Big Rs 603cr Push to Modernise City’s Power Grid, Curb Outages The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is set to launch a 602.98-crore infrastructure upgrade project aimed at modernising Nagpur district’s power supply system. The initiative, which will receive financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is designed to reduce frequent tripping incidents, voltage fluctuations, and unscheduled power cuts. The plan was reviewed during a meeting chaired by revenue minister and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who highlighted the need for large-scale investment due to urban expansion, industrial growth, and rising summer temperatures. According to senior MSEDCL officials, the project will address the growing demand for electricity and improve reliability across the district. TOI has previously reported on the increasing frequency of power outages caused by the strain on the existing distribution network. CE Dilip Dodke provided a detailed overview of the current infrastructure, which includes 190 operational 33 KV substations, a sanctioned manpower strength of 3,827 employees, and a sprawling network of 564 feeders of 33 KV capacity spanning 2,213 km. Additionally, the system features 564 feeders of 11 KV capacity covering nearly 12,778 km, along with 319 power transformers, 34,770 distribution transformers, and over 32,184 km of low-tension lines. These lines supply electricity to approximately 1,840 villages across the district. The modernisation plan includes the establishment of 21 new extra high-voltage 33/11 KV substations, with 9 located within the city and 12 in rural areas. To enhance power quality and ensure uninterrupted supply, MSEDCL will install 405 new distribution transformers.#nagpur_district #mSEDCL #chandrashekhar_bawankule #asian_development_bank
Amravati MLA Urges Shift of Govt Medical College Site from Forest-Protected Land Amravati MLA Sulabha Khodke has called on the state government to relocate the proposed site for the Amravati Govt Medical College (GMC) from Mauje Aliyabad, a location under the forest department’s jurisdiction. In a letter dated April 30, Khodke highlighted that the proposed site falls within the forest department’s “identified forest” area, making it subject to the Forest (Conservation & Protection) Act, 1980. She emphasized that non-forestry activities, including the establishment of the medical college, require prior approval from the Central government, which has not been secured. Khodke argued that the GMC should be situated in the central part of the city to ensure connectivity with existing health infrastructure. She proposed alternative locations, including the premises of the women’s hospital and super specialty hospital, which she noted have 23 acres of land available in the city’s core. Additionally, she suggested utilizing 25 acres of land from the Panjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth’s 75-acre plot, as well as 23 acres adjacent to the city at Mauje Rahatgaon (Survey No. 121) and 25 acres of land owned by the Cotton Marketing Federation in the city’s central area. The MLA’s request followed a visit by representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is funding the medical college’s construction. During their survey of the forest department office, they identified the proposed site as part of the forest area, prompting Khodke to escalate the issue. She also wrote to state ministers Hasan Mushrif (medical education) and Chandrashekhar Bawankule (revenue) to seek resolution.#forest_department #asian_development_bank #amravati_mla #sulabha_khodke #amravati_govt_medical_college
World Bank Group Launches Initiative to Improve Water Security for 1 Billion People The World Bank Group, in collaboration with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and key partners, launched Water Forward, a global platform aimed at enhancing water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The initiative, announced on April 15, 2026, seeks to align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods. These efforts are critical for job creation and economic stability, as water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. The platform addresses the challenges of water scarcity, which affects 4 billion people globally. In many countries, unclear policies, weak regulations, and financially unsustainable utilities have hindered progress and deterred investment. Water Forward aims to overcome these barriers by supporting developing nations in building resilient water systems that can unlock productivity, support livelihoods, and attract private investment. The initiative will focus on institutional reforms, improved financial performance, and the development of investment-ready projects. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, emphasized the foundational role of water in economic systems. “When water systems work, farmers produce, businesses operate, and cities attract investment. Our task now is to align reform, financing, and partnerships to deliver reliable water services at scale,” he stated. At the core of Water Forward are country-led water compacts, through which governments define reform priorities, commit to strengthening institutions, and establish investment pathways for their water sectors.#world_bank_group #water_forward #ajay_banga #multilateral_development_banks #asian_development_bank
