Myanmar Unrest Halts Asian Highway Project: S Jaishankar

26 Feb 2025 CW Team

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) Highway, a key project under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, has been stalled due to the ongoing unrest in Myanmar. Speaking at the Advantage Assam Summit in Guwahati, he stressed the importance of finding practical solutions to advance the initiative, despite current challenges. The 1,400-km highway, which aims to strengthen trade, business, health, education, and tourism ties between India, Myanmar, and Thailand, is expected to connect Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. By July 2023, about 70% of the construction work had been completed, but the project has faced repeated delays, missing its earlier target of a December 2019 launch. Jaishankar highlighted India’s growing engagement with ASEAN nations and the progress made with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. He also noted the increasing role of Japan and South Korea in northeast India’s development and the potential for expanded partnerships in education, skill development, and mobility. Despite the challenges, Jaishankar reaffirmed the Modi government’s commitment to the ‘Act East, Act Fast, and Act First’ approach, emphasising the need for continued regional cooperation to drive growth. (NDTV)

Infrastructure Urban

15 Apr 2025

Andhra Pradesh to Develop 30,000 Women-Led Enterprises by 2025

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department is accelerating efforts to create sustainable livelihoods for women in urban areas, in line with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s goal of fostering one lakh women entrepreneurs by 2025. Under this initiative, the MAUD Department has set a target to establish 30,000 women-led enterprises across towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh. To support this vision, the department plans to establish Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for women in TIDCO housing complexes. Vacant plots across 163 colonies have been earmarked ..

G Kishan Reddy discusses mining expansion, clearances with Chhattisgarh CM

Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy met Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday to expedite land acquisition and environmental clearances for mining projects. Reddy, who was on a two-day visit to review operations at South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), discussed measures to boost mining-led economic growth in the state. Key topics included speeding up land acquisition for mine expansions, obtaining quicker environmental approvals, and setting up integrated rehabilitation and resettlement sites. The minister also highlighted the importance of developing critical minerals in the region, alo..

NITI Aayog's Vision for India's Auto Industry

NITI Aayog has launched the report titled "Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains," offering a roadmap for the country’s automotive future. Released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, the report outlines key strategies to grow India’s automotive sector to $145 bn in component production by 2030. India is currently the fourth-largest automobile producer globally, but with only a modest three per cent share in the global automotive component market. The report emphasises the need to strengthen India’s position through competitive manufacturing, skill d..