Guwahati Gateway Ghat: India’s First River Terminal to Enhance Assam’s Connectivity and Boost Economic Activity.

The proposed Guwahati Gateway Ghat aims to unlock Assam’s growth potential by establishing India’s first state-of-the-art riverine ferry terminal. This groundbreaking project is set to address travel disruptions caused by the suspension of ferry services due to rising water levels in the Brahmaputra River.

Key Features of Guwahati Gateway Ghat Terminal:

• Floating pontoons to manage water level fluctuations year-round.
  • Modern Terminal Complex:
  • Facilities for both passenger and freight operations.
  • Berthing provisions with approach trestles and steel link spans.

• Terminal Building Infrastructure:
  • Two fire water tanks and additional tanks for raw and clarified water.
  • A sewage treatment plant with a 100 KLD capacity, along with a sewage collection pit and tank for waste management.
  • Pump-house for consistent water pressure.
  • Switchgear room for electrical infrastructure.
  • EV chargers for buses and a dedicated ferry supply station.
  • Two intake bore wells and a river water pumping system for fire water tank storage.

• Passenger Facilities:
  • Designated boarding and disembarking areas.
  • Ticket counter and entry lobbies for smooth operations.
  • Baggage scanner for efficient security checks.
  • VVIP room with toilet, first aid, and baby crèche facilities.
  • Food court and store room for dining and shopping.
  • Separate toilets for men and women, locker room, and electrical room.
  • Waiting lounge with 96 seats.
  • VVIP observatory deck and a public observatory deck with river views.
  • Cafeteria and air handling unit (AHU) room for comfort.

• Riverine Infrastructure:
  • Four intermediate dolphins and four berthing dolphins supported by steel piles.
  • Two berthing pontoons with canopies and four intermediate pontoons.
  • Link span featuring a steel bridge with a 20-kW solar panel system and a transparent roof for natural light.
  • Berthing capacity for six catamaran vessels.

• Economic Impact:
  • The development of the Guwahati Gateway Ghat is expected to have a transformative effect on Assam’s inland waterways. By integrating high-quality passenger and vehicle ferry services with inland water freight transport, the terminal will significantly enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

Expansion of Bengaluru-Hyderabad Highway to 12-Lane Expressway Set to Boost Regional Economy.

BJP MP and former Karnataka Cabinet Minister K. Sudhakar announced recently that the expansion of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway to a 12-lane expressway, as revealed in the Union Budget, will significantly boost the regional economy. Speaking to the media, Sudhakar said, “The expansion of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Highway to a 12-lane expressway will boost the economy in the region and specifically benefit my constituency, Chikkaballapura.”

Sudhakar expressed gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for promptly agreeing to take up the project. “When I recently met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and requested this project, he immediately agreed and promised to take it up soon. I thank Gadkari ji for the announcement of this project in the Budget,” he stated.

Sudhakar further praised the Union Budget, emphasizing that it reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a prosperous India, where farmers thrive, the poor lead dignified lives, the middle class is rewarded for their hard work, and Indian enterprise is bolstered.

“The Budget has laid out a clear roadmap to build on the momentum gained in the last 10 years. This is truly a Budget of hope and empowerment. PM Modi has always put national interests before political interests,” he concluded.

Indian Railways Receives Allocation of Rs.2.55 Lakh Crore.

Indian Railways has received a budgetary allocation of Rs.2.55 lakh crore for the financial year 2024-25. This represents a nearly 5% increase from last fiscal year’s allocation of Rs.2.4 lakh crore, which was already nine times higher than the allocation in 2013-14.

A significant portion of this year’s budget will be dedicated to staff costs, estimated at Rs.1.17 lakh crore. Fuel costs, including diesel and electricity, are projected to be Rs.10,817 crore and Rs.23,744 crore, respectively.

For capital expenditure, the budget estimate for 2024-25 is Rs.2,65,200 crore. This includes Rs.2,52,000 crore from general revenues, Rs.200 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund, Rs.3,000 crore from internal resources, and Rs.10,000 crore from extra-budgetary resources. This allocation highlights an increased emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPP).

Total receipts for the Railways, including revenues from passenger services, goods, coaching, and other sources, are estimated at Rs.2,78,500 crore for FY 2024-25, up from the revised estimate of Rs.2,58,600 crore for FY 2023-24.

The net revenue expenditure for the Railways is also set at Rs.2,78,500 crore for FY 2024-25, compared to Rs.2,58,600 crore in the previous year. Reimbursements for losses on strategic lines have been set at Rs.2,648 crore, slightly higher than the Rs.2,491.84 crore allocated last year.

