Rs 1 trn Urban Challenge Fund to Boost Infrastructure

01 Feb 2025 CW Team

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Indian government will establish a Rs 1 trillion Urban Challenge Fund to enhance urban infrastructure. The fund aims to support cities as centres of economic growth by financing up to 25 per cent of bankable projects, with a focus on creative city redevelopment, water, and sanitation initiatives.

The Urban Challenge Fund will finance up to 25 per cent of eligible projects, with the remaining 75 per cent to be raised through bonds, bank loans, or public-private partnerships (PPPs). The government has allocated Rs 100 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26 to kickstart this initiative. This move, part of the government鈥檚 broader vision outlined in the July budget, is designed to transform cities into growth hubs and address essential urban development needs.

Infrastructure Transport

16 Jun 2025

Lack of Bidders Stalls VOC Port鈥檚 Rs 70.56 Bn Harbour Project Again

The VOC Port Authority鈥檚 Rs 70.56 billion outer harbour project has once again faced a setback, with the latest tender process cancelled due to the absence of qualified bidders. This marks the second failed attempt to secure participation for the mega infrastructure initiative.The tender has reportedly been withdrawn from the active list of bids, and the authority is now expected to re-evaluate and possibly restructure the project to enhance its appeal to potential developers.The port authority had initially floated the Request for Proposal (RFP) in December 2024, following the cancellation ..

Infrastructure Transport

16 Jun 2025

Sea Lord Containers Opens Cryogenic LPG Terminal in Mangalore

Sea Lord Containers (SCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aegis Logistics, has commissioned a new cryogenic Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal in Mangalore. The facility, which became operational on 12 June 2025, offers a static storage capacity of 82,000 metric tons (MT), significantly strengthening the region鈥檚 LPG logistics infrastructure.The terminal was developed by SCL on behalf of Aegis Vopak Terminals, an associate company of Aegis Logistics. The asset is expected to be transferred to Aegis Vopak Terminals Limited at a later date, with formal updates to be shared separately with st..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jun 2025

Cochin Port and Oil India Partner for Offshore Exploration Support

The Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil India (OIL) to establish a shore base facility supporting offshore oil exploration in the Kerala-Konkan Basin. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held at CoPA, Willingdon Island, on 12 June 2025, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.Under the partnership, Cochin Port will provide critical logistics infrastructure for OIL鈥檚 offshore drilling operations, expected to begin later in 2025. The planned shore base will include a dedicated warehouse, dry bulk handling plant, and an..