Infrastructure

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, formally known as the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement Scheme, has a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore and is aimed at accelerating EV adoption, creating charging infrastructure and strengthening India’s electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme covers demand incentives and infrastructure support for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, trucks, ambulances and other emerging EV segments.

The new Noida R&D centre will support MediaTek’s efforts to expand its engineering talent base and strengthen its research capabilities in India. The company said the facility will work along with its existing Bengaluru operations to accelerate innovation in semiconductor technologies and advanced chip design solutions.

The strongest signal came from exports, which rose sharply by 31.5 percent year-on-year to 16,885 units. This export surge reflects the growing acceptance of Indian construction and earthmoving equipment in overseas markets and points to India’s improving competitiveness in heavy engineering manufacturing.

The significance of chip-packaging units lies in their role at the final but crucial stage of semiconductor manufacturing. After chips are fabricated, they must be assembled, tested, marked and packaged before they can be used in products such as smartphones, automobiles, telecom equipment, consumer electronics, defence systems and industrial devices. By building this capability at home, India can reduce supply-chain vulnerability and gradually move up the semiconductor value chain.

The company stated that its expanding 17.7 GW portfolio includes operational, under-construction, and planned renewable-energy projects across multiple Indian states.

India’s broader energy mix is also undergoing a visible transformation. The country’s non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 50 percent of total installed power capacity, reaching 262.7 gigawatts. Solar and wind power have contributed the largest share of recent capacity additions, reinforcing India’s position as one of the fastest-growing clean energy markets in the world.

The demand story is changing because electricity is no longer being pulled only by households and traditional industry. New demand centres are emerging from data centres, electric mobility, cooling systems, agriculture pumps, electronics manufacturing, industrial corridors and policy-backed manufacturing sectors. These areas require not only more electricity, but also more reliable electricity across different times of the day.

The consultation paper reviews the existing regulatory framework and identifies the major challenges slowing the growth of public Wi-Fi services. TRAI has invited suggestions from stakeholders on measures needed to improve public Wi-Fi availability, especially in rural areas, urban centres and high-footfall locations such as markets, transport hubs, institutions and public spaces.