News Bulletin: April 2026 – Edition 1
India–Russia Explore Deeper Steel Sector Collaboration
India and Russia have initiated discussions to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector, focusing on raw materials, technology exchange, and joint manufacturing opportunities to support industrial growth.
Read more here: Reuters
India and Austria Sign 15 Agreements Across Key Sectors
India and Austria have signed 15 agreements covering defence, technology, and trade, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding economic and strategic engagement.
Read more here: Economic Times
India Enters Second Stage of Nuclear Power Programme with PFBR Milestone
India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has achieved first criticality, marking the start of a sustained nuclear reaction and the country’s entry into the second stage of its three-stage nuclear programme. Designed to optimize limited uranium resources while leveraging abundant thorium reserves, the development strengthens India’s long-term clean energy capacity and energy security.
Read more here: PIB
Mazagon Dock Acquires 51% Stake in Colombo Dockyard for ₹249.5 Crore
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd has acquired a 51% controlling stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka for ₹249.5 crore, marking its first international acquisition. The move expands its shipbuilding and repair capabilities beyond domestic markets, strengthens India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region, and positions the company for greater participation in global maritime infrastructure and defence projects.
Read more here: India Shipping News
Saudi Arabia Railways Launches 5 New Logistics Routes to Boost Supply Chains
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched five new logistics routes connecting key Gulf ports with inland industrial hubs, dry ports, and economic zones. Integrated with multimodal networks, the corridors are expected to reduce transit times, lower logistics costs, and improve cargo movement efficiency, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to emerge as a global logistics hub under Vision 2030.
Read more here: India Shipping News
Tax Exemption Granted on Land Acquired for National Highway Projects
The government has granted full tax exemption on compensation received for land acquired for national highway projects, ensuring that no income tax or TDS is levied. The move aligns with existing land acquisition provisions and is expected to ease financial burden on landowners, reduce disputes, and accelerate highway project execution.
Read more here: ET Infra
PM Modi Unveils ₹12,000 Crore Delhi–Dehradun Expressway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, a ₹12,000 crore infrastructure project designed to significantly enhance connectivity between the two cities. The 213-km, access-controlled corridor reduces travel time from around 6 hours to just 2.5 hours, easing congestion and improving travel efficiency. The expressway also features advanced safety systems and eco-friendly design elements, including wildlife corridors.
Read more here: ET Infra
Energy Security Takes Centre Stage at Bharat Electricity Summit 2026
Energy security emerged as a key theme at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, with discussions centred on balancing renewable energy expansion with reliable conventional power sources. Key focus areas included grid expansion, cross-border power trade, and emerging demand from EVs and data centres, highlighting the need for coordinated policy and investment.
Read more here: Indian Infrastructure
Key Trends Driving Growth in India’s Aviation Sector
India’s aviation sector continues to grow on the back of rising passenger demand, airport modernization, and increasing private investment. Airports are evolving into integrated hubs with improved technology and passenger experience, alongside a push for regional connectivity, cargo expansion, and sustainability initiatives.
Read more here: Indian Infrastructure
India–Oman Discuss Trade Expansion Under CEPA Framework
India and Oman are exploring opportunities to expand bilateral trade under a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Discussions have focused on improving market access, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing cooperation across sectors such as energy, logistics, and manufacturing, with the aim of deepening long-term economic ties.
Read More Here: Business World
Digital-Only Toll Collection Begins on National Highways from April 10
India has implemented a fully digital toll collection system across national highways, eliminating cash payments in favour of FASTag and UPI. The transition is expected to reduce congestion at toll plazas, improve traffic flow, enhance transparency, and support a more efficient and technology-driven highway network.
Read more here: ET Infra
Mundra Becomes India’s Largest Auto Export Hub with Record Shipment
Adani’s Mundra Port has emerged as India’s largest automobile export hub, setting a record by shipping over 6,000 cars in a single vessel. With exports reaching more than 100 countries through its RoRo terminal, the milestone highlights the role of modern port infrastructure in supporting large-scale vehicle exports.
Read more here: India Shipping News
Mumbai Accelerates Capex with Major Urban Infrastructure Push
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation utilized 87% of its FY26 capital expenditure budget, with major investments in sewage treatment, roads, water supply, and bridges. The spending reflects a strong push toward upgrading urban infrastructure at scale.
Read more here: Time of India
Solid Waste Rules 2026: Key Changes to Know
From 1st April 2026, the new Solid Waste Management Rules are in effect, and they will change how projects, cities, and industries deal with waste.
The key shift is that waste can no longer be treated as something we deal with at the end. It has to be managed from the point it is created.
What’s changing on the ground?
(For full details, refer to the official notification: SWM_2026.pdf)
Segregation starts at source
Waste now has to be separated into wet, dry, hazardous, and sanitary at the point of generation. This applies across homes, offices, and project sites. Mixed waste is treated as non-compliance.
Responsibility is shifting to generators
Large waste generators such as industries, hotels, and residential complexes can no longer rely only on municipal systems. They are expected to register, manage, and in some cases process waste on site.
Waste is becoming traceable
A digital tracking system is being introduced to monitor how much waste is generated, where it goes, and how it is processed. This makes compliance more transparent and harder to bypass.
Processing is moving closer to source
There is a clear push for composting, recycling, and reuse at or near the point of generation. This reduces transport, lowers landfill pressure, and improves recovery of materials.
Landfills are being pushed to the background
Only waste that cannot be reused or recycled should go to landfills, and even that must be handled scientifically.
Legacy waste is being addressed
Old dump sites will be taken up for bio-mining and remediation, helping recover land and reduce environmental risks.