a crucial step towards aligning India's shipping policies with global standards, reinforcing a more robust and internationally connected maritime infrastructure.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..