Latest news with #HarshSanghvi
India.com
6 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train BIG Update, 160 Km of track bed completed in Gujarat, operations likely to begin by…, top speed to be…
New Delhi: The Indian Railways has made a significant progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with the start of track slab installation and Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM) filling on viaducts at multiple locations in Gujarat. As per the NHSRCL, the implementing agency for the high-speed rail corridor, around 160 km of track bed construction has been completed in the state. It is important to note that over 39,500 precast track slabs have been cast—covering nearly 197 track km in total. A key milestone in the track installation phase has been the Flash Butt Welding (FBW) of 25-metre-long, 60 kg rails into 200-metre panels at various Track Construction Bases (TCBs). Currently, there are four Flash Butt Welding Machines which are operational, and more than 1,543 such panels—translating to over 154 track km—have been welded so far. NHSRCL has said that the track installation process is mechanised with cutting edge machinery designed and manufactured in India Notably, the entire track laying process is being carried out using high-end, indigenous machinery under the 'Make in India' initiative. Here are some of the key details: Rail Feeder Cars (RFC) carry 200-metre rail panels and lay temporary tracks on the reinforced concrete (RC) beds. The RFCs were earlier operated in Surat and Anand. The RFC helped lay nearly 78 track km of temporary tracks. Track Slab Laying Cars (SLC) was Deployed in Bilimora and Vadodara. These machines have the capacity to transport and place up to five precast slabs at a time onto the viaduct. CAM Injection Cars, stationed in Bilimora and Vadodara, mix and inject CAM under the slabs to maintain the precise alignment and elevation of the tracks. India's first high-speed bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad is rapidly transforming from blueprint to reality, with trial runs scheduled on the Sabarmati–Vapi stretch by 2028 and full operations across the 508-km corridor expected by 2030. Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project: All You Need To Know The Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor spans 348 kilometres in Gujarat and 156 kilometres in Maharashtra The officials have strategically placed stations in key growth centres including Mumbai, Thane, Boisar, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad. Among these, Surat is set to host India's first operational bullet train station, which is now nearing completion. Union Minister Harsh Sanghvi recently confirmed that the station is on track to begin trial runs next year, with full-scale operations expected by 2029. Designed with Japanese assistance, the bullet train system incorporates noise-reducing infrastructure—over three lakh sound barriers have already been installed. Thematic stations are being designed to integrate seamlessly with local road and rail systems, strengthening regional connectivity and providing future-ready transport nodes.
India.com
26-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bullet Train MASSIVE Update: First train likely to run in Gujarat by…, reach Mumbai by..., top speed to be…
Image for representational purposes New Delhi: In a massive development that promises to boost India's connectivity, the much-anticipated bullet train likely to run in Gujarat between Sabarmati and Vapi by 2028, according to a CNN-News18 report. The report further adds that the full 508-km section from Ahmedabad to Mumbai could run by 2030. The National High Speed Rail Authority (NHSRCL) is earmarking a ridership survey to determine the fare and traffic projections for this bullet train. As per the document accessed by CNN-News18, the the ridership assessment has been sought for 2028 for the Sabarmati-Vapi section in Gujarat and for the base year 2030, 'the first year of operation' for the entire section between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The under-construction Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor would be passing through Mumbai-Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Thane, Virar, and Boisar in Maharashtra and Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati in Gujarat—a total of about 508 km. The Gujarat section of the high-speed train route between Vapi and Sabarmati is about 348 km, while the train route in Maharashtra is 156 km. Earlier, Union Minister Harsh Sanghvi informed that India's ambitious bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is well and truly on track as the country's first station in Gujarat's Surat is almost ready. The minister said that trial runs will begin next year while full operations could begin in 2029. 'India's first bullet train station in Surat is almost ready. Trial runs will begin next year, and full service is expected by 2029,' the Minister of State for Home, Industries, Transport, Youth and Sports announced on Twitter. He also shared the latest pictures of the Surat station along with those of various sections of the tracks currently under construction. It is important to note that his post came just days after the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) informed that 300 km of viaducts, the elevated sections that will carry the high-speed line, were completed with the launch of a 40-metre-long girder near Gujarat's diamond city. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a big push for the 508-km-long corridor. 'This is a first for Indian infrastructure, reflecting India's growing capabilities in high-speed rail technology with the support of the Japanese government,' Vaishnaw said. Out of the total 300 km of the superstructure, 257.4 km has been constructed using the Full Span Launching Method (FSLM), which includes 14 river bridges. Additionally, 37.8 km has been built using the Span by Span (SBS) method, along with 0.9 km of steel bridges, 1.2 km of PSC bridges, and 2.7 km within station buildings, according to the NHSRCL.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Support package for diamond industry announced
