Latest news with #ConsultativeCommittee
Fibre2Fashion
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
India to operationalise 76 waterways by 2027, targets cargo surge
India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has announced plans to make 76 inland waterways operational by 2027 during a Consultative Committee meeting held in Mumbai. Cargo volumes through these routes are expected to increase by 156 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of fiscal 2026 (FY26). The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency under the ministry, presented a comprehensive review of major projects, future projections, and the roadmap ahead. India aims to make 76 inland waterways operational by 2027, with cargo volumes expected to rise by 156 MTPA by FY26. Key initiatives include the Jal Marg Vikas Project, Maritime India Vision 2030, and a ₹5,000 crore (~$586.27 million) Northeast development roadmap. Major terminals and corridors are being developed on NW-1, NW-2, NW-16, and NW-31 to boost economic activity and transport efficiency. 'Inland waterways are emerging as the watershed moment in India ' s logistics and transport ecosystem. We are witnessing a transformational shift with policy interventions like the National Waterways Act, 2016, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and supplemented by multiple programmes like Jal Marg Vikas Project, Arth Ganga, Jalvahak scheme, Jal Samriddhi scheme, Jalyan and Navic among others. Through Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,' Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said in a press release. 'These roadmaps are not just policy documents—they are catalysts driving India toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse. Today ' s meeting with esteemed Members of Parliament reflects a unified commitment to boost infrastructure and unlock the immense economic potential of our rivers and coasts. With enhanced budgetary support and cooperative federalism, we are building a greener, more efficient, and future-ready waterway network across the country,' added Sonowal. The Regional Waterways Grid is designed to enhance economic activity by enabling seamless vessel movement along a 4,067 km corridor connecting Varanasi to Dibrugarh, Karimganj, and Badarpur via the IBP route. A traffic study and detailed project report (DPR) for the renovation of the Jangipur navigation lock are currently underway. The corridor is projected to handle cargo volumes of 32.2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) by 2033. On National Waterway 1 (Ganga), a 1,390 km dedicated corridor is under development to facilitate smooth vessel movement and improve the efficiency of inland water transport. The capacity enhancement of NW-1 aims to support vessels of 1,500–2,000 DWT, alongside the establishment of key cargo terminals at Varanasi (MMT), Kalughat (IMT), Sahibganj (MMT), and Haldia (MMT). The Inland Waterways sector is also undertaking major infrastructure initiatives in the Northeast. A ₹5,000 crore (~$586.27 million) development roadmap has been laid out for the next five years. On NW-2 (Brahmaputra), four permanent terminals—Dhubri, Jogighopa, Pandu, and Bogibeel—and 13 floating terminals are being supported through fairway and navigation improvements. A ₹208 crore ship repair facility at Pandu and a ₹180 crore alternative road are slated for completion by 2026 and 2025, respectively. On NW-16 (Barak), the terminals at Karimganj and Badarpur are operational, while development of NW-31 (Dhansiri) is underway to support the expansion of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Hardeep Puri chairs consultative committee meeting on petroleum & natural gas
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in Haryana's Manesar on Friday, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said in a release. While chairing the Consultative Committee meeting, the Union Minister highlighted India's remarkable progress in energy affordability, access, and infrastructure development. He underscored the government's proactive measures in stabilising fuel prices, expanding LPG coverage, and boosting refining and distribution capacity across the country. Puri reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to inclusive and consumer-focused energy policies. During the meeting, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Suresh Gopi also attended and witnessed robust participation from 27 Members of Parliament. The MPs shared insightful suggestions and feedback on key issues, including fuel affordability, LPG access, regional infrastructure disparities, and energy resilience. The Minister Hardeep Singh Puri elaborated on how under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was able to successfully navigate geopolitical adversities to ensure affordability and availability of energy for citizens without any shortage. He noted that when fuel prices were skyrocketing worldwide, India was the only country where prices came down. Notably, the Government reduced excise duties twice--on 4 Nov 2021 and 22 May 2022--slashing petrol by Rs 13/litre and diesel by Rs 16/litre. A recent hike in April 2025 was absorbed by Oil Marketing Companies, protecting consumers from an additional burden. Highlighting LPG reforms, the Minister detailed the transformational impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Since its inception, LPG coverage has soared from 55 per cent in 2014 to nearly universal access today. LPG consumption rose significantly, with daily deliveries exceeding 56 lakh cylinders. Over 25,000 LPG distributors now operate across the country, 86 per cent in rural areas, ensuring deep last-mile reach. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri informed that LPG prices in India are among the lowest globally. Despite a steep 58 per cent increase in international LPG prices, PMUY consumers now pay only Rs 553 for a 14.2 kg cylinder. Oil companies incurred a loss of Rs 40,000 crore last year to keep LPG prices affordable. A cylinder costing approximately Rs 1,058 is being provided to PMUY beneficiaries at just Rs 553. For regular consumers, the price is Rs 853. As a result, the per-day cooking cost comes to around Rs 6.8 for PMUY households and Rs 14.7 for non-PMUY users. Union Minister Puri informed that LPG prices in India are among the lowest globally. Despite a steep 58% increase in international LPG prices, PMUY consumers now pay Rs 553 for a 14.2 kg cylinder--39% less than the Rs 903 they paid in July 2023. Oil companies have incurred Rs 40,000 crore loss last year in order to keep LPG prices low. Cylinder of approximately Rs 1058 cost is being sold at Rs 553 to Ujjwala consumers. For regular consumers, the price is Rs 853. The per-day cooking cost is now around Rs 6.8 for PMUY households and Rs 14.7 for non-PMUY users. (ANI)
