ICG Launches Final Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel

25 Jul 2025 CW Team

‘Samudra Prachet’, the second and final indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), was launched for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Goa on 23 July 2025. With 72 per cent indigenous content, the vessel reflects a strong push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence production and significant involvement of local industries and MSMEs, aiding skill development and employment generation.

Designed to tackle maritime pollution, the 114.5-metre-long vessel with a displacement of 4,170 tonnes will be operated by 14 officers and 115 sailors. It features two side-sweeping arms for collecting oil spills while in motion, advanced radar for slick detection, and onboard systems for pollutant separation and oil recovery across all viscosity levels.

The ship was launched by Smt Priya Paramesh in the presence of Director General of ICG Paramesh Sivamani, who praised GSL's efforts and urged continued focus on indigenous defence production.

GSL CMD Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay highlighted the vessel’s environmental importance and its role in strengthening India’s maritime pollution response capabilities.

The first PCV was launched in August 2024 and is expected to be delivered shortly. Together, these vessels enhance India’s preparedness for protecting its Exclusive Economic Zone from marine pollution.

Infrastructure Energy

24 Sep 2025

Mahi-Banswara Nuclear Project Siting Transferred to ASHVINI

India’s nuclear regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), has transferred the siting consent for the Mahi-Banswara Atomic Power Project from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to Anushakti Vidyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture company developing the 2,800 MWe project.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the Mahi-Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) on 25 September. The project marks the entry of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) into India’s nuclear power sector.ASHVINI, a joint venture between N..

PM Modi Launches Rs 5.1 Billion Projects in Arunachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched infrastructure projects worth over Rs 5.1 billion in Arunachal Pradesh, underscoring the state’s growing role in energy and regional development. He virtually laid the foundation stones for two major hydropower projects in Shi Yomi district, as well as a convention centre in Tawang. Additional projects worth over Rs 1.29 billion were rolled out across road connectivity, healthcare, and fire safety sectors.Addressing a public gathering at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, PM Modi described Arunachal Pradesh as both the land of the rising sun and a cra..

Power Ministry Forms Committee to Standardise Smart Meter Training

The Ministry of Power is establishing a steering committee and a sub-working group of domain experts to standardise training modules and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for smart meter data analytics, adoption of standards-based regimes, and cybersecurity practices for distribution companies (DISCOMs).The National Data Analytics and Reporting Centre at the National Power Training Institute, Faridabad, will conduct training programmes for DISCOM officials and provide guidance on customising use case analytics. It will also offer a “Leadership and Strategic Managemen..