Surat: A couple of months after various district level diamond associations in the state put their demands to chief minister Bhupendra Patel, the state govt announced a support package for unemployed diamond artisans and diamond units affected by the global slowdown. The govt announced support towards school fees, loan interest and electricity duty. Some 12 lakh workers are employed by the diamond industry in Surat and other parts of the state. The industry has been in crisis for three years as demand and prices of natural diamonds have fallen significantly. Due to war and conflicts between countries and a slowdown in major economies such as the US and China, there has been a sharp drop in demand. Under the support package, 100% of the school fees of jobless diamond artisans will be paid for each child, up to a maximum of Rs 13,500 per child per year. This assistance will be paid to schools through the direct benefits transfer (DBT) system, according to the guidelines of the education department. "To ensure that children of jobless diamond artisans do not face difficulties in their education and are not deprived of learning, assistance for school fees is being provided. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Similarly, for affected smaller diamond units, the govt is announcing support," said Harsh Sanghvi, minister of state for home and industries. Diamond artisans who lost their jobs after March 31, 2024, will be eligible. Additionally, the artisan must be over 21 years of age, have worked for at least three years in a diamond industry unit, and currently be unemployed. They should submit an application to the district industries centre (DIC) within two months from the date of the package announcement. The application must include a certificate from either the district labour officer, employment officer, or a recommendation letter from the Surat Diamond Association, as well as a certificate from the child's school regarding the school fees. Similarly, while announcing assistance for diamond units, Sanghvi added that special support has been determined to ensure the stability of these units. Under this, an interest subsidy will be provided on term loans up to a maximum capital of Rs 5 lakh at the rate of 9% for three years (from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028). Additionally, the units will be exempted from electricity duty for one year starting from July 1, 2025. Units wishing to avail of the assistance must apply to the DIC within one month from the date of the announcement, submitting proof such as Udyam Registration, loan sanction letter, GST registration, turnover details of the last three financial years, and electricity consumption records. "The package was announced considering various factors and will benefit those who need support. The relief will be provided based on applications by the affected persons," said Sanghvi. In March, a delegation of leaders of various district diamond associations met chief minister Bhupendra Patel and made a representation about the critical condition of the industry and diamond artisans. "At the time of representation, CM Patel assured us relief, and we are happy that the govt has announced a package. The govt is considering providing Rs 4 lakh assistance to the families of the 62 diamond artisans who ended their lives after verification," said Dinesh Navadiya, co-ordinator of All Gujarat Diamond Associations (AGDA). Navadiya added that the govt should consider support for diamond artisans whose salary has been reduced by over 30%.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Gujarat govt announces relief package for recession-hit diamond industry
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government led by chief minister Bhupendra Patel has introduced a relief package to support diamond artisans and micro-units facing global market challenges and reeling under recession. Minister of state for industries, Harsh Sanghvi, announced the initiative to ease financial strain and stabilise the state's diamond section, especially Surat's diamond trade hub. The decision comes after the government formed a high-level committee in March to look into the industry's issues and there was a strike in late March, led by the Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG), that prompted further discussions between government and industry representatives. The package will largely benefit the Surat industry where 85% of the world's roughs are processed and employs over 8 lakh diamond artisans. In addition to Surat, diamond manufacturing units are also located in parts of Saurashtra, including cities like Rajkot and Bhavnagar. Global disruptions, including