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BENGALURU SUBURBAN RAILWAY PROJECT’S CORRIDORS JSW INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS `2,359 CRORE INVESTMENT
2 AND 4 TO BE COMPLETED BY 2026: MOS SOMANNA FOR PORT EXPANSION
Union Minister V. Somanna announced recently that two JSW Infrastructure Limited, India’s second-largest private port
key corridors of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project- operator, has unveiled a `2,359 crore capital expenditure plan INFRASTRUCTURE
Chikkabanavara-Baiyyappanahalli (Corridor-2, 25 km) and to expand capacity at its Jaigarh and Dharamtar ports. The
Heilalagi-Rajanukunte (Corridor-4, 46.88 km)-are scheduled for ambitious project aims to enhance the ports’ combined capacity
completion by December 2026. The announcement came after a by 36 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)-21 MTPA at Dharamtar and
joint press conference with Karnataka Infrastructure Development 15 MTPA at Jaigarh.
Minister M.B. Patil, following a progress review meeting with senior Following the expansion, Jaigarh Port’s capacity will increase from
officials of K-Ride, the Rail Infrastructure Development Company 55 MTPA to 70 MTPA, while Dharamtar Port’s capacity will rise from
(Karnataka) Ltd. During the meeting, officials requested an 34 MTPA to 55 MTPA. This initiative is part of JSW Infrastructure’s
additional three months to resolve land acquisition issues. Both broader goal to achieve a total capacity of 400 MTPA by 2030,
ministers emphasized that no further delays would be tolerated up from the current 170 MTPA.
once this extension is granted. To meet the 2026 deadline, the The expansion project, expected to be completed by March 2027,
ministers stressed that railway carriages must be supplied at least will include the development of new berths and infrastructure
six months prior to the project’s completion to ensure the timely enhancements such as railway siding at Jaigarh Port. The upgrade
launch of the corridors for public use. Minister Patil also proposed is intended to support the anticipated increase in cargo volume
extending the suburban railway network to neighboring cities and from a major customer’s proposed 5 MTPA steel-making facility in
towns. In response, Somanna committed to holding discussions Dolvi, Maharashtra. JSW Infrastructure estimates that the expansion
with relevant officials to explore these possibilities. The feasibility of will facilitate an additional cargo handling volume of around 27
extending Corridor-1 directly to Kolar from Devanahalli, bypassing MTPA across the two ports.
Chikkaballapura, was also considered.
The meeting further discussed integrating the suburban rail NHEV LAUNCHES 3 TECH TRIAL IN TAMIL NADU TO
RD
network with the proposed 281 km peripheral railway project, TRANSFORM HIGHWAYS INTO E-HIGHWAYS
which is estimated to cost `21,000 crore. Key officials, including The National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV), an initiative
South Western Railway General Manager Aravinda Srivastava, by the Government of India, has launched its third tech trial to
Namma Metro Managing Director Maheshwar Rao, and BBMP convert five highways in Tamil Nadu into electric highways. This
Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, were in attendance. pilot follows successful trials in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, which have
Earlier in the day, Somanna visited the Rail Wheel Factory in provided valuable insights into the deployment and management
Yelahanka to review the plant’s operations and upcoming projects. of electric and zero-emission vehicles.
The Tamil Nadu trial will focus on five key routes: Trichy to Chennai,
REWA AIRPORT RECEIVES DGCA APPROVAL, SET TO Trichy to Madurai, Coimbatore to Ulundurpet, Krishnagiri to
BECOME MADHYA PRADESH’S SIXTH OPERATIONAL Madurai, and Madurai to Kanyakumari. For the first time, this trial
AIRPORT will include not only electric SUVs and buses but also electric,
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted an hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles.
operating licence to Rewa Airport in Madhya Pradesh, marking The collected data will be used to determine optimal locations
a major step towards enhancing regional connectivity and and frequency for charging stations, evaluate associated costs,
economic growth in the state’s Vindhya region. This will make Rewa and assess the investment needed for the highway upgrades.
the sixth operational airport in Madhya Pradesh, joining Bhopal, “This trial marks a shift in focus to include freight and logistics
Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Khajuraho. Chief Minister Mohan components,” said Abhijit Sinha, Programme Director at NHEV.
Yadav, in a statement, highlighted the significance of the airport “We’re integrating logistical aspects to evaluate the deployment
for regional development, stating, “The Rewa Airport will boost of electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission trucks on a 5,500 km
economic activity and expand connectivity, contributing to the e-highway currently under upgrade by NHEV.”
state’s growth under the vision of a ‘Developed India-Developed Despite lower operating costs compared to diesel, hydrogen
Madhya Pradesh’.” The new airport will handle both passenger and electric trucks are not yet widely available for commercial
and cargo flights, aiming to improve access to cultural and use. This trial aims to gather real-time data to support their initial
historical landmarks, while also promoting trade, tourism, and deployment, following earlier e-mobility pilot projects for electric
employment in the region. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, buses and SUVs. Tamil Nadu was chosen for this project due to
a native of the Vindhya region, expressed excitement about the its significant role in India’s logistics sector and its potential to
upcoming airport operations, noting that it will usher in a new become a one-trillion-dollar economy. The state is a hub for
era of economic, social, and cultural development. He extended automobiles, logistics, and trucking in southern India, and also
his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Civil Aviation hosts numerous industries and manufacturing units.
Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, and the chief minister for making The initiative aims to reduce logistics costs in India from 14% to
this project a reality. 9%. As trucking is a major contributor to these expenses, Tamil
Rewa Airport’s operations are expected to play a crucial role in the Nadu’s advancements could serve as a model for other states.
state’s ongoing development efforts, enhancing connectivity and “Our goal is to decarbonize the trucking industry and transition to
unlocking new opportunities for the Vindhya region. zero-emission trucking,” Sinha added.

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