News Bulletin: October 2026 – Edition 1
Ports & Maritime
Kerala Clears ₹271 Crore Revised Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour Project
The Kerala government has granted in-principle administrative sanction for the revised Vizhinjam fishing harbour project, ending a long-standing delay. The first package, to be implemented by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd, includes a 235-metre breakwater and 500-metre L-shaped fishery berth, along with ancillary facilities, at an estimated cost of ₹146 crore. The revised design follows wave-model studies by the Central Water and Power Research Station to improve harbour tranquility after construction of the international port. The overall programme is estimated at around ₹271 crore.
Read More Here: ET Infra
VOC Port Records 74.5% Surge in Wind Turbine Blade Handling
V.O. Chidambaranar Port handled 2,188 wind turbine blades between April and August 2026, registering a 74.5% year-on-year increase from 1,254 blades during the corresponding period of FY2025-26. The number of vessels carrying wind turbine blade consignments also rose from 39 to 52. The port handled a record 4,922 blades in FY2025-26, up 86.8% year-on-year. With dedicated storage areas, specialised handling equipment and capacity for blades up to 90.2 metres, VOC Port is strengthening its role in renewable-energy logistics.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Chennai Port Launches Port Setu to Digitise Export Container Tracking
Chennai Port Authority has launched Port Setu, a digital system to track export containers moving by road between Container Freight Stations and the port gate. Developed by the Chennai chapter of NACFS, the system uses ANPR, OCR and RFID technology, integrated with Customs’ ICEGATE platform. Port Setu records trailer transit times, improves visibility of container movements and supports faster turnaround, with the port expecting one additional round trip for every six trips. Phase two will further digitise seal verification and enable paperless gate entry.
Read More Here: Maritime Gateway
Hambantota Port Crosses 1 Million TEUs, Targets 2 Million Capacity
Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka has surpassed 1 million TEUs in cumulative container throughput since new quay cranes were commissioned in 2025. The port handled 428,036 TEUs in 2025 and another 574,196 TEUs in 2026 so far, taking the combined total to 1,002,232 TEUs. To support further growth, HIP is investing US$108 million in six quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, alongside berth and yard expansion. The upgrades are designed to support a long-term capacity target of 2 million TEUs annually.
Read More Here: Maritime Gateway
Roads & Highways
Centre Approves ₹508.66 Crore for NH-14 and NH-114 Upgrades in West Bengal
The Centre has approved ₹508.66 crore for strengthening and selective widening of NH-14 and NH-114 in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The project covers 91.90 km of NH-14 between Bhimgarh and Nalhati via Mallarpur and 56.40 km of NH-114 between Surul Village and Mallarpur. The upgrades are expected to improve road safety, reduce congestion and travel time, and facilitate smoother movement of people and freight. The improved corridors will also strengthen connectivity between villages, towns and key economic centres.
Read More Here: ET Infra
BMC Plans ₹6,000 Crore Tender for Next Phase of Mumbai Road Concretisation
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing a ₹6,000 crore tender for the next phase of Mumbai’s concrete road programme, with work targeted to begin from December 2026 or January 2027. The new package will incorporate unfinished works taken away from slow-moving contractors, including reductions of ₹300 crore from NCC’s ₹1,600 crore contract and ₹85 crore from Eagle Infra India’s scope. The tender is also expected to cover roads 9 metres wide or less, expanding concretisation to smaller city roads.
Read More Here: ET Infra
₹68 Crore Land Acquisition Clears 15-Year Hurdle for Baner-Pashan Link Road
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has cleared a 15-year-old land acquisition hurdle for the Baner-Pashan Link Road after paying around ₹68 crore in compensation and declaring the final award. The 1.2-km, 36-metre-wide road has remained incomplete because a 200-metre stretch could not be acquired. PMC has now begun taking physical possession of the land, after which the remaining construction will be prioritised. The project is expected to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion for residents of Baner, Pashan and Sutarwadi.
Read More Here: Construction World
Centre Approves ₹2,503 Crore NH-351G Upgrade and Bypass Projects in Gujarat
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved road projects worth ₹2,502.91 crore in Gujarat, including the ₹2,125.55 crore upgrade of the 196-km NH-351G corridor from Nageshri through Amreli to Chotila. The project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model, with most of the highway upgraded to two lanes with paved shoulders, while selected stretches will receive four-laning. Another ₹377.36 crore is allocated for the Wadia and Jetpur bypasses and Thanagalol realignment, covering 20.44 km on NH-351.
