Latest news with #GoldenQuadrilateral
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's maritime sector to mirror post-1991 road revolution: DCIL CEO
DCIL CEO Durgesh Kumar Dubey Just as roads transformed post-1991, the next 20 years will belong to India's maritime sector, with dredging playing a critical role, said Durgesh Kumar Dubey , deputy chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Authority and managing director and CEO of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL). The Dredging India Conclave 2025, hosted by FICCI, convened leading voices from the maritime and infrastructure ecosystem to discuss the future of dredging and its role in realising India's maritime potential. Speaking at the event, Dubey traced India's infrastructure evolution from post-liberalisation reforms to today's ambitious maritime initiatives. Reflecting on his personal experiences in Indian Railways and national infrastructure growth, he explained how early initiatives like the Golden Quadrilateral and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana laid the groundwork for today's robust logistics and connectivity framework. 'This small program by FICCI is a step forward for a big leap in the maritime sector,' he said. Dubey also highlighted transformative initiatives such as the dedicated freight corridor and the recently announced Rs 25,000 crore maritime development Fund , along with the creation of Sagar Mala Development Corporation Ltd. (now an NBFC), as key enablers of growth in the sector. He cited Visakhapatnam Port as a case study of port-led industrialisation, where strategic port infrastructure catalysed industrial growth attracting major companies like HPCL, RINL, and AMNS. 'Ports like Visakhapatnam have enabled the creation of industrial hubs supported by seamless road, rail, and air connectivity; this is the power of port-led growth,' Dubey said. Highlighting the dual nature of the dredging sector—capital dredging at major ports and smaller maintenance dredging—he said that both are vital for national development. As the head of DCIL, Dubey reaffirmed the company's commitment to expanding its dredger fleet, including the upcoming TSHD Godavari (12,000 m³), and looking beyond India into high-demand regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 'There is a massive demand for dredging capacity, not only from new ports like Vizhinjam in Kerala or Galathea Bay in Nicobar but also from industries building their own captive ports across India,' he added. Dubey drew attention to the untapped potential of inland dredging, especially for reservoirs and canals suffering from siltation, which reduces water holding and flood management capacities. With aging dams across the country, he urged fleet manufacturers and contractors to focus on developing smaller suction and cutter dredgers tailored for inland water bodies. 'This sector is growing fast. With the government's focus on inland silt management, there's recurring demand that can't be ignored. Waterways are the most cost-effective and eco-friendly means of transport and maintaining them is both a business opportunity and a national imperative,' he said. Dubey also mentioned upcoming government meetings with key ministries to align efforts on this front, indicating a coordinated push towards waterway and reservoir dredging. He also made an open call for partnerships and investments in India's dredging sector. He spoke about the need for capable contractors, innovative technologies, and aligned private-public collaboration to achieve national maritime goals. 'DCI is ready to lead, but we need partners—investors, contractors, manufacturers—because without last-mile connectivity and execution support, our collective efforts may fall short,' he concluded. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
3 suspected Naga militants killed in Assam
SILCHAR: Three suspected NSCN militants were killed in a gunfight with Assam police in the state's Dima Hasao district on Tuesday, following a 60-hour joint operation with Assam Rifles. Security forces launched the operation Saturday after receiving intelligence that armed Naga militants who had served extortion notices to NHAI-run Golden Quadrilateral projects were hiding in a forested area near district headquarters Haflong. "They were neutralised when they came face-to-face and engaged in a gunfight with the security forces Tuesday morning," a police officer said. "A search led to the discovery of three bodies with two AK-series rifles and one pistol." Authorities did not specify which of the two NSCN factions the slain men were affiliated with. Both NSCN factions have a ceasefire agreement with Nagaland govt, but often engage in extortion, abduction, and violence in neighbouring Assam's Dima Hasao.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
3 NSCN cadres killed in Dima Hasao encounter
Silchar: Three suspected NSCN cadres were killed in an encounter with Assam Police in Assam's Dima Hasao district on Tuesday. The authorities also seized weapons and ammunition from the deceased individuals. "Based on information that some armed cadres, who had given an extortion letter to NHAI-run national projects (Golden Quadrilateral) in Dima Hasao District were hiding in Hera Kilo-Nriachibunglow-N Kubin-Borochanam-P Kubin-Michidui-Doering-Chaikam under Haflong police station, a search operation was launched by Assam Police special units and Assam Rifles on Saturday. After 60 hours of operation, the cadres were neutralised when they came face-to-face and engaged in an encounter with the security forces on Tuesday morning," an official said. "The armed miscreants fired on govt forces, which were retaliated against, and there was a heavy exchange of fire. A search led to the discovery of three dead bodies with two AK series rifles and one pistol. The deceased are suspected to belong to some faction of NSCN," an official statement said. Despite having a ceasefire agreement with the government in Nagaland, Naga militants have continued their involvement in extortion, abduction, and violent activities in the adjacent Dima Hasao district of Assam over several years.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Three suspected NSCN cadres killed in Assam encounter after 60-hour search operation
