News Bulletin: December 2025 – Edition 1
Japanese Steel Giant Aichi Steel Plans ₹500 Crore Expansion in Punjab
Japanese steelmaker Aichi Steel has signed an MoU with Vardhman Special Steels in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, outlining plans to invest ₹500 crore in the state. The company already holds a 24.9 percent stake in Vardhman and will now undertake a feasibility study for new factory operations. The expansion underscores strengthening industrial ties between India and Japan and is expected to support manufacturing growth and job creation in Punjab.
Read more here: ET Infra
JSW Infrastructure Buys Three Rail Logistics Arms for ₹1,212 Crore
JSW Infrastructure, through its subsidiary JSW Port Logistics, has acquired full ownership of three JSW rail logistics companies – JSW Rail Infra Logistics, JSW Minerals Rail Logistics, and JSW (South) Rail Logistics – for ₹1,212 crore. The deal gives JSW access to an operational rake fleet, long-term licenses under Indian Railways freight schemes GPWIS and LSFTO, and a combined portfolio of 21 rakes with more on the way. The acquisition strengthens JSW’s push to build an integrated multimodal logistics platform across ports, terminals, rail and freight corridors.
Read more here: India Shipping News
DGCA Questions IndiGo Over Major Disruptions
The aviation regulator has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s CEO after widespread cancellations and delays. The DGCA has asked the airline to explain the causes, outline its contingency measures, and detail how passengers were supported. The move signals increased scrutiny of airline reliability during peak travel periods.
Read more here: ET Infra
NHAI & Jio Roll Out Real-Time Safety Alerts on National Highways
The National Highways Authority of India has partnered with Reliance Jio to introduce a real-time “Safety Alert System” across major national highways. The system uses mobile-network integration to send instant warnings to motorists about accidents, fog, traffic congestion, or reduced visibility.
It’s a small but important shift: quicker alerts mean better awareness, faster response times, and ultimately safer journeys on some of India’s busiest corridors.
Read more here: ET Infra
Nationwide Barrier-Free Highway Tolling Set to Roll Out Within a Year
The government plans to replace traditional toll plazas with a barrier-free electronic tolling system across India’s national highways within the next year. NHAI has already deployed the model at 10 locations, using FASTag along with ANPR and AI-enabled cameras to allow vehicles to pass without stopping. The Multi-Lane Free Flow system is expected to ease congestion, cut emissions and offer drivers a smoother and faster travel experience.
Read more here: ET Infra
IKEA Supply AG Joins Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA+) to Advance Digital Container Shipping
IKEA Supply AG has become the first cargo owner to join DCSA+, the global initiative focused on standardising and digitalising container shipping. The move brings a large shipper’s perspective into a group that already includes carriers, ports, forwarders and technology providers. DCSA says IKEA’s participation will strengthen efforts to harmonize data exchange, improve transparency and build interoperable digital standards that benefit the wider supply chain.
Read more here: Maritime Gateway
India’s First All-Women-Operated Warehouse Goes Live in Indore
Mahindra Logistics and L’Oréal India have opened the country’s first warehouse operated entirely by women. From inventory control to dispatch, every function is managed by an all-women team trained in safety, first aid, POSH norms and leadership. Serving markets across central India, the facility signals a meaningful step toward gender inclusion in logistics and sets a precedent for more diverse supply-chain operations.
Read more here: Maritime Gateway
Maharashtra Farmer Company Sends First Banana Shipment to Dubai
Surachita Agro Producer Company, a farmer-owned enterprise from Solapur, has exported its first 20-tonne shipment of bananas to Dubai, a notable step for smallholder-led agricultural exports. The consignment reflects rising demand for Indian produce in the Gulf and the group’s ability to meet export-grade quality standards, opening doors to new markets and improved income pathways for its member farmers.
Read more here: India Shipping News
On The Horizon
1. India Scales Up Domestic Solar Manufacturing Capacity
India has crossed a major milestone with 100 GW of solar PV module manufacturing capacity now listed under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), up from only 2.3 GW in 2014. This expansion has been driven by policy incentives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the rapid scale-up of high-efficiency module lines, and the entry of several new manufacturers. The ecosystem now spans 100 manufacturers operating 123 units, positioning India as a serious global player in solar hardware production.
Read more
With module supply becoming more self-reliant and capacity expanding at scale, the pressure in renewable projects will increasingly shift to land readiness, environmental approvals, transmission connectivity, and project preparation. Manufacturing is catching up; planning will now decide project timelines.
2. Coastal Ports Hint at a Logistics Rebalancing
Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla) recently became the fastest major port in India to cross 100 million tonnes this year. The port handled a diverse cargo mix across crude, coal, containers and agri-products, reflecting both strong domestic demand and rising coastal logistics activity. Read More
Higher volumes at ports like Kandla foreshadow rising demand for hinterland connectivity, intermodal design, compliance, dredging, environmental planning, and integrated port-logistics interfaces. Ports are increasingly functioning as anchor nodes in wider logistics ecosystems.
3. Urban Water Systems Face Climate-Driven Stress
A recent climate-hydrology study highlights that cities like Delhi and Bengaluru face growing water scarcity risks due to shifting monsoon patterns, increased evaporation and stressed reservoirs. Urban growth and climate variability are now converging faster than current water systems can adapt. Read More
Urban water planning will require integrated hydrology, climate-risk modelling, drainage redesign and long-term resource management. Water resilience is becoming a central urban-infrastructure priority.