Read More Here: Biltrax Media
Nashik East Floats ₹37.86 Lakh Tender for New Concrete Road
The Nashik Municipal Corporation has invited bids for construction of a concrete road connecting Madina Nagar, Babubhai Ghota and Wadala Gaon in Nashik East’s Prabhag No. 30. The project has an estimated value of ₹37.86 lakh, with an EMD of ₹37,863. The open tender was published on October 3, 2026, with bids scheduled to close on October 8 and open on October 9. The work is part of NMC’s ongoing road infrastructure development across Nashik’s eastern division.
Read More Here: Urban Acres
Gurugram Plans ₹776 Crore Elevated Corridor from NH-48 to Vatika Chowk
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has invited bids for a 4.23-km elevated corridor on the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) connecting NH-48 with Vatika Chowk. Estimated at ₹776.19 crore excluding GST, the EPC project will include interchanges, loops and ramps to enable smoother, signal-free traffic movement. Construction is scheduled for 30 months, followed by a 10-year maintenance period. The corridor is expected to reduce congestion at major junctions and strengthen connectivity between NH-48, Dwarka Expressway and the Gurugram-Sohna corridor.
Read More Here: Financial Express
Rail & Mobility
Railways Prioritises ₹9,000 Crore Rangpo–Gangtok Rail Link
Indian Railways has prioritised the proposed 34-km Rangpo–Gangtok railway link, estimated to cost around ₹9,000 crore, to extend rail connectivity to Sikkim’s capital. The move comes as the Sevoke–Rangpo project nears completion, with the existing 44.96-km line targeted for completion by December 2027. The Rangpo–Gangtok extension is expected to strengthen passenger and freight connectivity, improve access to Gangtok and support tourism and regional economic activity. The project is being advanced as part of broader multimodal connectivity planning for Sikkim.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Chennai Metro Phase 2 Achieves Three TBM Breakthroughs in Three Days
Chennai Metro Rail Limited has achieved three TBM breakthroughs in three consecutive days, accelerating underground construction under Phase 2. The milestones include Kaveri at Kilpauk Medical College on September 29, Marutham at Villivakkam on September 30, and Adyar at RK Salai on October 1. Adyar completed a 915-metre tunnel drive in 277 days between Royapettah and RK Salai, navigating dense urban infrastructure. The latest breakthrough also marks the 10th TBM breakthrough under the TU02 contract, strengthening progress on Corridors 3 and 5.
Read More Here: Rail Analysis India
Ahmedabad Railway Division Records ₹208.6 Crore Passenger Revenue in September
The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway recorded its highest-ever monthly passenger revenue of ₹208.60 crore in September 2026, marking a 34.54% year-on-year increase from ₹155.05 crore. Total divisional revenue reached around ₹852 crore, with freight earnings rising 6.88% to ₹636.08 crore and parcel revenue increasing 20% to ₹7.40 crore. Freight growth was supported by new commodities and customers, while Kandla Port Goods Shed was notified as a Container Rail Terminal to further strengthen freight operations.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Logistics & Freight
South Western Railway Records 5.9% Growth with 4.41 MT September Freight Loading
South Western Railway (SWR) recorded its highest-ever September freight loading of 4.41 million tonnes, marking a 5.9% year-on-year increase over 4.17 MT in September 2025. Cumulative freight loading during April-September 2026 reached 26.1 MT, up 5.8% year-on-year. Iron ore led September volumes at 1.7 MT, followed by pig iron and finished steel at 1.127 MT and coal at 0.9 MT. Freight revenue also rose 8.72% to ₹465 crore during the month, supporting overall revenue growth.
Read More Here: ET Infra
KSIE to Operationalise Balaramapuram CFS for Vizhinjam Port by March 2027
Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) is developing a Container Freight Station at Balaramapuram to support the growing cargo requirements of Vizhinjam International Seaport. Phase I commercial operations and full Customs clearance are targeted for March 2027. The facility will include container yards, covered warehouses, reefer infrastructure, reach stackers, weighbridges, safety systems and digital Customs integration. It is initially designed to handle 1,000–1,500 TEUs per month, with capacity to expand as Vizhinjam cargo volumes grow. A second phase at the nearby KAL property will focus on empty-container handling.
Read More Here: ITLN
Ahmedabad Division Records 7% Growth in Freight Revenue in September
The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway recorded freight revenue of ₹636.2 crore in September 2026, up nearly 7% from ₹595.2 crore a year earlier. Freight loading increased to 4.6 million tonnes, while long-haul train operations surged 51.3%, with 118 such trains operated during the month. Coal loading rose 24%, fertiliser 61.2% and automobile loading 5%. The division also achieved a record 90 rakes in a single day, highlighting stronger freight capacity utilisation and operational efficiency.
