TRANSPORT MINISTRY OFFICIAL
Bright future for air cargo sector; need to ensure faster turnaround time: Official
The Indian government is working on improving processes and ensuring faster turnaround time in the air cargo sector to tap its potential. The government is also developing logistics hubs to improve the ease of doing business. The air cargo sector accounts for nearly 10% of domestic carriers' revenues and is estimated to grow to USD 16.37 billion by 2027.
India's EV plans to get a policy boost as govt may fast-track 3 big-ticket schemes
The Indian government plans to fast-track three major electric vehicle schemes in its first hundred days, including incentives for local battery production and electric bus procurement under FAME 3. Aimed at boosting clean mobility, these initiatives aim to propel India towards net-zero goals amid rising global demand for EVs.
PSU shipyard GRSE to build ocean-going tug for Bangladesh
The tug's primary roles will include towing ships at sea, both alongside and astern, assisting them during berthing and casting off, and aiding in turning through pushing and pulling, the GRSE official said. The vessel will also have the capability to carry out rescue and salvage operations at sea.
After proposing no tolls for poor highways, Nitin Gadkari asks officials to work on passes for cars
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed the introduction of monthly or annual passes for cars on the National Highway network to simplify toll collection and reduce commuter hassles. This suggestion comes alongside his call for tolls to be waived on poorly maintained highways, emphasizing the need for quality service before collecting tolls.
Certification to be must for road expansion joints
Road transport and highways ministry will soon mandate road contractors to certify all expansion joints on bridges and roads. This new requirement aims to prevent mishaps from the premature failure or deterioration of joints, which could lead to accidents.
At least 39 people killed in Israeli strikes across northern Gaza, officials say
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 39 people in northern Gaza on Saturday, with rescue workers searching for survivors. Fadel Naem, director of al-Ahli Hospital, reported receiving over three dozen bodies. The Palestinian Civil Defense dug through rubble in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp, uncovering dozens of bodies. Israel confirmed strikes on two Hamas military sites in Gaza City. This follows recent deadly strikes near Rafah, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, an Israeli strike in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley killed an al-Jamaa al-Islamiya member. The Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed thousands of lives since October 7.
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'Bodies on the ground': Pilgrims recount hajj heat horrors
Yasser, after failing to secure a hajj visa, performed the pilgrimage illegally, now regretting it. Concerned for his wife among the 1,000+ fatalities, mostly unregistered Egyptians. Egypt accounts for over half of the deaths. The unregistered faced challenges like lack of amenities and high temperatures. Saudi Arabia has not commented on the fatalities. The hajj must be completed by Muslims, but costs and quotas push some to the irregular route.
Ministry of Labour & Employment showcases e-Shram portal at 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva
The e-Shram portal, introduced at the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva, led by Secretary Sumita Dawra, aims to assist India's unorganised workers with a comprehensive solution.
Long road trip? India may free up 700 hectares of surplus land for resting facilities
The road transport ministry plans to de-notify around 700 hectares of surplus land for wayside amenities and resting facilities for drivers. The proposal aims to allow landowners to reclaim their property and utilize excess land from completed highway projects efficiently. The ministry is finalizing the policy, aligning with PM Narendra Modi's mobility expo promise.
G7 Summit: PM Modi, Zelenskyy discuss Black Sea transport corridor, increase exports of sunflower oil to India
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Italy. "The President spoke about the functioning of the Black Sea transport corridor, which makes it possible to increase exports of sunflower oil to India and turnover of other categories of goods," the Ukrainian president's website read.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Jitin Prasada take charge of electronics and IT ministry
Ashwini Vaishnaw took charge as the union railway minister, minister of information and broadcasting, and Union minister of electronics and information technology. Jitin Prasada is the minister of state for electronics and information technology, succeeding Rajeev Chandrasekhar after switching from Congress to BJP.
Egypt to host talks with Israel, US over Rafah crossing
Egypt to host Israeli and US officials in Cairo to discuss reopening the vital Rafah crossing for aid into Gaza. Efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange are underway. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the American president's proposal.
Rare move by govt: IL&FS, two subsidiaries ordered to recoup Rs 150 crore from ex-directors after accounts farce
This comes after IL&FS and the two arms in question had to recently reissue their account statements to show losses of Rs 9,600 crore for financial years 2013 to 2018, instead of a profit of Rs 1,869 crore originally shown. The original account had to be superseded following the unearthing of massive irregularities.
Karnataka HC upholds govt notification, caps service fee on app-based auto rides at 5%
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, while dismissing the petitions from the app-based aggregators, said the platforms were entitled to collect 5% service charge over and above the base fare fixed.
