RVNL Bags Rs 143.3 Crore Order From South Central Railway To Upgrade Electric Traction System
Specifically, the scope of work includes converting the existing 1x25 kV traction system to a more advanced 2x25 kV system on the Salem Junction – Podanur Junction and Irugur – Coimbatore Junction – Podanur Junction sections. According to the filing, the upgrade will help Southern Railway enhance its capacity and meet the target of 3,000 metric tonnes of freight loading.
'The project will be executed over a period of 24 months and includes applicable taxes within the Rs 143.3 crore cost,' it added in its filing. This comes close on the heels of RVNL emerging as the lowest bidder for another railway project worth Rs 213.22 crore from South Central Railway, as reported on June 30.
Despite a relatively subdued performance in FY25 so far, the company has reaffirmed its revenue guidance of Rs 20,000–Rs 22,000 crore for the current financial year. RVNL's shares ended flat at Rs 391.2 apiece on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday.
The company continues to maintain strong momentum with its diversified project portfolio, including construction of new railway lines, doubling of tracks, electrification, metro projects, major and cable-stayed bridges, and institutional infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in a strategic push toward clean energy and sustainability, RVNL is also exploring partnerships in the nuclear energy space. In June, media reports stated that the company is in discussions with Russia's state-owned atomic energy company Rosatom to build Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for its ongoing mega infrastructure projects, such as the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line.
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Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
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These FPOs are now conducting business worth thousands of crores of rupees, contributing immensely to the growth of the agricultural sector. On the occasion of the release of the 19th instalment of PM-KISAN in Bhagalpur, Bihar, the Prime Minister launched the 10,000th FPO, a milestone marking a significant leap in Farmer Welfare and inclusive agricultural development. The 10,000th FPO was registered in Khagaria district and focuses on maize, banana, and paddy. The concept behind the Farmer Producer Organisations Farmers who are the producers of agricultural products can form groups. To facilitate this process, the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) was mandated by the department of agriculture and cooperation, ministry of agriculture, government of India, to support the state governments in the formation of FPOs. Objectives To provide a holistic and broad-based supportive ecosystem to form to facilitate the development of vibrant and sustainable income-oriented farming and overall socio-economic development and wellbeing of the agrarian communities. To enhance productivity through efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable resource use to realise higher returns through better liquidity and market linkages for their produce and become sustainable through collective action. To provide handholding and support to new FPOs up to five years from the year of their creation in all aspects of management of FPO, inputs, production, processing and value addition, market linkages, credit linkages, and use of technology etc. To provide effective capacity building to FPOs to develop agriculture entrepreneurship skills to become economically viable and self-sustaining beyond the period of support from the government. The Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) The FPOs are collectives formed by farmers to: Enhance productivity; Reduce costs, and; Improve market access through cooperation. The primary aim of an FPO is to enable farmers to benefit from the economies of scale, enhancing overall Farmer Welfare. The Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture plays a pivotal role in supporting the formation of the FPOs, which are registered under either: The Companies Act, or; The Co-operative Societies Act. Need for FPOs Small, marginal, and landless farmers face challenges during the agriculture production phase, such as: Access to technology; Quality seeds; Fertilisers and pesticides, and; Requisite finances. Challenges in marketing their produce due to a lack of economic strength. FPOs help in the collectivisation of such small, marginal, and landless farmers, giving them collective strength to deal with such issues. managing their activities together to get: Better access to technology; Inputs; Finance, and; Market for faster enhancement of their income. The way FPOs help Smallholder Farmers Achieving Economies of Scale FPOs help small and marginal farmers reduce input costs and secure better prices by aggregating purchases and sales. Enhanced Credit Access Access to institutional credit since long a barrier for smallholders, is improved through FPOs, aligning such support with ongoing government schemes for farmers aimed at financial inclusion. Accessing Global Markets FPOs enable smallholders to access international markets. Overcoming Shrinking Farm Sizes With average landholding size shrinking from 1.08 hectares in 2015–16 to just 0.74 hectares in 2021–22, FPOs help farmers aggregate resources and invest in modern equipment. 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Most FPOs begin with minimal capital contributed by farmer members who themselves have limited financial resources, creating a precarious situation where the organisation struggles to invest in necessary infrastructure, working capital, or growth opportunities. Farmer members often expect immediate benefits from their FPO membership but are reluctant to make significant financial contributions. Traditional financial institutions often view these organisations as high-risk borrowers due to their agricultural focus, limited collateral, and perceived management weaknesses. Many FPOs lack the market intelligence necessary to make informed decisions about what to produce, when to sell, and at what prices, putting them at a disadvantage competing with established suppliers or negotiating with buyers. Epilogue By fostering collectivisation, enhancing market access, and providing financial and institutional support, the initiative has empowered millions of small and marginal farmers, including women and economically weaker sections, boosting agricultural productivity and income, contributing to rural job creation and economic resilience. As FPOs continue to evolve, they promise a more equitable and resilient future for India's agricultural landscape, it is opined. Critics however state that it is critical to move beyond numbers. They opine a target-oriented approach may work in the initial phase. As such, although reaching the target of 10,000 FPOs ahead of the March 31, 2025 deadline is commendable, there is now a need to focus on better outcomes. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Economic Times
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- Economic Times
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News18
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- News18
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Q1 net profit plummets 66 pc to Rs 103 cr
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