Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg Tunnel in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on January 13, 2025.

Key attendees included Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Dr. Jitendra Singh, J&K Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, other senior officials, and Tunnel Project Officials.

The Sonamarg Tunnel significantly reduces travel time to 20-25 minutes between Gagangeer and Sonamarg.
The tunnel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies for real-time updates and seamless connectivity.
Work on the Tunnel project began in May 2015 and was completed last year.
The tunnel enhances year-round road accessibility in the Ladakh region.
It is expected to boost trade, tourism, and socio-economic development in regions including Kargil and Leh.
Provides all-weather connectivity and links towards the under-construction Zojila tunnel.

Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited handed over the sixth Scorpene submarine, Vaghsheer, of Project P-75 to the Indian Navy on January 10, 2025. This advanced submarine boasts superior stealth features and the capability to launch precise attacks with guided weapons, including torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whether submerged or on the surface. Vaghsheer is versatile, capable of performing various missions such as Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, and Area Surveillance.

The submarine features a high level of automation with a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System and Combat Management System, integrating diverse equipment, systems, and sensors. It stands out from its predecessors with indigenously developed Air Conditioning and Internal Communication & Broadcast Systems.

Chairman and Managing Director Sanjeev Singhal highlighted that the delivery of the six submarines — Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, and Vaghsheer — reaffirms India’s position in the exclusive group of submarine-building nations.

The Ministry of Defence announced that around 10,000 special guests will witness the 76th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, on January 26. These guests, known as the “architects of Swarnim Bharat,” are recognized for their contributions to various government schemes. They include sarpanches, disaster relief workers, water warriors, handloom and handicraft artisans, SHG members, and ASHA workers.

For the first time, individuals from disaster relief, environmental conservation, renewable energy, and wildlife preservation are being honored. Notable sports achievers, including Paralympic athletes, international sports medalists, patent holders, and top start-up founders, will also attend. Excelling school children from national competitions like the All India School Band and Veer Gatha will be present as special guests.

Besides the parade, these guests will visit key landmarks in Delhi such as the National War Memorial and PM Sangrahalay, and interact with government ministers.

Indusfood 2025, held from January 8 to 10 at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, is Asia’s premier Food and Beverage Trade Show. Organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), this event featured 1,800 exhibitors from 30 countries.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan inaugurated the event, highlighting the importance of the processed food industry for India’s economic growth.

Key events included the Indusfood Innovation Awards, the Sustainable Food Manufacturing Summit, the Global Food Security Conclave, and the World Chefs – Asia President’s Forum.

The show aimed to foster international market linkages, promote cross-border partnerships, and support India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was celebrated from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This flagship event, organized by the Government of India, recognizes the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the nation’s development. The theme for this year was “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event on January 9, 2025, and launched the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train for the Indian diaspora. The event saw participation from over 6,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) from 75 countries, including business leaders, academics, and professionals.

The Indian Railways has completed the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.

Location: The bridge is situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, connecting Katra and Reasi.

Key Features:

Length: 725.5 meters,
Height: 331 meters above the riverbed, with the main pylon rising 193 meters from its foundation.
Design: Asymmetrical with 96 cables ranging from 82 to 295 meters in length.
Divided into four sections, including a 473.25-meter cable-stayed span and a 120-meter viaduct.

Capabilities:

Designed to handle wind speeds up to 213 km/h and train speeds of 100 km/h.
Includes a single railway line, a 3.75-meter-wide service road, and 1.5-meter-wide footpaths on both sides.

Construction Techniques:

Used advanced equipment like the DOKA jump form shuttering system and a 40-tonne tower crane from Spain, reducing construction time by 30%.
Combines Indian codes with Eurocodes and was proof-checked by international firms COWI (UK) and ITALFERR (Italy).
Monitoring System: Integrated with sensors to monitor the bridge’s structural health throughout its service life.

Impact:

Enhances connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley.
Expected to boost tourism and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

The eighth Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 22 (Yard 132), was inducted in Indian Navy on 06 Jan 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The Chief Guest was Cmde Vinay Venkataram, Officer-in-Charge, Fleet Maintenance Unit (Mumbai).

The contract for 11 ACTCM Barges was awarded to M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane, on 05 Mar 2021. Seven barges have been delivered so far. The shipyard has also received a contract to build four Sullage Barges for the Indian Navy, showcasing the Navy’s support for MSMEs.

The barges were designed indigenously in collaboration with an Indian Ship Designing firm and tested at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam. The induction of these barges will enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities by facilitating the transport and handling of ammunition and articles.