logo
Tunnel Projects Worth Rs 3 Lakh Crore To Be Built In Next 10 Years: Nitin Gadkari

Tunnel Projects Worth Rs 3 Lakh Crore To Be Built In Next 10 Years: Nitin Gadkari

India.com24-06-2025
Pune: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the government has drawn up plans to build tunnel projects worth Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh crore over the next 10 years as part of the country's infrastructure development.
He said, "India is entering a golden era of infrastructure development, with tunnels playing a crucial role in connectivity, safety, and sustainability.' The minister highlighted that there was a need to reduce construction costs without compromising quality.
'That means using new technologies and sustainable fuels like CNG, ethanol, hydrogen, and electric alternatives to diesel. We should also refurbish old tunnelling machines, import used ones from European countries like Austria, Norway, and Spain, and eventually manufacture our own,' he explained.
He pointed out that India's geology varies by region, so research and training are essential. Industry experts and experienced engineers should guide students along with faculty.
'My ministry is ready to support with equipment and training. Together, with innovation, research, and commitment, we can make India self-reliant in tunnelling technology and infrastructure development,' Gadkari said.
In a bid to boost sustainable infrastructure development, Gadkari, on Tuesday, inaugurated the International Workshop on 'Sustainable Tunnelling for Better Life' at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Donald Trump plans to meet Putin, Zelenskyy as soon as next week, NYT reports
Donald Trump plans to meet Putin, Zelenskyy as soon as next week, NYT reports

The Hindu

time22 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Donald Trump plans to meet Putin, Zelenskyy as soon as next week, NYT reports

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, the New York Times reported on Wednesday (August 6, 2025), citing two people familiar with the plan. Mr. Trump then plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the newspaper reported, adding that the plans were disclosed in a call with European leaders on Wednesday. Dangerous turn: On Trump and the Ukraine war The White House did not immediately respond to the report but earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Trump acknowledged that he spoke with European leaders after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's "highly productive" meeting with Mr. Putin in Russia. While noting that "great progress" was made during the meeting, Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come." Mr. Trump, who promised to end Russia's war in Ukraine on "day one" during his presidential campaign, has held several phone calls with Putin and has met with Zelenskiy since returning to the White House in January. However, in recent weeks, he has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow over a lack of progress towards ending the three-year conflict.

Vadodara: Day after head of fire department, two other officers suspended over ‘scam', new appointees take charge
Vadodara: Day after head of fire department, two other officers suspended over ‘scam', new appointees take charge

Indian Express

time22 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Vadodara: Day after head of fire department, two other officers suspended over ‘scam', new appointees take charge

A day after Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu ordered the suspension of three officers, including Head of Department of Fire and Emergency Services Dr Devesh Patel, Chief Fire Officer Manoj Patil and Deputy Fire Officer Naitik Bhatt, the new officers appointed to the positions took charge on Wednesday. While Harendrasinh Chauhan has been appointed as the Chief Fire Officer, Amit Chaudhary has been given the charge of Deputy Fire Officer. The new appointments came a day after the suspensions of the three officials, including Dr Patel, who was also the Medical Officer, Health. The charge of the same has now been handed over to Dr Mukesh Vaidya. The suspensions came after an alleged scam in procurement of tools and items needed by the fire department came to light. Although the purchases were made by way of the government's e-marketplace portal and also passed through the Third Party Inspection (TPI) agency and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation's auditing department, besides the Standing Committee, officials said that the inflated prices 'went unnoticed'. An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that several items in the tender, including whistles, lighters and mosquito nets had been bought at a cost of over Rs 3,500 each, for which tenders had been invited in February and March this year. The total procurement amount was Rs 3.17 crore for 16 pieces each of pocket knives, gas lighters, whistles and other tools. 'While a departmental inquiry is underway to ascertain how the discrepancy was not raised by the TPI and the auditing committee, the VMC is already staring at an internal controversy with the new appointments as those fire officials, who were hopeful of getting the posts vacated by Patil and Bhatt, have already sounded a rebellion… The fact is that no one pointed out the inflated cost of the items listed in the procurement list,' the official said.

US Weighs Options for Penalizing Russia Beyond India Tariffs
US Weighs Options for Penalizing Russia Beyond India Tariffs

Mint

time22 minutes ago

  • Mint

US Weighs Options for Penalizing Russia Beyond India Tariffs

(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump's additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil could be just the first shot he aims at Moscow's energy revenues ahead of a Friday deadline, as the US weighs options to get President Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. In addition to punishing buyers of Russian energy with tariffs, the Trump administration is considering new sanctions on Moscow's covert fleet of oil tankers and several entities that enable them to operate, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke before the administration posted the executive order on India tariffs to social media. Earlier Wednesday, Putin concluded a three-hour meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin as Russia worked to avert the ongoing penalties. The Russian leader exchanged 'signals' with Trump on Ukraine at the meeting with the envoy, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, without elaborating. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there would be an announcement on Russia fairly soon — with more discussions happening throughout the day — after he was briefed by Witkoff on the phone following the Putin meeting, a CNN reporter said on X. West Texas Intermediate swung between gains and losses to trade near $65 a barrel after Rubio's reported comment. Oil fluctuated in choppy trading as traders await news on whether Trump will take further action to choke Russian energy flows. Trump spoke with Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, according to a report by Axios. The outlet also said the US still expected to implement secondary sanctions on Friday despite the Witkoff-Putin conversation going well, citing a White House official. The Russian vessels have become instrumental to its ability to move its oil despite US and European sanctions. 'The shadow tanker fleet is the backbone of Russia's sanctions evasion and war financing,' Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, said on the X platform. The Financial Times first reported the potential measures on Russia's shadow fleet. The people said the Trump administration is considering a range of options to restrict Putin's energy revenues. Other possibilities could include measures targeting oil companies and actions to better enforce existing restrictions. --With assistance from Catherine Lucey and Gregory White. (Updates with Rubio comment, other details in fourth through sixth paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store