Showing posts with label INFRASTRUCTURE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INFRASTRUCTURE. Show all posts

Friday, July 14, 2017

DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi today to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.

The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing social, economic and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India.

WIPO’s Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) program provides innovators in developing countries with access to locally based, high quality technology information and related services, helping them to exploit their innovative potential and to create, protect, and manage their Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).

Services offered by TISCs include:
•    Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications;
•    Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information;
•    Training in database search;
•    On-demand searches (novelty, state-of-the-art and infringement);
•    Monitoring technology and competitors;
•    Basic information on industrial property laws, management and strategy, and technology commercialization and marketing.

The Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) is designated as the National Focal Point for the TISC national network. As the national focal point, CIPAM shall identify potential host institutions, assess their capacities and support them in joining the TISC program. CIPAM will also act as the main intermediary between WIPO and TISC host institutions and coordinate all the activities of the national TISC network.

Over 500 TISCs operate worldwide and establishing TISC in India will give the host institutions an access to the global network. In upcoming years, CIPAM is planning to establish TISCs in Universities, State Science Councils, R&D institutions etc. TISC will give an impetus to knowledge sharing, sharing of best practices among the TISCs, capacity building, generation and commercialization of IPs.   

Friday, November 23, 2012

MNRE Sanctions Funds to 41 Cities Under “Development of Solar Cities” Programme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a Scheme on ’Development of Solar Cities’ which provides support for 60 cities to develop as Solar Cities in the country. The Ministry has given sanctions for 41 cities for developing as Solar Cities. Gandhinagar, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Mysore are being developed as Model Solar Cities. The Ministry has approved the Master Plants for the 28 Cities and the project installations have already started in few cities.

In pursuance of the programme, a one day ‘National Meet on Solar Cities’ was inaugurated by Shri Gireesh B Pradhan, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on 22nd November 2012, at India International Centre, New Delhi. The Secretary asked the Municipal Corporations to enhance the use of renewable energy in their area and save the fossil fuel based energy. They can amend the building bye-laws suitably to promote the solar water heaters, solar SPV rooftop systems, kitchen waste based plants in the various establishments of the city. Smt. Nisha Singh Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, emphasized the need for the concerned Ministries to work in coordination with each other.

About 150 persons actively participated in the one day event including the representatives of Municipal Corporations, Developers, Financial Institutions, International Agencies, Manufactures, Investors, Technology Providers and State Nodal Agencies, banks etc. The aim of this meet was to discuss the “Ways Forward” after Master Plan for execution of renewable energy/energy efficiency related projects in respective solar cities. The Municipal Commissioners of Thane, Mysore and Shimla actively participated in the event.  

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Four Water Purification Plants set up in Coastal Areas

The Centre has installed four plants for converting sea water into drinking water based on indigenously designed and developed Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology. National Institute of Ocean Technology, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Earth Sciences has set up the plants at Kavarati, Minicoy, Agatti in Lakshadweep and the fourth one is at North Chennai Thermal Power Station, Chennai. The Minister of Rural Development and the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Shri Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the cost per litre of produced drinking water would depend on the technology used and cost of electricity which varies from place to place. However, according to the cost estimates made recently by an independent agency for LTTD technology, the operational costs per litre of desalinated drinking water currently works out to be 19 paise for island based plants which is exclusive of capital cost. He said, approval has also been accorded to set up six more LTTD plants, one each in Amini, Chetlet, Kadamat, Kalpeni, Kiltan and Andrott islands of Lakshadweep. The Minister added that there is also a proposal to set up another palnt with a capacity of generating 2 million litres of potable water per day at Tuticorin Thermal Power Station, Tamil Nadu.

