Latest news with #Bharatmala
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
EAC clears CRRR stretch through Kapilash sanctuary, conservationists raise alarm
BHUBANESWAR: The expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved the proposed six-lane Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR)'s Gobindpur-Tangi stretch with at least 1 km passing through the core zone of Kapilash wildlife sanctuary, raising concern among conservationists. Kapilash is a major elephant habitat and at the same time, a flash-point for man-animal conflict. Sources said the EAC in its meeting held on May 14 and 15 recommended the grant of environmental clearance for 'construction of the Gobindpur-Tangi stretch' of the 111 km CRRR to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala scheme. The project seeks to link Rameswar in Khurda to Tangi under Cuttack district. The stretch from Gobindpur village in Dhenkanal to Bandalo toll plaza near Tangi in Cuttack under CRRR will have a total length of about 40.33 km. However, at least 1 km of the alignment of the road project will pass through Kapilash wildlife sanctuary in Dhenkanal. The proposed alignment will also pass through 45 waterbodies including five canals, nine ponds and 31 nullahs. The Gobindpur-Tangi stretch of the road will require about 4,180 hectare area for implementation of which approximately 146.90 hectare will be forest area, while 97.95 hectares will be water body and 625.26 hectare have tree cover (all under tree). Diversion of around 39 hectare forest land will also be required. The EAC, sources said, has asked the NHAI to follow the recommendation of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), based on the study of the consultancy agency CEMC Bhubaneswar, that suggests construction of two elephant underpasses, one of about 1.65 km length and the other of 850 metre length with a minimum height of about 10 metre from the ground level, for easy movement of the jumbos. It has also proposed 56 culverts for movement of smaller animals in the project stretch which has remained one of the hotspots of human-wildlife conflict in the state.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJD slams cancellation of coastal highway tender; calls it double betrayal by Centre
BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to the cancellation of the tender for state's coastal highway project by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), describing it as a 'double betrayal by the double-engine government'. BJD vice-president and former minister Sanjay Das Burma told a media conference here that the development has thrown the long-delayed project into uncertainty yet again. He said under the Centre's Bharatmala project, 413 km-long coastal highway was planned and formally announced by Union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at Pipili on July 9, 2015. It was proposed that the route from Ratanpur to Chandanpur would be declared a national highway and connected with the proposed coastal highway. The proposed length of the coastal highway was later changed to 346 km. Das Burma said initially it was decided that the highway would be of four-lane and tenders were invited accordingly. But now, after re-evaluation, there are indications that it may be downgraded to a two-lane road, which is completely unacceptable, he said. He urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to immediately discuss the matter with the Centre and ensure that the project is executed as originally planned.
India Gazette
17-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Brazil: Union Minister Manohar Lal to participate in BRICS Energy Ministers meeting
New Delhi [India], May 17 (ANI): Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, has embarked on an official visit to Brazil to attend the BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting scheduled for May 19, according to a statement by the Ministry of Power on Saturday. As per the statement, the theme is 'Empowering Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance,' under which the Minister will engage in discussions with Energy Ministers of BRICS nations on crucial issues such as energy security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. Ministry of Power noted that India, in this meeting, will showcase its achievements over the past decade, including a 90 per cent increase in power capacity, leadership in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and biofuels, as well as innovations and sustainable development in the energy sector. The country will also reaffirm its commitment to ensuring equitable access to energy and accelerating the energy transition. Notably, this visit underscores India's determination to actively collaborate with BRICS nations in building a robust, future-oriented, and sustainable energy sector. Earlier on Wednesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia, Brazil, articulating India's commitment to building a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport infrastructure. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways also shared a video on X and wrote, 'Represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia -- driving the vision for a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport ecosystem.' Emphasising India's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gadkari highlighted flagship initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala--programmes that reflect India's commitment to creating an integrated and future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and strengthens regional connectivity. Sharing a post on X, Gadkari wrote, 'Honoured to represent India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia, where India's vision for sustainable, resilient, and multimodal transport infrastructure was shared with global partners. The discussion highlighted key transformative initiatives spearheaded under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, including PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala.' The post added, 'These flagship programmes reflect India's commitment to building an integrated, future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and regional connectivity.' (ANI)
India Gazette
17-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari interacts with Indian diaspora in Brazil
Sao Paulo [Brazil], May 17 (ANI): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, engaged with the vibrant Indian diaspora community in Sao Paulo, Brazil, highlighting India's growing stature on the global stage, marked by robust economic growth, rapid infrastructure development, and strengthening international partnerships, according to a statement shared from Nitin Gadkari Office. During the interaction, he emphasised the vast investment and innovation opportunities in India, particularly in biofuels, green hydrogen, clean energy, and flex-fuel mobility. He lauded the community's deep-rooted cultural values and their vital role in advancing India-Brazil ties through innovation, agri-business, energy, and digital collaboration. Calling India a 'land of opportunities,' Gadkari invited the global Indian Diaspora to explore, invest, and partner in building a sustainable and prosperous future. The details of his interaction were also shared on X. Earlier on Wednesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia, Brazil, articulating India's commitment to building a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport infrastructure. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways also shared a video on X and wrote, 'Represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia -- driving the vision for a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport ecosystem.' Emphasising India's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gadkari highlighted flagship initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala--programmes that reflect India's commitment to creating an integrated and future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and strengthens regional connectivity. Sharing a post on X, Gadkari wrote, 'Honoured to represent India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia, where India's vision for sustainable, resilient, and multimodal transport infrastructure was shared with global partners. The discussion highlighted key transformative initiatives spearheaded under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, including PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala.' The post added, 'These flagship programmes reflect India's commitment to building an integrated, future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and regional connectivity.' (ANI)
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Nitin Gadkari represents India at BRICS meet, highlights PM Modi govt's flagship transport initiatives
Brasilia [Brazil], May 15 (ANI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia, Brazil, articulating India's commitment to building a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport infrastructure. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways also shared a video on X and wrote, 'Represented India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meet in Brasilia -- driving the vision for a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready transport ecosystem.' Emphasising India's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gadkari highlighted flagship initiatives such as PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala--programmes that reflect India's commitment to creating an integrated and future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and strengthens regional connectivity. Sharing a post on X, Gadkari wrote, 'Honoured to represent India at the BRICS Transport Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia, where India's vision for sustainable, resilient, and multimodal transport infrastructure was shared with global partners. The discussion highlighted key transformative initiatives spearheaded under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, including PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, and Sagarmala.' The post added, 'These flagship programmes reflect India's commitment to building an integrated, future-ready transport ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and regional connectivity.' The leaders of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries met for the first time in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in July 2006. Shortly afterwards, in September 2006, the group was formalised as BRIC during the 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which met on the sidelines of the General Debate of the UN Assembly in New York City. After a series of high-level meetings, the 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 16, 2009, according to the official website. The BRIC group was renamed as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) after South Africa was accepted as a full member at the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in September 2010. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China on 14 April 2011. BRICS is an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising 41% of the world population, having 24% of the world GDP and over 16% share in the world trade. BRICS countries have been the main engines of global economic growth over the years. Over a period of time, BRICS countries have come together to deliberate on important issues under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. (ANI)
