The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has signed a INR 48.33 crore contract with Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Pvt Ltd to install an anti-drag passenger door safety system across all 52 trains operating under Phase I. The system enhances existing obstacle-detection technology by identifying thin or light materials such as saree ends, dupattas, bag straps, and belts that could get trapped during door closure. If entrapment occurs, it will trigger an emergency brake and alert the driver instantly. CMRL clarified that this initiative is a preventive safety upgrade, not incident-driven. The feature will also be standard on Phase II trains, reinforcing global safety standards and boosting public confidence in Chennai's metro system.Read more

The Union government has initiated land acquisition for the 18.11 km Mohali-Rajpura railway link, at an estimated cost of INR 443 crore, which will span across 53.84 hectares in the Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts. The Ministry of Railways has asked the Government of Punjab to assist in securing and handing over the land needed for this special project. Project authorities believe the new link will directly connect the Malwa region with Chandigarh, ease congestion on the Chandigarh-Ambala section and provide an alternate freight corridor, benefiting farmers, traders and industrial zones. The demand dates back nearly fifty years, with earlier studies and approvals recorded in the 1990s and 2010s.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated rapid development of an airport, railway station and a multimodal logistics park within the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) zone, signalling a major push to transform the region into a manufacturing and logistics hub. Land acquisition measures have been tightened 56,662 acres have been approved, of which 22,028 acres are already acquired. Connectivity upgrades via the Agra-Gwalior Greenfield Expressway, the Bundelkhand Expressway and the fourth Delhi-Chennai rail line are being prioritised. The digitalisation of land-processes and a farmer helpline are also underway.Read more

The Odisha government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) to develop and operate two national waterways NW-5 and NW-64 with a total investment of INR 12,200 crore. The project aims to enable coal and other bulk cargo movement from the Talcher coalfields to Paradip and Dhamra ports via inland waterways. It will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Inland Waterways Consortium of Odisha Ltd (IWCOL), with IWAI responsible for preparatory work, infrastructure, and statutory clearances. The agreement is expected to reduce logistics costs, ease pressure on roads and railways and promote environmentally friendly transport.Read more

Global shipping major MSC has expressed concern over key operational shortcomings at Kerala's Vizhinjam Port, operated by the Adani Group. Despite the port handling over 1.1 million TEUs since becoming operational in the second half of last year, the company stated that the absence of an ICEGATE electronic gateway forces reliance on manual documentation. MSC also pointed out the lack of immigration facilities, preventing crew members from disembarking. The company further emphasised the need for uniform import-export procedures across Indian ports to ensure smoother logistics operations.Read more

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Swan Defence & Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) have entered into a teaming agreement to jointly design and build landing platform docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy as part of India's ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic defence production. The partnership was announced during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, shortly after the Defence Acquisition Council's approval for LPD procurement. MDL will manage the design and overall project execution, while SDHI will provide shipbuilding infrastructure and fabrication capabilities. The initiative highlights growing collaboration between public and private players in India's defence shipbuilding industry.Read more

The Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and India's Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) signed an MoU earlier this week to collaborate on tugboat operations in India. The partnership aims to meet rising tug-service demand amid container throughput growth of around 6-8 % and energy cargo growth of 3-5 % annually. It is also aligned with India's low-emission initiative under the Green Tug Transition Programme that seeks to convert major-port tugs to "green" status by 2040. MOL will bring its expertise in safe port operations and alternative fuels, while SCI provides local infrastructure and port-network presence.Read more

Progota India Pvt. Ltd., an associate company of Concord Control Systems Ltd., has obtained the 'Technical Prototype Clearance' from the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) for the latest version of the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection (ATP) system. The approval allows the company to conduct its trial order with the South Central Railway zone and qualifies it as a developmental vendor for future tenders under Indian Railways. Concord recently increased its shareholding in Progota from 26 % to 46.5 %, further strengthening its collaboration for the rollout of Kavach 4.0.Read more

A joint team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India visited Kishtwar recently to assess the proposal for upgrading the town's airstrip under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The officials conducted a ground-level study to examine the terrain and feasibility of expansion, followed by meetings with local authorities. The team is expected to submit its findings to higher officials soon. Earlier this year, Minister Jitendra Singh had announced that Kishtwar would get a full-fledged airport adjacent to the Chaugan ground.Read more

State-run REC Ltd has entered into an initial partnership with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL) to jointly explore financing opportunities within India's maritime and allied infrastructure sectors. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this week, aims to strengthen financial cooperation to accelerate port-led development and support the country's blue economy ambitions. Senior officials from both organisations attended the signing ceremony, underscoring their commitment to advancing critical maritime infrastructure.Read more