Mega IT Projects...

 01

Transportation Projects Awarded $1.5 Billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced on September 15 that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $1.5 billion from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) competitive grant program for highway, multimodal freight and rail projects that will make the nation’s transportation systems safer and more resilient, eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, and improve critical freight movements. 

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law increased funding for the INFRA program by more than 50 percent to help meet high demand for federal funding to support projects across the country. Over the next five years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide approximately $8 billion for the INFRA program, including the $1.5 billion made available in this round of funding.

“Today we are announcing transformative investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, ports, and rail to improve the way Americans get around and help lower the costs of shipping goods,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Using funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are able to support more excellent community-led projects this year than ever before.”

Thanks to a new, streamlined process created by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the burden on state and local entities, applicants were able to submit one application for three different grant programs, including INFRA and two new programs, the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program (RURAL), and the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program (Mega). The recipients of RURAL and Mega grants will be announced in the coming months.

In addition to prioritizing projects that will deliver national or regional economic benefits, INFRA projects were also evaluated based on safety, how they supported freight movement and job creation, their efforts to address climate change and resiliency, impacts on equity and quality of life, how they applied innovative technology, their cost effectiveness, and demonstrated project readiness. Further, USDOT awarded a significant amount of funding to rural areas, historically disadvantaged communities, and areas of persistent poverty to address historic underinvestment in these communities. Approximately 43% percent of awards will go to rural projects, exceeding the statutory requirement to award rural projects 25% of INFRA funding.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also expanded INFRA eligibility to include, for example, wildlife crossing projects, marine highway corridor projects, and surface transportation projects located within or functionally connected to an international border crossing.

Examples of project recipients include the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project, which includes a new road (State Route 11) and Port of Entry facility at Otay Mesa. The new Port of Entry will provide an alternative for nearly 3,600 trucks that cross the existing Otay Mesa and Tecate Ports of Entries daily, which are operating at capacity. The project facilitates freight movement across borders with destinations at nearby distribution centers and warehouses, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Inland Empire’s mega-distribution centers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The project sponsor will establish a local hire agreement targeting disadvantaged groups, as well as a pre- apprenticeship program.

See the full list of proposed awards at the Department of Transportation

02

Sharad Pawar says if PM Modi gives back semiconductor project to Maharashtra, they will welcome it

Express News Service

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that it is difficult to bring Foxconn Vedanta’s semiconductor project back to Maharashtra, if the Prime Minister does it, then they will welcome it.

There is a big uproar in Maharashtra over relocations of mega investment and employment-generating projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat. Oppositions cornered the Shinde-Fadnavis government over the relocations of two mega projects – Foxconn Vedanta’s semiconductor project and Bulk Drug Park (BDS) project from Maharashtra to Gujarat saying Maharashtra’s youth will be deprived of getting jobs.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that he is a little hopeful that once the project – Foxconn-Vedanta’s semiconductor project signed an agreement with the Gujarat government, then it will not come back again in Maharashtra. “It is very unfortunate that the projects are taken away from Maharashtra. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi helps to get back this semiconductor project in Maharashtra, they will welcome it,” Pawar said.

He also criticized some states that are getting extra benefits from the centre, BJP being in power in centre, Gujarat is one of such states that are getting benefits. “I also read that Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has been promised by PM Narendra Modi that the central government will give bigger than semiconductor projects to Maharashtra. It is nothing but if a parent gives a balloon to his one child, then another child starts crying, so to pacify this child, father promises him a big balloon,” Pawar said.

Pawar said that Talegaon locations for semiconductor factories were apt, the reason the automobile industry of Chakan and Ranjangaon was close to it. “Now, there is no point talking over it. It has gone from our hand to Gujarat. We should think of something else that can be developed in Maharashtra. Maharashtra was the preferred location for investment, but now present leaders are not excited about bringing investment to the state. Whether they are worried and concerned about the state's development is also a big question,” Pawar said.

Meanwhile, the NCP youth wing did the ‘Lollipop’ protest against the Shinde-Fadnavis government in Pune and Mumbai. Supriya Sule, NCP leader said that they will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request him to give back semiconductor projects to Maharashtra. “As a mother of children like others, I am concerned that our children should get jobs. The jobs will be available when the big projects are set up in the state,” Ms Sule said.

Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant said that there was no official agreement with Foxconn Vedanta for setting up a semiconductor project in Maharashtra therefore we cannot say that the project was snatched away from Maharashtra and given to Gujarat. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that it is difficult to bring Foxconn Vedanta’s semiconductor project back to Maharashtra, if the Prime Minister does it, then they will welcome it. There is a big uproar in Maharashtra over relocations of mega investment and employment-generating projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat. Oppositions cornered the Shinde-Fadnavis government over the relocations of two mega projects – Foxconn Vedanta’s semiconductor project and Bulk Drug Park (BDS) project from Maharashtra to Gujarat saying Maharashtra’s youth will be deprived of getting jobs. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that he is a little hopeful that once the project – Foxconn-Vedanta’s semiconductor project signed an agreement with the Gujarat government, then it will not come back again in Maharashtra. “It is very unfortunate that the projects are taken away from Maharashtra. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi helps to get back this semiconductor project in Maharashtra, they will welcome it,” Pawar said. He also criticized some states that are getting extra benefits from the centre, BJP being in power in centre, Gujarat is one of such states that are getting benefits. “I also read that Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has been promised by PM Narendra Modi that the central government will give bigger than semiconductor projects to Maharashtra. It is nothing but if a parent gives a balloon to his one child, then another child starts crying, so to pacify this child, father promises him a big balloon,” Pawar said. Pawar said that Talegaon locations for semiconductor factories were apt, the reason the automobile industry of Chakan and Ranjangaon was close to it. “Now, there is no point talking over it. It has gone from our hand to Gujarat. We should think of something else that can be developed in Maharashtra. Maharashtra was the preferred location for investment, but now present leaders are not excited about bringing investment to the state. Whether they are worried and concerned about the state's development is also a big question,” Pawar said. Meanwhile, the NCP youth wing did the ‘Lollipop’ protest against the Shinde-Fadnavis government in Pune and Mumbai. Supriya Sule, NCP leader said that they will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request him to give back semiconductor projects to Maharashtra. “As a mother of children like others, I am concerned that our children should get jobs. The jobs will be available when the big projects are set up in the state,” Ms Sule said. Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant said that there was no official agreement with Foxconn Vedanta for setting up a semiconductor project in Maharashtra therefore we cannot say that the project was snatched away from Maharashtra and given to Gujarat.

03

Saudi Neom’s Mega Projects: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to smart, innovative, and futuristic projects, NEOM never fails to surprise us! With the numerous investment opportunities it offers, NEOM has become the place to invest for a better, progressive future.

1. The Line

Part of NEOM’s vision includes building a zero-carbon city that is expected to house about 9M people and extend for around 170 km! The city, known as The Line, will be completely run by renewable energy and will have no place for roads, cars, or emissions! The project aims to prioritize the well-being of those living in the city while also preserving the environment. 

2. OXAGON

NEOM’s second project includes building an innovative city, known as OXAGON, where state-of-the-art technologies are brought right to your fingertips! Through OXAGON, Saudi Arabia aims to grow the economy by bringing together industry 4.0 technologies, automation, and innovative solutions to create a new future.

3. TROJENA

Just because NOEM will have all these tech-savvy and environmentally friendly projects does not mean it will not have tourist attractions as well! As a way to align with its principles of sustainability, NEOM introduced TROJENA, a place where people can enjoy mesmerizing landscapes, nature, and innovation.

4. Green Hydrogen Project

The Green Hydrogen Project is a joint venture between NEOM’s water and electricity subsidiary, ENOWA, ACWA and Air Products. Through this project, the three partners aim to produce and export world-class ammonia. This project will also include developing the world's largest green hydrogen plant in NEOM, which further supports the Kingdom’s mission in a sustainable and net-zero city.

5. Hydrogen and Innovation Development Center (HIDC)

ENOWA is also leading the way for the creation of the first hydrogen and innovation center to help push for more research on clean fuel. In addition to using hydrogen fuel cell technology, HIDC will also work with Aramco on the development of synthetic fuel.

6. Vertical Mobility System 

NEOM and Volocopter, a personal air vehicles specialist, started working together to develop the world’s first public vertical mobility system. Given the fact that there will be no roads or cars, this project will serve the way for air taxis to take over and revolutionize the way people commute within NEOM.

Ultimately, at the heart of NEOM is the drive to create a sustainable and innovative city that brings a better and cleaner way for people to live and work.