GUWAHATI: At least three suspected cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), who entered Assam allegedly to demand extortion money from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), were killed in an encounter with security forces in Dima Hasao district on Tuesday, officers said. A cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession by the special units of the state police and Assam Rifles who conducted a search for the militants for around 60 hours. Senior officers of Assam Police headquarters told PTI that the encounter took place at a place between N Kubin and Herakilo under Haflong police station limits after the NSCN cadres came from Nagaland. "Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the militants, a joint team of Assam Police and central forces launched an operation in the area. Once face-to-face, a heavy exchange of fire between the security team and militants ensued," a top officer said. In the gunfight, which lasted for 3-4 hours, three militants were killed on the spot, he added. "We have recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pistol and a cache of ammunition from the spot," another senior officer said. He said the area is slightly interior and further details are awaited. "We have initiated an investigation and launched a manhunt to nab their accomplices," the officer said. Issuing a press release later, Assam Police Chief Public Relations Officer said a faction of NSCN had given an extortion letter to the NHAI, which was implementing the Golden Quadrilateral project in Dima Hasao. Based on a tip-off, a search operation was launched by Assam Police Special Units and Assam Rifles in the evening of Saturday, he added. After almost 60 hours of searching, the security team came across the armed group, which fired on the government forces, the CPRO said. The security team, comprising three companies, also retaliated against the attack and there was a heavy exchange of fire, which lasted for several hours. "Search of the area led to the discovery of three bodies. The deceased are suspected to belong to some faction of NSCN," the release said. Another official said there was a possibility of the presence of more militants considering the prolonged encounter and heavy firing from their side. "The search operation is still on and we will be able to tell details later," he added. An official of the civil administration told PTI that local people are unhappy about the fact that NSCN militants came to Assam to extort money while its prime operational area is Nagaland. "Dima Hasao is a peaceful district and nobody wants any sort of disturbance or bloodbath here," he said on condition of anonymity.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Three NSCN cadres killed in Assam encounter after 60-hour search operation
Guwahati, At least three suspected NSCN cadres, who entered Assam allegedly to demand extortion money from the National Highway Authority of India , were killed in an encounter with security forces in Dima Hasao district on Tuesday, officers said. A cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession by the special units of the state police and Assam Rifles who conducted a search for the militants for around 60 hours. Senior officers of Assam Police headquarters told PTI that the encounter took place at a place between N Kubin and Herakilo under Haflong police station limits after the NSCN cadres came from Nagaland. "Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the militants, a joint team of Assam Police and central forces launched an operation in the area. Once face-to-face, a heavy exchange of fire between the security team and militants ensued," a top officer said. In the gunfight, which lasted for 3-4 hours, three militants were killed on the spot, he added. "We have recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pistol and a cache of ammunition from the spot," another senior officer said. He said the area is slightly interior and further details are awaited. "We have initiated an investigation and launched a manhunt to nab their accomplices," the officer said. Issuing a press release later, Assam Police Chief Public Relations Officer said a faction of NSCN had given an extortion letter to the NHAI, which was implementing the Golden Quadrilateral project in Dima Hasao. Based on a tip-off, a search operation was launched by Assam Police Special Units and Assam Rifles in the evening of Saturday, he added. After almost 60 hours of searching, the security team came across the armed group, which fired on the government forces, the CPRO said. The security team, comprising three companies, also retaliated against the attack and there was a heavy exchange of fire, which lasted for several hours. "Search of the area led to the discovery of three bodies. The deceased are suspected to belong to some faction of NSCN," the release said. Another official said there was a possibility of the presence of more militants considering the prolonged encounter and heavy firing from their side. "The search operation is still on and we will be able to tell details later," he added. An official of the civil administration told PTI that local people are unhappy about the fact that NSCN militants came to Assam to extort money while its prime operational area is Nagaland. "Dima Hasao is a peaceful district and nobody wants any sort of disturbance or bloodbath here," he said on condition of anonymity.