supply chain issues, declining demand, and U.S. sanctions on polished diamonds made from Russian rough stones (33% of Surat's supply), have battered the industry, causing factory slowdowns and job losses. The Russia-Ukraine war deepened the crisis, driving a steep decline in India's diamond exports. DWUG, citing over 60 artisan suicides in the past year and over 50,000 job losses in the last three years due to financial distress, demanded higher wages, industry price support, a welfare board, and aid for education, and unemployed workers from the ruling BJP government. In a December video message, Govindbhai Dholakia, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of Shree Ram Krishna Exports with six decades in the diamond industry, called this the longest recession he has seen. He urged patience and expressed hope for a soon recovery. Surat MLA Mukesh Dalal, from the ruling BJP, raised the diamond industry's crisis in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour in March, urging government's intervention to support struggling workers and industries. The Gujarat government's package announced on May 24 offers targeted measures. Artisans unemployed from March 31, 2024, can have their children's school fees covered for one year, up to Rs. 13,500 per child, paid directly to schools via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as per Education Department protocols. Eligible artisans must be over 21, have three years of diamond industry experience, and be currently unemployed. They must apply within two months of the announcement at District Industries Centres with a certificate from the District Labour or Employment Officer, a Diamond Association recommendation, or a school fee certificate. For micro-units, the package provides financial support to sustain operations. Units can access interest subsidies on term loans up to Rs. 5 lakh at 9% for three years, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, and a one-year electricity duty exemption starting July 1, 2025. Eligible units must have a capital investment in plant and machinery up to Rs. 2.5 crore, three years of diamond industry involvement (2022-25), a 25% or greater reduction in electricity use compared to 2023-24, and Udyam registration before March 31, 2025. District-level committees, led by the District Collector and including officials from labour, employment, education, banking, and diamond associations, will review applications, meeting at least twice monthly. The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) data shows that India's cut and polished diamond exports have recorded a continuous decline over the past three financial years. In 2022–23, exports were valued at USD 22.05 billion, down by 9.78% as compared to the previous year. The fall worsened to 27.58% in FY 2023–24, with exports dropping to USD 15.97 billion, and further dropped by 16.75% in 2024–25, reaching USD 13.29 billion, amid weakening global demand and inventory pile-up in key markets, as per GJEPC data. Meanwhile, the country's total gems and jewellery exports stood at USD 37.65 billion in 2022–23, which declined by 14.95% to USD 32.02 billion in 2023–24. In 2024–25, exports decreased once again, falling by 11.19% to USD 28.67 billion (USD 28,671.06 million), according to GJEPC's latest figures.
India Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
India's first bullet train station in Surat ready, trials next year: Government
India's ambitious bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is well and truly on track as the country's first station in Gujarat's Surat is almost ready, Union Minister Harsh Sanghvi announced on Saturday. The minister said that trial runs will begin next year while full operations could begin in 2029."India's first bullet train station in Surat is almost ready. Trial runs will begin next year, and full service is expected by 2029," the Minister of State for Home, Industries, Transport, Youth and Sports announced on Twitter. He also shared the latest pictures of the Surat station along with those of various sections of the tracks currently under His post came just days after the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said that 300 km of viaducts, the elevated sections that will carry the high-speed line, were completed with the launch of a 40-metre-long girder near Gujarat's diamond city. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a big push for the 508-km-long corridor. "This is a first for Indian infrastructure, reflecting India's growing capabilities in high-speed rail technology with the support of the Japanese government," Vaishnaw the 300 km of the superstructure, 257.4 km is constructed through the Full Span Launching Method (FSLM), with 14 river bridges, and 37.8 km is built through Span by Span (SBS), 0.9 km of steel bridges, 1.2 km PSC bridges and 2.7 km in station building, the NHSRCL said. advertisement Apart from the viaducts, the work for around 383 km of pier work, 401 km of foundation and 326 km of girder casting has been finished for the bullet train project. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor project is going to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.08 lakh crore. As the shareholding pattern goes, the government will pay Rs 10,000 crore to the NHSRCL, while Rs 5,000 crore each is to be paid by Gujarat and Maharashtra, the two states involved in the project.(With inputs from PTI.)Trending Reel
