March 2019
Finally Setting Sail
Sagarmala witnesses some progress, but much remains to be done
Since its launch four years ago, Sagarmala, the government’s flagship programme for the maritime sector, has finally picked up pace. Progress under the port modernisation and port connectivity components has been quite visible. In the […]
LNG Terminal Expansion Plans
Inherent issues need to be addressed to meet capacity enhancement targets K. Ravichandran, Senior Vice President, ICRA Limited
A spate of project announcements with respect to new regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) terminals in India has been the cause for a lot of exuberance in recent times. Even by a conservative estimate, India […]
PFC
Going from strength to strength
The Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the lead financier in the Indian power sector, is exploring new growth avenues. With the changing business environment, the company has realigned its strategy to maintain its dominant position in […]
Hits and Misses
Mapping UDAY’s targets and progress
Close on the heels of the March 2019 deadline for the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), the government presented a note on the scheme’s three-year progress. Under the scheme, which was launched in November 2015 […]
Rural Impetus
Enhanced allocation to fast-track PMGSY implementation
Sensing the importance of a robust rural road network in ensuring economic growth, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched on December 25, 2000. While the programme moved at […]
Progress Report
Performance of key minerals
In infrastructure sectors across the country, minerals form a basic foundational element. From 2013-14 to 2017-18, the majority of minerals including iron ore, lignite and bauxite displayed a mixed trend. In contrast, the upward trend […]
Positive Sentiment
Despite unsuccessful auctions, policy push likely to increase coal demand
In the coming years, the demand for coal is expected to increase, despite challenges such as lack of financing options, skilled manpower and coordination among various government entities. While changes in the policy framework will […]
Contractual Issues
Long-pending problems of MDOs still to be addressed
The experience with mine developer-cum-operators (MDOs) has been mixed in the coal mining segment, the largest part of the domestic mining industry. In the past, when Coal India Limited (CIL) faced resource constraints which impacted […]
Lagging Far Behind
Exploration works still require a push to take off
Mineral exploration in India is yet to make a mark. The country is far behind its global counterparts with respect to exploration activities. While countries such as Canada and Australia account for a share of […]
Expanding Reach
Urja Gas Pipeline Project to supply gas to eastern India
Pipelines play a critical role in matching the supply of natural gas with demand. With natural gas consumption in the country slated to rise and the need to move towards a gas-based economy, the development […]
Digital Drive
CGD operators deploy new solutions to enhance efficiency
For city gas distribution (CGD) companies, efficiency in business operations is essential to remain profitable. However, the expanding gas pipeline network and customer base has placed a tremendous burden on the existing infrastructure. There have been […]
Alternative Means
ssLNG and NGV segments offer tremendous growth opportunities
The massive scale of the recently concluded ninth and tenth bidding rounds has highlighted the government’s vision of accelerating the creation of city gas distribution (CGD) infrastructure in the country. However, this expansion comes with […]
Much Ground to Cover
Greater focus to be laid on expanding pipeline networks and improving safety
Pipelines play a critical role in matching the supply of natural gas with demand. Traditionally, most of the country’s gas production came from the western offshore finds, except for a few finds in Assam and […]
Improving Coverage
CGD business sees greater participation from operators
The city gas distribution (CGD) segment in the country has grown tremendously in the past few years. To fulfil its objective of making India a gas-based economy, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) […]