News Bulletin: October 2026 – Edition 2
Ports & Maritime
Paradip Port Targets 170 MMT Cargo as Infrastructure Upgrades Accelerate
Paradip Port Authority (PPA) is targeting more than 170 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in FY2026–27, following record throughput of 156.45 MMT in FY2025–26. To achieve this, PPA is focusing on road upgrades, improved cargo-stacking areas, drainage, dredging, mechanisation and better traffic management. Discussions with the Paradip Port Stevedores Association also addressed worker welfare and coordination with private terminal operators. These measures aim to reduce operational bottlenecks, improve cargo-handling productivity and strengthen the port’s competitiveness as a major maritime gateway on India’s eastern coast.
Read More Here: Maritime Gateway
Mormugao Port Becomes India’s First Port to Secure a Private 5G Licence
Mormugao Port Authority in Goa has become India’s first port to secure a private 5G licence, marking a significant step towards digitalising port operations. The licence will enable the port to develop dedicated 5G connectivity for applications such as real-time cargo tracking, smart surveillance, equipment monitoring and automated operations. Private 5G networks can offer low latency, enhanced security and reliable connectivity across port facilities. The initiative is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, support technology-led modernisation and advance the adoption of smart-port infrastructure in India’s maritime sector.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Visakhapatnam Port Handles 50 Million Tonnes of Cargo in Record 196 Days
Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) handled 50 million tonnes of cargo in just 196 days of FY2026–27, achieving the milestone on 13 October 2026. This was 17 days earlier than in FY2025–26 and 28 days ahead of FY2024–25. The port recorded cargo throughput of 46.14 million tonnes between April and September 2026, representing approximately 7% year-on-year growth. Following a record 91.17 million tonnes in FY2025–26, VPA is targeting 100 million tonnes of annual cargo throughput in FY2026–27.
Read More Here: Maritime Gateway
Cochin Port Plans India’s First AI-Powered Immigration Corridor for Cruise Passengers
Cochin Port is being considered for India’s first AI-driven immigration corridor for international cruise passengers, designed to verify identities through facial recognition cameras as travellers walk through a dedicated passage. The initiative, being developed by the Bureau of Immigration and Indian Ports Association (IPA), aims to reduce queues and minimise counter-based passport and fingerprint checks. IPA is considering a tender to select technology partners and plans to fund the pilot internally. The project remains at the proposal stage, with commissioning dependent on procurement and implementation decisions.
Read More Here: Maritime Gateway
Roads & Highways
63.17-km Palma–Gumla Four-Lane Highway Opens in Jharkhand at ₹1,908 Crore
The 63.17-km Palma–Gumla four-lane highway in Jharkhand has opened to traffic under the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) infrastructure development programme. Built at an estimated cost of ₹1,908.43 crore, the NH-43 corridor is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion and improve freight movement between Jharkhand and neighbouring states. Safety features include crash barriers, improved junctions, road markings, signage and wildlife underpasses. The highway will also support connectivity along the proposed Raipur–Dhanbad Economic Corridor.
Read More Here: ET Infra
National Highway Project Awards Surge 62.9% to 2,236 km in H1 FY27
India awarded 2,236.3 km of National Highway projects between April and September 2026, marking a 62.9% year-on-year increase, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The rise signals a stronger pipeline of highway construction projects, supporting improved connectivity and logistics efficiency. Meanwhile, electronic toll collection transactions increased 24.1% to 225.2 crore, while toll collections rose 11.7% to ₹36,994.5 crore during the same period. The figures form part of MoSPI’s PAIMANA infrastructure performance dashboard update.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Pune Sets October 30 Deadline for HCMTR and Inner Ring Road Land Surveys
The Pune district administration has set October 30, 2026, as the deadline for completing land surveys for the High-Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) and the proposed Inner Ring Road. The exercise is intended to accelerate land acquisition and address a key hurdle in advancing the infrastructure projects. The surveys will help establish land requirements and support subsequent administrative procedures. The initiative aims to move the projects forward, improve Pune’s transport connectivity, and ease congestion by strengthening the city’s road and transit network.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Thane Coastal Road Phase 1 Reaches 45% Completion After Record Girder Installation
The Thane Coastal Road Phase 1 project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has reached 45% completion, following the installation of a record 10 girders in a single day. The project is designed to improve connectivity across Thane and reduce traffic congestion on key urban routes. Girder installation marks an important milestone in the elevated road’s construction, with continued progress on structural works expected to support the next stages of development. The corridor will strengthen regional mobility and improve road connectivity across the metropolitan area.
