Odisha to Build Ship Recycling Hub, Ports, and Boost Rail Connectivity

10 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Odisha government has announced plans to develop a Rs 40 billion ship recycling hub near the Paradip port, alongside the establishment of two new ports with private sector collaboration, according to Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Industry Department. The state is also preparing to support investments in railway infrastructure to facilitate the evacuation of minerals and coal. Sharma noted that hydrogen manufacturing facilities in Odisha are set to commence production by the end of 2026. A major shipbuilding and repair centre will be developed in partnership with the Paradip Port Authority (PPA). Additionally, the new ports, located at Inchuri in North Odisha and Bahuda in South Odisha, will each have a capacity of at least 40 million tonnes. Odisha is also focusing on the technology sector, with plans to encourage the development of data centres and global capability centers (GCCs). The government is drafting policies for both initiatives and has allocated 250 acres south of Bhubaneswar to establish an electronic city. On rail infrastructure, Sharma revealed that the Haridaspur-Paradip railway line is being doubled under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with state equity involvement. The state is committed to providing additional equity if necessary to expedite critical projects. He added that the current railway corridors are adequate to handle the existing coal transportation needs. These initiatives are part of Odisha’s broader strategy to enhance industrial and infrastructure capabilities while attracting private investment. (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..