News Bulletin: October 2025 – Edition 1
Railways Sanctions New Bengaluru-Mumbai Superfast Train
After three decades, the Railways has approved a new superfast train between Bengaluru and Mumbai, addressing a long-pending demand. Currently, only the Udyan Express runs on this route, taking over 24 hours. The new train will provide faster, more affordable travel compared to buses and flights. Announced by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, the move is expected to ease congestion, boost economic ties, and benefit lakhs of commuters between the two major metro cities.
Read more: ET Infra
Adani Launches ₹600-Crore Logistics Park in Kochi
Adani Ports & SEZ has begun work on a ₹600-crore logistics park in Kalamassery, Kochi, under Kerala’s “Invest in Kerala” initiative. The 70-acre smart, sustainable facility will span 1.3 million sq ft and is expected to create over 1,500 jobs while supporting MSMEs in sectors like e-commerce, pharma, FMCG, and automotive.
Read more: Maritime Gateway
Trump’s 100% Pharma Tariffs Threaten India’s Drug Exports
The Trump administration has plans to impose 100% tariffs on branded and patented drug imports starting from October 1, sparing generics for now. With India exporting nearly US$10 billion worth of drugs to the U.S. in FY25 (≈35% of its pharma exports), Indian firms are responding with backward integration, diversification, stronger R&D, and U.S.-based manufacturing to reduce risk.
Read more: India Shipping News
India Targets 5% of Global Shipbuilding Market in Next Decade
The Indian government aims to capture 5% of the global shipbuilding market by 2030 through modernization, PPPs, and green-tech adoption. Plans include developing 10 world-class shipyards, incentivizing automation and digital twins, launching a Maritime Development Fund, and boosting domestic container vessel production to cut reliance on foreign players.
Read more: Maritime Gateway
L&T Secures $700M ESG-Linked Trade Facility to Drive Sustainability Goals
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a $700 million Sustainability-Linked Trade Facility from Standard Chartered. The financing is tied to KPIs including greenhouse gas emission intensity and freshwater withdrawal. Following its earlier $60 million sustainability-linked bond under SEBI’s ESG framework, the deal highlights L&T’s push for green financing and sustainable growth.
Read more: ET Infra
Policy Watch
1. Supreme Court: Exemptions for educational & industrial projects struck down; EIA clearance now mandatory.
On August 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of India struck down the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEFCC) January 29, 2025 notification that had exempted educational buildings and industrial sheds from obtaining prior environmental clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006. The Court emphasized that such exemptions are arbitrary and contrary to the purpose of India’s environmental laws.
2. Risk Guarantee Fund: ₹20,000 Cr proposed to de-risk private infrastructure investment.
The Indian government is considering the establishment of a ₹20,000 crore risk guarantee fund aimed at stimulating private sector investment in infrastructure projects. This initiative seeks to mitigate risks associated with infrastructure development, thereby encouraging greater private participation in critical infrastructure projects across the country.
3. Indian Ports Act, 2025: Modernized governance & environmental safeguards.
The Indian Ports Act, 2025, enacted on August 21, 2025, replaces the colonial-era Indian Ports Act of 1908. This comprehensive legislation aims to modernize India’s port governance by promoting integrated development, enhancing environmental safeguards, and fostering cooperative federalism between the Centre and coastal States. Key provisions include the establishment of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) to coordinate national port development plans and the formation of State Maritime Boards to manage non-major ports. The Act also mandates compliance with global green norms, disaster readiness, and digitalization of port operations to improve ease of doing business.