Read More Here: Swarajya
MMRDA Rejects Major Route Change for Thane Coastal Road Phase II
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has rejected a major proposed route change for Thane Coastal Road Phase II, maintaining its existing alignment. The decision follows discussions over the project’s route and environmental implications. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority has recommended the project to the Centre for further consideration. The development marks progress towards the next stage of approvals for the coastal corridor, which aims to improve connectivity across the Thane region and ease congestion on key roads.
Read More Here: Swarajya
Rail & Mobility
South Coast Railway Completes Automatic Signalling on Guntakal-Raichur Section
South Coast Railway has completed the installation of automatic signalling on the Guntakal–Raichur section, strengthening railway safety and operational efficiency along this important rail corridor. The upgrade enables trains to operate with closer headways by improving the monitoring and control of train movements. Automatic signalling can help increase line capacity, reduce delays and support smoother passenger and freight operations. The project forms part of Indian Railways’ broader modernisation programme to upgrade signalling infrastructure and improve the reliability and utilisation of existing railway networks.
Read More Here: ET Infra
Jhansi–Bina Third Railway Line Completed, Boosting Capacity Across 32 Stations
Indian Railways has completed the third railway line between Jhansi and Bina, strengthening capacity across a key section of the rail network. The project is expected to benefit 32 stations by improving train movement, reducing congestion and enabling smoother operations for both passenger and freight services. Additional track capacity will help accommodate rising traffic demand, minimise delays and improve operational flexibility. The development forms part of Indian Railways’ broader infrastructure expansion programme to strengthen connectivity and increase the efficiency of existing railway corridors.
Read More Here: Swarajya
Delhi–Mumbai Rail Corridor Gets 596 Track-Km Electrification Upgrade for 160 kmph Trains
Indian Railways has upgraded electrification infrastructure across 596 track kilometres in the Kota Division of West Central Railway to support faster trains, including Vande Bharat services, and growing traffic on the Delhi–Mumbai corridor. The latest upgrade adds a 128-track-km section between Salabad and Murhesi Rampur using a 2×25 kV traction power system. A fourth traction substation has also been commissioned at Bharatpur. The improvements aim to strengthen power supply, improve reliability, and support train operations at speeds of up to 160 kmph under Mission Raftaar.
Read More Here: Swarajya
Lucknow Metro Phase 1B: ₹326.80 Crore Tender Issued for Systems at Seven Underground Stations
Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has invited bids worth ₹326.80 crore, including GST, for electrical and mechanical systems at seven underground stations on Lucknow Metro’s East-West Corridor under Phase 1B. The contract covers tunnel ventilation, environmental control, power backup, and building management systems for the underground section between Charbagh and Chowk. The 11.165-km corridor will connect Charbagh with Vasant Kunj through 12 stations, comprising seven underground and five elevated stations. The tender specifies a completion period of 36 months from commencement of work.
Read More Here: Metro Rail News
Logistics & Freight
Indian Rail Logistics Firms Face Profit Pressure Despite 8–10% Annual Freight Growth Forecast
India’s rail logistics sector is expected to record 8–10% annual freight volume growth between FY27 and FY29, but rising competition and limited pricing power could constrain profitability, according to India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). Private container train operators are expanding fleets, while the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and additional terminals are expected to improve operating efficiency. Indian Railways carried 1,670 million tonnes of freight in FY26, with container traffic accounting for just 5.6%. Ind-Ra maintains a neutral sector outlook, highlighting asset utilisation, terminal connectivity, route economics and liquidity as key drivers of future performance.
Read More Here: Financial Express
Port of Montreal and Adani Group Renew Partnership to Strengthen India–Canada Maritime Trade
The Montreal Port Authority and Adani Group have renewed their collaboration agreement to strengthen trade and logistics connectivity between India and Canada. The partnership prioritises the Mundra–Montreal maritime corridor, sharing port technology and operational expertise, improving road and rail connectivity, and exploring opportunities in vehicle transportation. India ranked as the Port of Montreal’s second-largest trading partner in 2025, with approximately 1 million tonnes of goods exchanged-60% exports and 40% imports. The Port of Montreal has also appointed Prakash Tulsiani as its new agent in India to support business development and connect exporters, importers, and logistics stakeholders.