Friday, April 20, 2012

ABOUT INDIA

India has emerged as one of the most attractive destination not only for investment but also for doing business in the recent years. One of the fastest growing economies in the world which has not only sustained global downturn of 2008-09, India is slated to grow at consistently higher rates during next few decades. Some of the reasons which make India as a magnate of investments are:
  • Large and fast growing middle class & graduation of poor to middle class and hence growing domestic consumption
  • Indian Government’s constantly evolving investor friendly policy
  • Lower cost of production due to lower labour rates
  • Availability of skilled manpower
  • Abundant natural resources
  • English as one of the major business languages
  • Government’s emphasis on infrastructure improvement
  • India’s location, close to markets of South East Asia, Middle East and also Europe.
India is likely to become one of the largest economies of the world by the year 2025 as per projections made by internationally renowned consultants and IMF. Businesses around the world do not like to miss the growth opportunities offered by Indian markets and hence some of them are already stepping up their investments and rest eying India for investments in coming years.
Socio economic structure
India has a large sized middle class, which is further expanding substantially, offering a big fat market for foreign products and services. In fact, if India continues its recent growth trend, average household incomes will triple over the next two decades and it will become the world’s fifth largest consumer economy by the year 2025, according to a McKinsey report in 2010. The consistent economic growth in India has been an important factor that has contributed towards the decline in poverty.
India’s per capita income is estimated to be US$ 1223.45 in 2010-11, at current prices, which is higher by 17.9 percent from the per capita income in 2009-10.
In just eleven years, from 1993-94 to 2004-2005 the percentage of people below poverty line has declined from 36% to 28%, according to a survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO).
Governance
India has a Federal Republic Government, established in 1947 after it became independent.
The Indian political system is supported by Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
The political governance system in India was established by the ‘Constitution of India’ in the year 1950. It has given India’s Union Government the governing authority of all its administrative divisions, which comprise of 28 states and 7 union territories.
The Executive branch is constituted by India’s President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Legislative branch is made up of the dual functioning of Lok Sabha or the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States.
The Judicial branch is composed of the Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate courts. India follows the British law which has been amended to suit local conditions.
The infrastructure
Road - India’s total road network spans 3.34 million KM which is second largest in the world. This road network consists of 65,589 KM of highways.
Rail - Indian rail route is 63,028 KM long which is largest in Asia and second largest in the world under one management. Indian Railways have 222,147 freight wagons for use in movement of freight to any corner of the country.
Ports - There are 13 major ports and 187 minor/intermediate ports along the coast line of the country. Total capacity of Indian ports in the year 2010-11 was 616.73 million tons. Ports handle over 90% of India’s international trade.
Airports - India has a total of 125 Airports, which include 11 International Airports.
SEZs - With a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000 by Indian Government. There are 133 special economic zones operating presently all over India.
Locational advantage
Located in south Asia, India has its border countries as China, Bhutan and Nepal on north-west side, Myanmar and Bangladesh on East side and Afghanistan & Pakistan on its North-West side. The great Himalaya Mountains divide India from rest of Asia in its North side. Some of the emerging and established markets such as Middle-East and South East countries are also closely located.
Naturally connected via the sea route from the other three sides, India is surrounded by Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean which facilitates most its overseas trade in all directions.
Total area of the country is about 3.3 million square kilometers, 90% of which is land area. India is the seventh largest country in the world in area. India’s coast line spreads over a length of 7,517 kilometers on three sides.
Resources
Population and work force
One out of every six people in the world is an Indian! In 2011, India’s population is estimated at 1.21 Bllion people, against the total world population which is 6.9 Billion. Moreover, India’s biggest asset is huge size of its young and working population class. The proportion of population in the working age-group 15-59 years is expected to rise from 57.7 percent in 2001 to 64.3 percent in 2026. This is going to positively impact India’s growth in the coming years. According to the National Population Commission, India will add 173 Million people in working-age population by the year 2026. In fact, by this time, India will have the largest working age population in the world. This will act as a vital point in making India a world leader in coming years.
Education strata and manpower resources
India can boast of remarkably strong manpower resources with one of the most developed higher education systems across the globe. India’s size of education system ranks third in the world, after US and China.
The literacy rate in India is 74 percent in 2011, with English being understood and used commonly as a medium of spoken and written communication.
India had 409 university level institutions in 2008-09. The total number of colleges is 25,990 and that of polytechnics was 1742.
Total number of annual enrolment for various postgraduate courses is as high as 18.6 Million in the nation.
[update]India has 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges with an annual student intake of 582,000.
The number of student enrolled each year to become doctors is as large as 273,366 in India.
The number of graduates from other courses like management, law, architecture, hotel, travel and tourism management are also growing fast.
Material resources
India can boast of being rich in a variety of natural resources. Some of them are coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite and fluorite.
The distinctive India
India is a country rich in history, culture, religion and diversity. There are 22 officially recognized languages spoken here. People from all religions live harmoniously here who comprise of the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and many more.

SOCIO ECONOMIC STRUCTURE:
India has a large sized middle class, which is further expanding substantially, offering a big fat market for foreign products and services. In fact, if India continues its recent growth trend, average household incomes will triple over the next two decades and it will become the world’s fifth largest consumer economy by the year 2025, according to a McKinsey report in 2010. The consistent economic growth in India has been an important factor that has contributed towards the decline in poverty.
  • India’s per capita income is estimated to be US$ 1223.45 in 2010-11, at current prices, which is higher by 17.9 percent from the per capita income in 2009-10.
  • In just eleven years, from 1993-94 to 2004-2005 the percentage of people below poverty line has declined from 36% to 28%, according to a survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO).
INFRASTRUCTURE:
Road - India’s total road network spans 3.34 million KM which is second largest in the world. This road network consists of 65,589 KM of highways.
Rail - Indian rail route is 63,028 KM long which is largest in Asia and second largest in the world under one management. Indian Railways have 222,147 freight wagons for use in movement of freight to any corner of the country.
Ports - There are 13 major ports and 187 minor/intermediate ports along the coast line of the country. Total capacity of Indian ports in the year 2010-11 was 616.73 million tons. Ports handle over 90% of India’s international trade.
Airports - India has a total of 125 Airports, which include 11 International Airports.
SEZs - With a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000 by Indian Government. There are 133 special economic zones operating presently all over India.

