Infrastructure

This is an engineering milestone, an infrastructure milestone and an economic milestone. It shows how India is trying to reduce logistics costs, move more cargo by rail, cut dependence on diesel haulage, improve port connectivity and support cleaner freight movement. In a country where industrial growth, exports, e-commerce, manufacturing, agriculture supply chains and port-led trade are expanding together, freight railway modernisation is directly linked to economic competitiveness.

Hitachi Energy India Limited has announced that the new factory will be located in Karjan, Vadodara, Gujarat. The investment is estimated at around ₹2,000 crore and the facility is scheduled for completion by FY28. The plant will strengthen Hitachi Energy’s existing Indian manufacturing footprint and add new capacity for large transformers used in high-voltage transmission, HVDC systems, power generation, AI data centres and large industrial applications.

The project is focused on upgrading the existing 1×25 kV electric traction system to a modern 2×25 kV system. In simple terms, this means trains will receive a stronger, more stable and more efficient power supply. A railway line with better traction power can handle heavier trains, support higher traffic density and improve reliability during regular operations. For passengers, this can translate into smoother services and better punctuality. For industries, it can support faster movement of freight and stronger logistics connectivity.

The rise of solar power reflects a deep national shift. India is no longer treating renewable energy as a supporting source of electricity. Solar energy has become part of the country’s development model. It powers homes, farms, industries, public buildings, railway stations, villages and large solar parks. It is helping India reduce dependence on fossil fuels while expanding electricity access across regions.

The announcement came during the event “Two years of PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Scaling the solar home to 1 crore rooftops,” where the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reviewed the progress of one of India’s most ambitious residential clean-energy programmes. The scheme was launched on 13 February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore and has now become the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar programme.

The numbers show the scale of the shift. India has crossed 155 GW of installed solar capacity, strengthening its progress towards the national goal of achieving 50 percent of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. This also supports India’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the global climate framework, where the country has committed to a cleaner and more sustainable power mix.

The MT-07 tunnel is 417 metres long and 14.4 metres wide. It has been designed to carry both up and down tracks of the bullet train corridor, allowing high-speed trains to pass through the mountain section with the required safety clearance and structural stability. The tunnel was excavated through controlled drilling and blasting from both ends, supported by continuous engineering supervision and safety protocols.