Parallelly, the ministry is introducing extensive operational and infrastructural updates to fast-track project execution and enhance quality control. Under a newly overhauled policy, private players are now permitted to propose custom wagon designs tailored to specific industry needs, shifting design responsibility from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation to the industry itself. To minimize land disputes and bureaucratic delays, the ministry is launching the digital Rail Bhoomi portal to streamline and expedite the land acquisition process online. Finally, to ensure high-quality construction across India’s expanding railway infrastructure, a comprehensive skill certification framework will be rolled out over the next 24 months to validate and train ground-level workers like welders, fitters, and testers.

To ensure active stakeholder participation and to offer comprehensive clarity on the scheme provisions and bidding requirements, the Ministry will host a Pre-Application Conference on 20 July 2026. Prospective applicants and industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend this session and raise queries for official clarification. The final deadline for the submission of applications has been set for 7 September 2026. Comprehensive documentation, including the detailed application timeline, guidelines, and the RFP, is currently accessible on the Ministry of Coal’s official website for interested public and private entities to review.

The initiative was designed to create greater public awareness and inspire citizens to actively contribute to a cleaner environment.

Simultaneously, the historic occasion marked major milestones for the 1000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project, which has been developed by SJVN through its renewable energy arm, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Developed with an investment of approximately 5,492 crore across nearly 5,000 acres, this project stands as India’s largest single EPC solar project under the Domestic Content Requirement category at a single location, showcasing world-class renewable energy infrastructure built entirely on indigenous capabilities. The project is estimated to reduce nearly 2.79 billion kilograms of carbon emissions over its operational life, making a substantial contribution toward India’s climate action commitments.

The mega event was graced by the Governor of Rajasthan, Sh. Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Sh. Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal, and Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri. The virtual launch was also joined by top leadership including SJVN Director of Personnel Sh. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Director of Finance Sh. Parthajit De, Director of Projects Sh. Rajesh Kumar Chandel, CVO Sh. Pankaj Porwal, CEO of SGEL Sh. Prashant Sharma, and other senior officials. Beyond clean energy generation, these projects have contributed meaningfully to regional socio-economic development, generating more than 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction and continuing to support local livelihoods during the operational phase.

A Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed concern over the lack of civic sense among citizens, noting that countries such as Vietnam effectively manage heavy rainfall through better public discipline and coordinated civic action. The Court warned that it would not hesitate to take stringent action against those found dumping waste into drains.

The Court also directed the MCD, Delhi Jal Board, and Delhi Police to strengthen coordination for drain maintenance, sewage management, and enforcement against littering. It asked civic agencies to expedite work on covering open drains and ensuring stormwater drains remain functional before the onset of the monsoon. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 24. LIVE LAW