Population and work force
One out of every six people in the world is an Indian! In 2011, India’s population is estimated at 1.21 Bllion people, against the total world population which is 6.9 Billion.
Moreover, India’s biggest asset is huge size of its young and working population class. The proportion of population in the working age-group 15-59 years is expected to rise from 57.7 percent in 2001 to 64.3 percent in 2026.
This is going to positively impact India’s growth in the coming years. According to the National Population Commission, India will add 173 Million people in working-age population by the year 2026. In fact, by this time, India will have the largest working age population in the world. This will act as a vital point in making India a world leader in coming years.

Material Resources

India can boast of being rich in a variety of natural resources. Some of them are coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite and fluorite.


Friday, March 30, 2012

Award of projects under NHDP / VGF Schemes under PPP Mode

In the year 2011-12, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded 49 projects of 6491 Kms. In addition, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (M/o RT&H) has awarded 9 projects of 908 Kms. through state agencies. Thus 58 projects of 7400 Kms. have already been awarded. This is about 40% more than the best ever that was in the last year. 

In addition, 3 projects in NHAI of 318 Kms. and 5 projects in the Ministry of 664 Kms. i.e. 982 Kms. in all, bids have been received, which are under evaluation and decision is to be taken soon. 

Per Capita Power Consumption

The per capita consumption of electricity in the country during the year 2009-10 was 778.63 kWh per annum as against the global average of 2730 kWh for the year 2009. 

As per the National Electricity Policy 2005, per capita availability of electricity is to be increased to over 1000 units by 2012. However, it is estimated that per capita consumption in the country would reach 1257 units by the end of the 12th Plan (2016-17). 

As per the report of Working Group on Power for the 12th Plan, capacity addition requirement during 12th Plan is 75,785 MW on all India basis, based on the Mid-Term Appraisal capacity addition target of 62,374 MW during 11th Plan. The capacity of 75,785 MW comprises 9,204 MW hydro, 63,781 MW thermal and 2,800 MW nuclear capacity. In addition, a grid interactive renewable capacity addition of about 18,500 MW during 12th Plan has been considered for the generation planning studies. 

Several steps have been taken to improve the power situation including per capita power availability in the country. These include delicensing of thermal generation, introduction of Ultra-Mega Power Projects (UMPP), investor friendly New Hydro Policy 2008, initiatives for augmentation of domestic manufacturing capacity of power plant equipment, adoption of super-critical technologies, liberalization of mega power policy, enhancing availability of skilled and trained manpower and acceleration in generation capacity addition. 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Rubber-mixed bitumen for roads PTI

The Centre has formulated a plan to use natural rubber in roads, as recommended by experts. The use of natural rubber-modified bitumen has been specified by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for binder courses and wearing courses laid on National Highways, an official statement said..
The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) has tested the use of modified bitumen, including natural rubber—modified bitumen, in construction and maintenance of roads under the ministry's sponsored research scheme.
According to the findings of the study, natural rubber—modified bitumen improves the durability of roads by reducing susceptibility toward temperature variations and improving the desirable properties of bitumen, thereby improving overall performance. As per the decision of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, modified bitumen may be used for the surfacing of entire National Highways.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Inland water transport gets a boost as NTPC, FCI commit cargoes

In order to fast track the development of the inland waterways for transporting bulk cargo, the Prime Minister Office has pushed for private and public sector partnership. To begin with a series of agreements were initiated at a meeting of the inter-ministerial co-ordination committee, according to an official statement issued here on Saturday.
It was agreed that NTPC will provide long-term cargo commitment for three million tonne of coal for Barh power project once all its five units are operational by 2016-17, while the execution of coal handling facility at Jogighopa and rail connectivity will be taken up under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources scheme.
“The initiative will harness potential of inland waterways in transporting bulk cargo such as coal, foodgrains, fertilisers, project cargo, fly ash, over dimensional cargo and containers at competitive cost for the public and private sector companies.
“Adequate use of waterways will also ease the burden on rail and road infrastructure,” the statement said.

Cargo commitment

Among other decisions, it was also concluded that the Food Corporation of India will provide a three-year cargo commitment for transportation of foodgrains to Tripura and Assam from Kolkata and within Assam, while ONGC and Oil India will convey a firm commitment of cargo through waterways in two weeks to the Inland Waterways Authority of India. Concor will also provide a firm commitment for transportation part of their container cargo from Pandu. “The Ministry of Shipping will consider providing additional money, if need be, to ensure night navigation facilities on the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route. The progress on these decisions will be reviewed in two months time by the Principal Secretary to PM,” the statement said.
The Ministry of External Affairs will try to extend the period of Trade and Transit Protocol beyond March when vessel operators come for renewal. Also, efforts shall be made for early completion of Ashuganj multi-modal port by Bangladesh.
This follows the signing of a tripartite agreement on the Farakka Power Project between NTPC, Inland Waterways Authority of India and a private developer. With a committed investment of Rs 650 crore by the private entity, this deal will lead to competitive transportation rates for NTPC.