Tweet: Geothermal makes official entry into Renewables portfolio. MNRE releases a ‘draft geothermal energy devpt framework.’ Targets 10,000MW.
Quest for new energy sources heats up Use of geothermal energy—or heat stored in the Earth’s crust—for generating electricity is next on the agenda for the ministry of new and renewable energy.
India plans to reach the target of 10,000MW through active collaborations with the US, the Philippines, Mexico and New ZTweet: Whilst refraining from Corporatizing ports, move now to have a new Central Port Authorities Act which will allow ports to lease out land.ealand.Empowering port authorities
In order to empower port authorities and professionalise their operations, the shipping ministry has prepared a draft Bill aimed at replacing the existing Major Port Trust Act.
The composition of the board has been simplified and will comprise nine members instead of 17-19 under the existing model.
Tweet: Another PuPuP (Public Public Partnership) ~ R150 cr rly wagon mfg unit in Kulti, Bengal as JV between SAIL & RITES. Commencing prodn soon.
On the right track Railway minister Suresh Prabhu is keen to enhance Indian Railways’ share of investment in West Bengal.
The railway wagons manufacturing plant in Kulti, West Bengal, is said to have bagged an order for 500 coaches.
Tweet: Next round of Solar bids likely to insist on Storage as essential component. Good for supply & grid stability—but big increase in Capex.
Solar power storage mandatory? The purpose of including storage as a component is to ensure ease of transfer of solar power between states.
Large-scale storage would give the growing Indian solar power market a much-needed security blanket.
Tweet: Nuclear power booster: After Switz, US & Japan also convey support for India’s entry to Nuclear Suppliers Group. Stumbling block ~ China.
Support for India’s entry into NSG grows With growing support for India’s membership into the elite NSG club, India is hoping to whittle down Chinese opposition.
The government has been actively campaigning for it; it hosted current NSG chair Rafael Grossi in Delhi last year.
Tweet: 17 smart cities have formed SPVs & r appointing CEOs. Critical to minimize turf issues btween new Chiefs & existing Municipal Commissioners.
Smart cities begin to roll out SPVs Under the Smart Cities mission, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has to be registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
The state and the respective urban local body will have 50:50 equity stakes. Private investments are allowed, but the management control will rest with the government.
Tweet: Rlys poised to clean up its act: By 2019—140,000 bio-toilets in all 55,000 coaches. Unhygienic dumping on tracks finally getting over.
Railways to become ‘zero discharge’ network Indian Railways has installed 30,000 bio-toilets till date and has set a target of becoming a ‘zero discharge’ rail network by 2019.
The idea is to ensure environment-friendly disposal of all kinds of waste being generated in the rail premises, while setting up waste-to-energy plants at major stations.
Tweet: Why does Delhi need a Unified Metropolitan Trpt Auth? Bcoz, 18 diff Central & Delhi deptts & agencies deal with transportation aspects.
Decongesting Delhi
Among the measures suggested by an inter-ministerial committee for decongesting Delhi, the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority is expected to improve coordination, decision-making and execution.
It has also suggested various interventions at a total cost of R19,762 crore.