Read More Here: India Shipping News
Supertanker Freight Rates Ease from Record Highs Amid Middle East Shipping Disruptions
Global oil tanker freight rates have declined from record highs as demand softened following attacks on vessels in the Middle East and the US considered easing sanctions on certain shadow-fleet tankers. Rates for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) travelling from the Gulf of Oman to China fell to 776 on the Worldscale index, down from 841 the previous week. Despite the decline, rates remain elevated due to regional instability and increased ship-to-ship oil transfers near the Strait of Hormuz. Persistently high freight costs could increase energy prices and add inflationary pressure on businesses and consumers.
Read More Here: Reuters
AISATS Launches One-Day Warehousing Solution at Bengaluru’s BLR Logistics Park
Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has introduced a Short-Term Warehousing (STW) service at BLR Logistics Park near Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. The solution allows freight forwarders and shippers to rent storage for as little as one day, without committing to long-term leases. It supports both general and temperature-controlled cargo, including urgent shipments, seasonal demand, specialised consignments and pharmaceutical products. The eight-acre logistics park, which has reached 70% occupancy in its first year, also offers cargo shuttles, packing, labelling and forklift services to improve logistics flexibility and efficiency.
Read More Here: The Hindu
Energy & Resources
India’s Peak Power Demand Stays Above 250 GW, Raising Pressure on Coal Supply and Grid Reliability
India’s peak electricity demand remained above 250 GW on most days in September 2026, driven by cooling requirements and irrigation demand amid below-normal monsoon rainfall. Electricity consumption rose approximately 11% year-on-year during the month. Demand remained elevated into October, reaching 260 GW on October 5. Meanwhile, day-ahead electricity prices on the Indian Energy Exchange exceeded ₹7 per unit, while domestic coal stocks fell to 17.9 million tonnes as of October 15. 82 of India’s 190 coal-based power plants were reported to have critically low fuel stocks, highlighting the need for reliable energy supply and adequate generation capacity.
Read More Here: The Economic Times
ENGIE Plans €3 Billion Investment in India to Expand Renewable Energy Portfolio to 7 GW by 2030
French energy major ENGIE plans to invest approximately €3 billion in India by 2030, aiming to expand its renewable energy and storage portfolio from around 2 GW to 7 GW. The company intends to add approximately 1 GW of capacity annually, focusing on renewable energy projects, battery energy storage systems and opportunities linked to data centres. ENGIE is also exploring a treasury operation at GIFT City, Gujarat, to facilitate project financing. However, grid connectivity, land availability and solar-generation congestion remain key challenges as the company scales up its operations.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
KKR to Invest Over ₹6,000 Crore in PETRONAS’ Indian Renewable Energy Business
Global investment firm KKR plans to invest more than ₹6,000 crore in Gentari Renewable India, the renewable energy arm of Malaysia’s PETRONAS. The funding is expected to support the company’s expansion in renewable energy and green hydrogen, reduce debt, and help acquire stakes in existing Indian joint ventures. Gentari previously acquired a 1.6 GW renewable energy portfolio from Brookfield and is seeking capital to grow its operations. KKR’s proposed investment does not immediately provide it with an ownership stake, but may offer an option to acquire one in the future.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
India Bars Sugar Diversion for Ethanol Production, Invites Bids for 11 Billion Litres from Alternative Feedstocks
The Indian government has directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) to stop diverting sugarcane juice, sugar, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses for ethanol production during the 2026–27 ethanol supply year, running from November 2026 to October 2027. The move aims to protect domestic sugar availability amid expectations of lower production and rising prices. OMCs have invited bids for 1,100 crore litres (11 billion litres) of ethanol, with procurement shifting towards maize, surplus rice, damaged food grains and C-heavy molasses. The policy seeks to balance food security with India’s ethanol-blending programme.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld
India’s Peak Power Demand Stays Above 250 GW, Putting Pressure on Coal Stocks and Grid Reliability
India’s peak electricity demand exceeded 250 GW on most days in September 2026, driven by cooling and irrigation requirements amid below-normal monsoon rainfall. Power consumption increased by around 11% year-on-year, while peak demand reached 260 GW on October 5. Electricity prices in the Indian Energy Exchange’s day-ahead market remained above ₹7 per unit during October. Meanwhile, domestic coal stocks at power plants fell to 17.9 million tonnes by October 15, with 82 of 190 coal-based power plants reporting critically low inventories. The trend highlights the need for reliable fuel supplies and adequate generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand.
Read More Here: ET EnergyWorld