Read More Here: India Sea Trade News
JNPA and Maharashtra Explore Electric Freight Mobility Across Port Corridors
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Maharashtra’s Transport & Ports Department and Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA) have held an industry meeting to accelerate electric freight mobility across JNPA-linked corridors and port operations. The discussions brought together terminal operators, shipping lines, transporters, freight forwarders, CFSs, Customs agents and EV service providers. Stakeholders examined the operational, commercial and infrastructure requirements for electrifying freight movement, with a focus on government-industry collaboration to develop practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions for sustainable port-linked logistics.
Read More Here: India Seatrade News
APSEZ Cargo Volumes Rise 15% to 280 MMT in H1 FY27
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) handled 280 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in H1 FY2026-27, registering a 15% year-on-year increase. Container and dry cargo volumes each grew 15%, driving overall performance. In September alone, APSEZ handled 46 MMT, up 11% YoY, with container volumes rising 15%. Its logistics rail business recorded 62,302 TEUs in September, up 3% YoY, although H1 rail volumes declined 13% to 312,763 TEUs. The results highlight continued strength in APSEZ’s port operations.
Read More Here: ET Supply Chain
Indian Railways Extends Freight Train Trials for Runs Up to 10,000 km
Indian Railways has extended the nationwide trial of Brake Power Certificate (BPC) reforms for freight trains until March 31, 2027, allowing longer-distance operations with fewer technical stops. Under the revised framework, coal and heavy-freight BOXN wagons and gas tankers can operate up to 10,000 km, while BCN grain wagons and containers can run up to 9,000 km. The move is aimed at reducing yard detention, increasing freight train utilisation and accelerating the movement of coal, foodgrains and other essential goods across India.
Read More Here: Jagran
India Plans Hyperloop Cargo Trial in Mumbai
India is moving ahead with a major Hyperloop freight pilot in Mumbai, with the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) placing an order with IIT Madras-linked TuTr Hyperloop to test the movement of a fully loaded shipping container. The proposed pilot will evaluate Hyperloop technology for high-throughput freight movement between ports and logistics facilities. The project, estimated at around ₹20–23 crore, is being developed as an R&D initiative and is expected to take about a year to implement. The initiative reflects India’s growing efforts to develop indigenous Hyperloop technology for future port, warehouse and logistics connectivity.
Read More: IndianWeb2
Energy & Resources
L&T Secures ₹10,000–15,000 Crore Power Transmission Orders Across India and West Asia
Larsen & Toubro’s Power Transmission & Distribution business has secured multiple EPC orders worth ₹10,000–15,000 crore across India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The projects include 380 kV transmission lines and substations in Saudi Arabia, 132/11 kV substations and associated cabling in the UAE, and a transmission system comprising lines and substations in Visakhapatnam. The orders will strengthen grid infrastructure, expand transmission capacity and support renewable energy evacuation, highlighting continued investment in power networks across India and West Asia.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
Delhi Clears 382 Sites for Expansion of EV Charging Network
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has approved 382 sites in Delhi for developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, out of 456 locations identified by the Delhi government and Delhi Transport Corporation. The approved sites have been reassessed for separate deployment across two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers. The government plans to tender the first tranche of 160–180 high-readiness sites. The charging network is being developed ahead of upcoming EV mandates, including 100% electric registrations for three-wheelers and N1 light commercial vehicles from January 2027 and two-wheelers from April 2028.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
Coal India Raises Power Sector Coal Supply 11% to 148.2 MT in Q2 FY27
Coal India’s coal supply to the power sector increased 11.01% year-on-year to 148.20 million tonnes (MT) during Q2 FY2026-27, compared with 133.50 MT in the same period last year. Overall coal offtake rose 12.04% to 186.04 MT, while production increased 3.81% to 151.37 MT. Higher dispatches enabled CIL to liquidate around 63 MT of pithead stocks during the first six months of FY27. With the monsoon receding, the company expects production and supplies to strengthen further.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
India Enters Second Nuclear Stage as 500 MWe PFBR Achieves First Criticality
India has entered the second stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme after the indigenous 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026. Built by BHAVINI, the reactor uses Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel and is designed to breed additional fissile material while supporting the future use of thorium. India’s nuclear capacity currently stands at 8.78 GW and is projected to reach 22.38 GW by 2031–32, with a long-term target of 100 GW by 2047.