Under pressure from banks, who are refusing to lend, state utilities are poring over the new reports by Shunglu and BK Chaturvedi Committees. Is franchise the best way forward, though? At 31 percent, the national average on AT&C losses are unacceptably high. Quantified, this amounts to nearly Rs 70,000 crore of losses, and the Finance Commission fears that this amount will rise to Rs 1.16 lakh crore by 2014-15.
FlashNews:
Inox Wind Secures ₹7.55 Billion Repeat Order from Indian Oil
FLY91 Signs $1 Billion ATR Order to Drive Regional Aviation Growth
Esri Launches Linux‑Based GeoSARAL to Tap India’s Expanding GIS Market
Tata Power Commissions 400 kV Jalpura-Khurja Corridor to Strengthen NCR Grid
UrbanVault Expands into Chennai with 100,000 Sq. Ft. Across Three Properties
Naidu Chairs High‑Level Committee to Strengthen Aircraft Leasing and Financing
Windergy India 2026: Wind Sector Targets 100 GW with Manufacturing, Offshore and Repowering
RVNL Charts Diversified Growth with Strong Order Book and Execution
Air India Express Unveils New Uniforms Inspired by India’s Cultural Heritage
NHAI Tightens AI-Machine Construction Norms
Power Investments to Drive 100-200 bps Revenue Growth for Large EPC Firms
Air India Expands Easy Connect from Ahmedabad, Linking Gujarat to 26 Global Destinations
AM/NS India, ICAR‑IARI Partner on Sustainable Use of Iron Ore Tailings in Agriculture
POWERGRID Holds 37th AGM, Showcases Strong Growth and High System Availability
‘Logistics growth will mirror India’s manufacturing momentum’
IndiGo Ventures Backs Sarvam to Drive AI in Aviation
Tata Power Renewables Commissions 72.5 MW Solar Plant for Tata Steel’s Green Push
AM/NS India Secures 30‑Year Concession for Paradip Port Berth
AISATS MoUs with Spicexpress, Total Solutions to Expand Freighter Operations at Noida Airport
Bracing Up
Since we're in December, it's probably a good time to look back at the year. The 6.9 per cent quarterly growth figures for the previous quarter come in the year's sunset month, and the fiscal year's growth is now downgraded to about 7.3 per cent.
There will be visible improvement in port connectivity in 3-4 years
In his interview with Sudheer Vathiyath and Shashidhar Nanjundaiah, K Mohandas, Secretary, Union Ministry of Shipping, highlights some of the initiatives from the government in port connectivity, including ro-ro services, inland waterways on PPP, and more.
It's not a bridge – it's a gamechanger
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) recently issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the much-awaited trans-harbour link from Mumbai's Sewri and Nhava and Jawaharlal Nehru Ports, with further linkages to other ports.
On the foothills of an uncertain year
One of the key challenges in infrastructure is facilitating the flow of projected but large amounts of capital into infrastructure. Current trends indicate that there might be a funding shortfall of over $300 billion,
Vibrancy of infra sectors will continue: Montek
"Which is the most progressive state in infrastructure?" "Where are the problem areas?" "Is desalination feasible in states where power is a problem?" "What do you think will happen?"
Port connectivity: The efficiency linkages
Bankers say ports are one of the best sectors to finance to. With the frenetic growth envisaged in the 2020 Agenda, port connectivity is impatiently awaited as the government works on four-lane roads and rail lines linking the gateways to the hinterland.
Vizhinjam gears up external infra
As his port hopes to compete with Vallarpadam as a state-owned transshipment hub, Manoj Joshi, CEO, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), and Secretary (Ports), Kerala Government, responds to questions from Infrastructure Today.
Credit ratings: Need for a different rating mechanism
Conventional investment credit ratings-typically lower than desirable for infrastructure projects-constrain financing infrastructure investments in India, says Dhruba Purkayastha. So should the methodology be revisited?
Infrascape 2012 | Highways: EPC will gain momentum next year
Highways have been largely on an upswing. We have awaÂrded-or set to award upon opening bids-4,500 km, and will be awarding a minimum of 3,000 km by the end of this fiscal. The industry has been gung ho about the sector,

