SCI to Launch Kandla–Thoothukudi Coastal Container Route

17 Jun 2025 CW Team

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is set to launch a new coastal container shipping service linking Kandla Port in Gujarat and VOC Port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, through the re-routing of its SMILE (SCI Middle East India Liner Express) service.

The revised port rotation will be: Pipavav – Kandla – Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) – Cochin – Pipavav, with the first vessel scheduled to call at Thoothukudi on 16 June. This move is expected to enhance coastal connectivity between the western and southern coasts of India, boosting the movement of key commodities.

According to the VOC Port Authority, the new route will help transport raw cotton and chemicals from Gujarat, while solar panels, tyres, and machinery spares will be shipped from Tamil Nadu, making logistics more efficient and reducing reliance on road transport.

Currently, the SMILE service connects Cochin, Tuticorin, Colombo, Mundra, Jebel Ali, Pipavav, Hazira, and Cochin, focusing on both coastal and international transhipment.

The plan was finalised during discussions between Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, and Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh (Retd), Director (Liner and Passenger Services) at SCI, along with senior officials from both organisations.

As of the latest market close, SCI shares on the NSE ended at Rs 210.69, down Rs 4.44, marking a 2.06 per cent decline.

This service aligns with India’s broader Sagarmala programme, aimed at improving port-led connectivity and reducing logistics costs across the country.

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..