Ashwini Vaishnaw

Built World

In office

India's power grid produces surplus solar power in the afternoon and faces shortages after sunset. On 4 November 2026, the Union Cabinet approved ₹14,500 crore (US$1.53 billion) in viability gap funding for 92 gigawatt-hours of new grid-scale storage by 2030-31.

Updated 2 hours ago

Built World

Was scheduled to inaugurate passenger service on Rowghat line on October 20, 2026

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) finished the last 17.5 km of the 95-km Dallirajhara–Rowghat line in Chhattisgarh, after the rail safety commissioner inspected it on September 22. The line reaches Rowghat, and passenger trains are scheduled to start on October 20, ending a 50-year wait for the Bastar region.

Updated Oct 18

Built World

Targets an inaugural Surat-Vapi run in August 2027 and full corridor operations by 2029

National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) finished the 480-meter bridge over the Sabarmati River on October 3. The 36-meter-tall crossing, about a 12-story building, sits between the Sabarmati and Ahmedabad stations.

Updated Oct 18

Built World

As of June 2026: Issued the operationalisation notification on April 28, 2026

Indian Railways had not added a new zone since 2003. On June 1, the South Coast Railway began operations from Visakhapatnam, becoming the 18th, with 3,532 km of track and 385 stations carved out of two existing zones.

Updated Jun 1

Built World

As of May 2026: Leading modernization push, overseeing Kavach and Vande Bharat expansion

India's railways date to 1853, when the first train ran 21 miles from Bombay to Thane under British colonial rule. For 170 years, long-distance overnight travel meant cramped, aging coaches.

Updated May 21