Indian Infrastructures and Capabilities
The initiative comes as India accelerates efforts to meet its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, up from the current ~267 GW. Grid-scale battery storage is considered critical for managing the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind, by storing surplus energy during low demand and supplying it during peak hours.
The 500 MWe reactor has been developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI) and built indigenously with contributions from more than 200 Indian industries, including MSMEs. The project has long been seen as a crucial element in India’s effort to deepen domestic capability in advanced reactor technology while aligning with the wider push for self-reliance in strategic sectors.
With the fresh additions, India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity has now crossed 56 GW, reinforcing the sector’s growing role in the country’s renewable energy mix. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the momentum reflects a combination of clearer policy direction, better transmission readiness, competitive tariff discovery and a strong pipeline of upcoming projects.
The year also saw a strong push toward domestic manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.
According to the PIB note, plaza-level assessments found that cash payments contribute to congestion, longer waiting times during peak traffic periods, and transaction-related disputes. A digital-only system, in contrast, allows toll plazas to process vehicles faster and with fewer manual interventions. Government messaging on FASTag over the past few years has consistently pushed the same direction: smoother traffic flow, lower friction at plazas, and a more technology-driven highway network.
The project is being taken up as part of the Sagarmala Programme and is aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, both of which aim to build stronger multi-modal transport networks and improve logistics performance across the country. Construction is being executed by Western Railway on a deposit basis.
The PM-WANI model is designed as a market-driven framework that allows local entrepreneurs to set up and operate Wi-Fi access points based on commercial viability, with the government acting primarily as an enabling policy platform. That structure is intended to widen last-mile internet access without relying solely on large-scale centralised infrastructure, particularly in areas where affordable broadband availability remains uneven.
The technology, titled “Bio-Bitumen from Lignocellulosic Biomass – From Farm Residue to Roads,” was showcased at a Technology Transfer Event in New Delhi on March 30, 2026, with the aim of enabling large-scale industry adoption. It was jointly developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP).
New Delhi Railway Station has already become the first example of this model in operation. According to the government, the station’s holding area is now serving passengers with a range of amenities including additional ticket counters, automatic ticket vending machines, public announcement systems, electronic train information boards, CCTV surveillance, luggage scanners, door frame metal detectors, uninterrupted power supply, improved lighting, high-volume low-speed fans, fire-fighting and lightning protection systems, RO drinking water and separate toilets for men, women and Divyangjan passengers. Similar arrangements are planned for the remaining stations, though implementation timelines will depend on planning and execution at each location.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at