Road Ministry against hike in project lending rates, bats for status quo
"RBI, as a regulator, will have to create that balance to ensure financial viability of road projects does not take a hit," an official said. The central bank earlier this month proposed tighter norms, requiring lenders to allocate 5% of the project loan amount as general provisions during the construction phase, up from 0.4% provisions now.
Govt plans extensively to ensure adequate coal stock at thermal power plants ahead of monsoon
The coal ministry ensures adequate coal stock at thermal power plants before monsoons through sub-group meetings with state power generating companies and an inter-ministerial committee.
China to allow visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving by cruise ships
China is set to allow visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving via cruise ships, aiming to boost inbound tourism. Effective from May 15, groups can stay up to 15 days without a visa, entering from 13 ports. The move supports the cruise industry and enhances people-to-people exchanges.
Flash floods kill hundreds and injure many others in Afghanistan, Taliban says
Flash floods triggered by seasonal rains in Afghanistan have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and caused injuries to a "significant number," according to a Taliban official on Saturday. The floods primarily affected the northern region of the country. The province of Baghlan suffered the most from the deluge on Friday, with preliminary reports from officials indicating at least 50 fatalities and widespread property damage across multiple districts.
IAF takes delivery of second C295 transport aircraft
The Indian Air Force (IAF) received the second of 56 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace its ageing Avro-748 fleet. The aircraft, part of a Rs 21,935 crore acquisition deal formalized in September 2021, will be produced in Spain and Gujarat's Vadodara under India's 'Make in India' Aerospace program. The first India-made C295 is expected to roll out in September 2026. The C295MW aircraft features modern technology and will replace the Avro aircraft, offering capabilities for quick reaction and paradropping of troops and cargo.
Highway toll mopup rises 35% to 5-year high of ₹64,810 crore
Year-wise, toll collection stood at ₹25,154.76 crore in 2018-19, ₹27,637.64 crore in 2019-20, ₹27,923.80 crore in 2020-21, ₹33,907.72 crore in 2021-22 and ₹48,028.22 crore in 2022-23. A senior official said a shift to satellite-based toll collection is expected to add to the revenue. "We are doing pilots across different stretches and based on the feedback, the system will be rolled out pan India in a graded manner," the official said.
Road ministry working on mega plan for building 50,000 km of new, access-controlled, expressways
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to unveil a plan for constructing 50,000 km of new expressways by 2037 in the first 100 days of the new government. The program, replacing Bharatmala, aligns with Vision 2047 and aims to reduce logistic costs and modernize road infrastructure.
MoRTH builds 12,349 km of highways in FY24, 2nd highest so far
In 2023-24, Road Transport and Highways Ministry constructed 12,349 km of national highways, the second highest. The government has also launched a pilot project to provide cashless treatment to road accident victims. Accident victims will be entitled to cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh.
MoRTH raises Rs 40,314 cr through asset monetisation in FY24
MoRTH monetises its assets under three different modes -- toll-operate-transfer (TOT) model, Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) and project-based financing, in order to provide all categories of investors an opportunity to invest in assets pertaining to highways and associated infrastructure.
Road ministry sanctions Rs 1,385.60 cr for 295 road development projects
As per another statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has also sanctioned Rs 850 crore for the widening and strengthening of 31 state road projects, encompassing a total length of 435.29 Km in Telangana.
Days before it announces polls, Election Commission to meet top MHA officials
The Election Commission, along with Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, is reviewing security preparedness for the Lok Sabha polls. They will discuss deployment of central forces and set up polling stations across India. The Commission will also visit Jammu and Kashmir and meet with railways officials to discuss transportation of forces.
Top bureaucrat Anurag Jain given additional charge of MoHUA
Anurag Jain, the secretary of the Ministry of Road Transportation and Highway, has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. The Ministry aims to achieve a record-breaking road construction target of 13,000 kilometres with a run rate of 35 kilometres by this fiscal end.
Govt approves Rs 6,728 cr for construction of 8 stretches on Frontier Highway spanning 305 km
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved Rs 6,728.33 crore for the construction of eight stretches of NH-913 in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to enhance connectivity, foster socio-economic progress, and curb migration. The road will also establish crucial road infrastructure, linking river basins and facilitating hydropower projects.
High-speed access-controlled and four-lane highways construction to reach record high, says Anurag Jain
Further, Jain said that the Centre has lately introduced a lot of review systems with project directors and state governments, and undertaking weekly monitoring to ensure construction work quality. The government has identified as many as 9,000 black spots with work on more than 5,000 of them in full swing, with 100% completion expected by June this year, according to him.
Road contract awards in India hit decade-low in 2023-24, significantly below target
Data by the ministry of road transport and highways shows just 3481 km of road contract has been awarded till January this year as against the targeted 13,290 km for 2023-24. The average monthly road contracts awarded in this fiscal is 300 km so far.
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