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt aims 100-GW nuclear power by 2047
New Delhi: Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar said that the government has set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 in line with the 'Viksit Bharat' vision, which will significantly strengthen India's long-term energy security and contribute towards achieving clean energy goals. Addressing a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, the minister said that India currently operates 25 nuclear reactors across seven locations, with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW, contributing about 3 per cent of the country's electricity generation. Eight reactors with 6,600 MW capacity are under construction, and another 10 reactors with 7,000 MW capacity are in pre-project stages. During the discussion on the 'Roadmap for Development of Nuclear Power Generation', the Minister highlighted that India's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and emphasized that increasing the share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation is central to this vision. As the power sector contributes over 40 per cent of global energy-related emissions, nuclear energy, being a non-fossil and stable power source, will play an increasingly important role in India's sustainable development journey, he explained. The Minister elaborated that, apart from electricity generation, nuclear energy can also serve non-electric applications such as hydrogen production, desalination, process steam, and space heating, thus supporting India's broader energy transition goals. The Minister also outlined the key challenges and strategic steps required for scaling up nuclear energy, including amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable broader participation by private and state sectors.
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Uranium sources, land acquisition key to boosting nuclear energy: Minister
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Monday said that measures such as faster land acquisition and securing diversified uranium fuel sources are crucial in scaling up domestic nuclear energy capacity. He said broader participation from private and state sectors is needed to promote nuclear energy, Lal said while chairing a meeting of Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power. "(The) minister outlined the key challenges and strategic steps required for scaling up nuclear energy, including Amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable broader participation by private and state sectors and Strengthening public perception and enhancing awareness about nuclear energy's safety and benefits," the Power Ministry said in a statement. Besides, measures like introducing tax concessions, green power classification, and long-term financing to ensure competitive nuclear tariffs, and diversifying technology choices through competitive bidding and promoting indigenous manufacturing under Make in India are crucial nuclear energy, he said. Lal said securing diversified uranium fuel sources and expanding the vendor base for specialised nuclear equipment and building skilled manpower capacity by strengthening nuclear education and training infrastructure are also important. Facilitating faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing retired thermal sites and streamlining regulatory approval processes to reduce project timelines are also necessary for nuclear capacity addition, the minister said. A total of eight nuclear reactors having a capacity of 6,600 MW are in the underconstruction stage in the country, the statement said. Another 10 reactors with 7,000 MW capacity are in pre-project stages. India operates 25 nuclear reactors across seven locations, with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW, contributing about 3 per cent of the country's electricity generation, it said. The government targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 to strengthen India's long-term energy security. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Consultative Committee of PowerMin calls for greater push to nuclear power
The Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, which convened on Monday, called for a greater push to the development of nuclear power in the country. The committee, chaired by the union minister of power M L Khattar, emphasised that nuclear energy, being a non-fossil and stable power source, will play an increasingly important role in India's sustainable development journey. 'Apart from electricity generation, nuclear energy can also serve non-electric applications such as hydrogen production, desalination, process steam, and space heating, thus supporting India's broader energy transition goals,' Khattar said during the meeting. As part of the roadmap for nuclear energy, the minister highlighted the strategic steps which include amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, to enable broader participation by private and state sectors. Among other policy changes suggested by the committee were facilitating faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing retired thermal sites. Streamlining regulatory approval processes to reduce project timelines, introducing tax concessions, green power classification, and long-term financing to ensure competitive nuclear tariffs were other suggestions. The committee also called for diversifying technology choices through competitive bidding and promoting indigenous manufacturing under Make in India. Securing diversified uranium fuel sources, expanding the vendor base for specialised nuclear equipment, and building skilled manpower capacity by strengthening nuclear education and training infrastructure were also discussed. The committee also said there needs to be efforts towards building public perception and enhancing awareness about nuclear energy's safety and benefits. 'The Ministry of Power would work closely with the Department of Atomic Energy, state governments, industries, and other stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power projects and ensure a clean, secure, and sustainable energy future for India,' Khattar said in his statement.
