It is heartening to note the announcement of ambitious target of 20,000 MW of solar power during 2017-18. If we look back seven years before when the National Solar Mission was announced the target until year 2022 was kept as 20,000 MW.

True to its expectations, Budget 2017 has spelt out road maps and allocations across various initiatives of the Central Government and the Finance Minister has done an excellent job of managing the expectations. Initiatives to real estate industry has been spoken at length where the sentiments have been largely positive.

We welcome the government decision to bring affordable housing in the infrastructure sector. Also, definition of affordable housing changed to make it more practical to build and market. Now, we can expect focus on building more affordable housing projects, also rural housing will get big push.

There was a lot of anticipation and apprehension about Budget 2017. There was enough to satisfy those anticipating, and relief for those who were apprehensive. The big push to expenditure for farmers, rural sector, affordable housing and infrastructure will give a fillip to growth and employment.

I would term it as a reform-oriented budget where the expenditure was well directed towards economic growth and development, especially in the rural areas. It also reflected the government’s concern and priority to improve the investment climate with a view to stimulate growth. The massive push for improvement in infrastructure including record capital expenditure for roads, railways will indirectly benefit the real estate sector in the long run.

Orolia, the worldwide leader in Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions, has formed a strategic alliance, including an equity investment, with Satelles Inc to develop, market and sell PNT solutions based on Satelles’ Satellite Time and Location (STL) signal technology.

A green panel has deferred its decision on granting environment clearance to Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL) for setting up of a Rs 334.72 crore coal washery in Odisha and asked it to get forest clearance first, and also sought other inputs.

The Italian construction equipment association continues to expand its membership in the branch of tower cranes. Eng Cranes Srl is the new Unacea member of this sector.

We are launching globally renowned CASE Crawler Dozers in India with three new models – 1150L, 1650L and 2050M in the 13 T, 18 T and 20 T operating weight range powered with FPT Industrial engine, significant for the roads and mining sector.