Additionally, Rs.745 crore has been allocated for debt servicing of market borrowings for national projects. The capital expenditure includes funding for asset acquisition, construction, and replacement, supported by general revenues, the Nirbhaya Fund, and other resources.

Indian Railways Reports 93% Progress in Sairang Railway Project.

Indian Railways is making significant strides in transforming the northeastern states by executing several new railway line projects, aimed at connecting all state capitals of the region under the Ministry of Railways’ capital connectivity projects.

One such project, the Bhairabi-Sairang Railway Project, seeks to connect Mizoram’s capital to the rest of the country and is currently in an advanced stage of completion. Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway, highlighted the project’s importance, noting that it will be a game-changer for communication and commerce in Mizoram.

“The economical and environmentally friendly railway services will positively impact almost all development projects in the state. The 51.38 km new line between Bhairabi and Sairang is divided into four sections: Bhairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualkhang, and Mualkhang-Sairang. The project has already achieved 93% physical progress,” said Sabyasachi De.

The construction of the Bhairabi-Sairang railway project involves multiple tunnels and bridges through challenging terrain. “The total length of tunnels in this project is 12,853 meters, with 12,807 meters of tunneling work already completed. The project will feature 55 major bridges and 89 minor bridges, of which 47 major bridges and 87 minor bridges have been completed. The construction of the tallest pier, Pier P-4 of Bridge No. 196, at the approach to Sairang Station, has also been completed. This pier stands at 104 meters, which is 42 meters taller than the Qutub Minar. Additionally, the project includes five road-over bridges and six road-under bridges, and four stations: Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang,” De elaborated.

Despite challenges such as a short working season due to heavy and prolonged monsoons, tough and hilly terrain through deep forests, poor accessibility, and the non-availability of construction materials and skilled labor in Mizoram, the Northeast Frontier Railway is committed to the earliest commissioning of the project.

“The new rail project will enhance connectivity for the people of Mizoram, help grow small-scale industries, and boost tourism in the state. It will ensure substantial cost reductions in transporting passengers and various materials to this hilly state, catering to the local population’s needs. Travel time between Mizoram’s capital and nearby places in Assam will reduce significantly, providing the region’s people with long-distance access across the country and an uninterrupted supply of essential goods,” Sabyasachi De concluded.

TIDCO Secures Site Clearance from Centre for Parandur Airport Development.

The greenfield airport at Parandur near Chennai is one step closer to becoming a reality as the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) secures site clearance from the Centre. The Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports recommended granting Site Clearance to TIDCO for developing the airport at Parandur, Kancheepuram District, according to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. This response was given to a query from Tamil Nadu Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament P Wilson.

Under the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, TIDCO submitted an application to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for Site Clearance to develop the airport approximately 60 km west of Chennai. The proposal underwent examination in consultation with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Ministry of Defence/Indian Air Force, as per the GFA Policy.

Following the consultation process, the proposal was placed before the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports, which recommended the grant of Site Clearance to TIDCO for the Parandur airport.

Minister Naidu noted that the responsibility for implementing the airport project, including funding, land acquisition, and resettlement and rehabilitation, rests with TIDCO. An investment of Rs.20,000 crore is planned for the greenfield airport at Parandur, which is expected to handle 10 crore passengers annually. The airport will feature two runways, terminal buildings, taxiways, an apron, and a cargo terminal.

Currently, Chennai airport handles around 2.2 crore passengers annually. After ongoing modernization work, it will have the capacity to handle 3.5 crore passengers per year for the next seven years.

The Ministry of Defence has also granted a No Objection for the site clearance, further paving the way for the project’s development.

Track Construction Begins on Kanpur Central Underground Section.

Track construction has officially commenced on the Kanpur Central-Transport Nagar underground section of the metro line. The initial work is focused on the ‘up-line’ of a 1,250-meter stretch between Nayaganj and Kanpur Central Station. Track slab casting started on recently following the installation of rails in this segment.

Construction inside the underground tunnel involved lowering the rails from the cut-out near the under-construction Kanpur Central metro station, followed by welding. The welding and laying of tracks along the 1,250-meter-long ‘up-line’ tunnel from Kanpur Central Station to Nayaganj Station have been completed. Like the elevated tracks of the Kanpur Metro, the underground tracks are also ballast-less and feature a mass-spring system to reduce vibrations and noise.

Once the track slab casting is finished, derailment guards will be installed, and preparations will be made for the installation of the third rail.

Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UPMRC), noted, “Progress on the ‘downline’ track construction from the ramp area at Mcroberganj to Nayaganj Station is also advancing rapidly, with about 80% of the work completed. We have also begun casting track slabs in the ‘Up-Line’ tunnel between Nayaganj and Kanpur Central Station. Recently, we launched the ‘Azad’ TBM machine for tunnel construction from the ramp area near Swadeshi Cotton Mill to Kanpur Central Station.”

Centre to Secure Rs.15,000-Crore Support from Global Agencies for Amaravati Development.

The Union Government will facilitate special financial support through multilateral development agencies amounting to Rs.15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh’s capital, Amaravati, announced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

In her Budget 2024-25 speech, Sitharaman stated, “Our government has made concerted efforts to fulfil the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Recognising the State’s need for a capital, we will facilitate special financial support through multilateral development agencies. In the current financial year, Rs.15,000 crore will be arranged, with additional amounts in future years.”

Funds will also be provided for essential infrastructure such as water, power, railways, and roads in the Kopparthi node on the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and the Orvakal node on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. Additional allocations will be made this year towards capital investment for economic growth, Sitharaman added. Grants for the backward regions of Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and North Coastal Andhra, as stated in the Act, will also be provided.

The NDA’s pre-poll manifesto in the State promised building a new capital at Amaravati, completing the long-pending Polavaram Irrigation project, and a host of freebies under its ‘Super Six’ welfare schemes. Centre’s financial support is crucial for the State Government to fulfil these promises.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the State Government deferred the full Budget for the sake of clarity on State finances. It will be releasing a white paper on the finances in the ongoing Assembly sessions.

According to government data, capital expenditure was reduced by 60% in 2019-24 compared with 2014-19. Departments such as Water Resources and Transport, Roads & Buildings, which undertake substantial capital works, were left ‘critically short of funds’ to carry out any works.

The compound annual growth rate of the State’s Own Tax Revenue slipped from 12.8% to 8.1% during this period, while revenue expenditure increased from 7.8% to 10.5%.

Commenting on the Union Budget allocations for Andhra Pradesh, Jayadev Galla, Chairman of Amara Raja Group, said, “Rs.15,000 crore support for capital development, commitment to financing and completion of the Polavaram irrigation project, grants for backward districts, and allocation of funds for various social and infrastructure development projects will significantly attract new investments and spur growth. We eagerly await the actual allocations for other projects and fulfillment of commitments made in the AP Reorganisation Act. We look forward to continued support from the Centre as we work to rebuild the State.”

Railways Approves Rs.288.6 Crore for Flyover Project in Sambalpur, Odisha.

The Ministry of Railways has approved Rs.288.61 crore for a major flyover project in Sambalpur, aiming to enhance train operations and reduce local congestion. The new flyover will link Sambalpur Station with Sambalpur City Station, spanning 8.10 km.

This infrastructure upgrade is expected to streamline train movements in all directions, easing traffic and facilitating smoother operations towards Titilagarh, Angul, and Jharsuguda. The project is designed to improve train speeds and operational efficiency in the region.

Officials highlighted that the construction is part of the Indian Railways’ Energy Corridor initiative, underscoring the commitment to sustainable and efficient infrastructure development.

Government Announces ‘Plug and Play’ Industrial Parks in 100 Cities.

The government will develop “plug and play” industrial parks in 100 cities across the country, partnering with states and private companies, announced Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech on Tuesday. She also revealed that 12 industrial parks will be sanctioned under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.

“Our government will facilitate the development of investment-ready ‘plug and play’ industrial parks with complete infrastructure in or near 100 cities, in partnership with the states and private sector, by better using town planning schemes,” Sitharaman said.

Rajesh Jaggi, Vice-Chairman of real estate at Everstone Group, which backs Indospace, an industrial and logistics park developer, highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative. “Together with states and the private sector, this pioneering step has the potential to transform both industrial development and urban planning in a big way. These projects are going to serve as vibrant economic centres that drive development and innovation, poised to create a lasting impact,” he said.

Manoj Purohit, Partner and Leader at BDO India, emphasized the benefits for the manufacturing sector. “The announcement for setting up 12 new industrial parks will boost the manufacturing sector and encourage new entrants to get easy entry into the space with much-needed financial support. It will also enhance employment opportunities and enable the banking sector to participate while financing the working capital needs,” he stated.

Shashi Kiran Shetty, Chairman and Founder of Allcargo Group, added, “By providing comprehensive infrastructure and fostering collaboration between states and the private sector, this plan will attract investments, create jobs, and spur economic activity. Additionally, the sanctioning of twelve industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme will enhance our manufacturing capabilities and export potential.”

Reliance Industries is setting up such parks in Haryana and near Mumbai. Mahindra and Mahindra runs an industrial park near Chennai called Mahindra World City.