Just to promote govt's policy of Make in India, BSNL said, it cannot afford to procure sub-standard equipment from inexperienced companies, not having proven technology. BSNL complained that when competitors were procuring world-class 4G equipment from experienced vendors, why should BSNL be compelled to procure locally.

'Despite the pandemic, we aspire to maintain the momentum of last year.'

'Some districts have said that areas which are away from the urban centres and where there have been minimal to zero Covid-19 cases may be exempted from the lockdown and construction activity should be allowed,' said a person in the know.

The auto ancillary industry - one of the worst hit due to the labour exodus - will need at least three months to get its factories up and running.

Companies have activated a comprehensive pandemic response plan with requisite risk mitigation protocols for keeping networks working as telecom is an essential service.

With development of the Vadhavan port, India will break into the countries with top 10 container ports in the world.

Various stakeholders, including about 600 developers, bankers and officials from various wings, including the National Highways Authority of India, will also be present.

The company, which has a subscriber base of 120 million, also plans to raise funds via a bonds issue. The company's impending 4G launch is also expected in the second half of the current financial year for which it would invest Rs 12,000 crore, partly through bonds.

Huawei came under a cloud after allegations that the firm's electronic and telecom devices helped China spy on US corporations and agencies.

As even bigger road construction players are not willing to bet on BOT projects., NHAI will have to rethink its thrust on the BOT model.

Although the industry is disappointed with the government decision not to lower spectrum prices at a time telcos are saddled with over Rs 4-trillion debt and an estimated Rs 1.43-trillion licence fee dues, the DCC has relaxed the payment structure to offer some relief to the financially stressed sector.

Mittal said he discussed a plethora of issues with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and sought the government's support for faster clearances to streamline the group's investment plans.

While Delhi boasts of one of the best metro systems in the world and decent infrastructure, reckless construction, legalising unauthorised colonies, and the worsening water and air quality dent its image of being a robust cosmopolitan city.

'BSNL employee cost is Rs 14,500 crore and we anticipate that around 80,000 should opt for VRS.'

The asset monetisation exercise in the first phase will help BSNL shave off its Rs 14,000-crore debt. The government has said that these firms are strategically important and will not be closed down or divested.

Analysts at rating agency ICRA say the debt level of the telecom companies is very high and the ecosystem for the premium band is not in place.

Home minister heads several groups of ministers, including the one to decide the revival package for Bharat Sanchar Nigam and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam. His ministry also takes decisive calls on national security in relation to telecom operations as well as equipment and technology used in the industry.

While some states have proposed to dilute the hefty penalty provisions in the Act, there are those like West Bengal which have refused to implement right away.

It is learnt that the defence ministry is refusing to let go of its 100 MHz spectrum, which was allotted earlier. In that case, the department of telecommunications (DoT) will be left with only 175 MW of 5G spectrum of the total 300 MHz.

BSNL is providing telecom services in remote parts of the country and maintaining 17,000 to 18,000 exchanges, incurring Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore losses every year. Otherwise, these villages will be cut off.

Gadkari said the NHAI was working on setting up an InvIT to monetise its projects for mobilising resources through capital markets.

Airtel Xstream will allow its subscribers to access live TV, video, music, news and sports on an over-the-top smart stick, interned-enabled set top box, and handheld devices.

The much-needed amendments will improve road safety, facilitate citizens in their dealings with transport departments, strengthen rural transport, public transport and last-mile connectivity through automation, computerisation and online services.

Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea said the Railways should not be permitted to offer commercial services like Wi-fi and voice and video communication.

Rs 3,050-crore penalty on Airtel, Voda Idea gets nod. Final decision will be taken by DoT.

Changes in the draft essentially mean that the year of the Motor Vehicles Bill 2016 will change to 2019 besides other such technical amendments. But the contents of the bill remain the same.

Water flowing into Pakistan from the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas can be stopped only if three dam projects on this side of the border are completed.

The 3G, 4G data and Airtel Money services are the next growth engines for the company in Africa.

The National Highways Authority of India will this year witness the highest ever growth out of the last decade. But Gadkari himself admits his biggest failure as India's roads minister has been his inability to curb loss of life in road accidents.

'Though the river is cleaner than what it was five years ago, a lot more needs to be done.'

The 80-odd projects completed till now are already valued at Rs 14,000 crore.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that even he finds it difficult to remember it sometimes and would be better to have a name that is easy to remember while browsing the internet

India will shortly unveil a 'One Nation-One Card policy' for public transport that will entail connectivity between various modes of transport

The major reason for the policy confusion over e-vehicles is the lack of conviction within government about the utility of this disruptive technology and its role in India's larger Paris Agreement climate change commitments.

New software will ensure that anyone with more than one election ID has to surrender the other cards.

IHMCL implemented the FASTag electronic tolling of national highways, but due to technical glitches, road ministry is mulling the option of offering this job to a Korean company

In the next 25 years, the Mumbai port will need five terminals because the current passenger traffic of 200,000 is expected to climb to 4 million.

Geo-fencing to map vehicle route; pilot run expected on Delhi-Mumbai highway

India, World Bank ink $375 mn deal to help develop country's first waterway

The central government's highway award and construction target for the current fiscal is dominated by the Bharatmala scheme.