(SDNA) Madhya Pradesh Roundup: Urban Development, Youth Skills, Road Safety, Pesticide Restrictions and Inclusive Engineering

Indore | October 15, 2026

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing developments across urban infrastructure, employment-oriented skill training, road safety awareness, agricultural chemical regulation and workplace inclusion. Here are five key updates highlighting the state’s development priorities and ongoing initiatives.

1. Indore to Host Urban Development Conclave on October 28; Projects Worth ₹2,753 Crore in Focus

Banking agreements and project award letters to accelerate infrastructure development across Indore, Ujjain and Rewa

(SDNA) Indore: Madhya Pradesh will host a state-level Urban Conclave at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore on October 28, bringing together urban development experts, investors, financial institutions, startups and young professionals to discuss infrastructure expansion and project implementation.

The event will focus on projects approved under the Urban Challenge Fund, with a combined investment value of ₹2,753.10 crore. Discussions are expected to centre on financial management, implementation timelines and mechanisms to ensure that approved projects progress efficiently.

Water Supply, Sewerage and Temple-Area Development on the Agenda

Key projects include strengthening Indore’s water distribution and sewerage networks, developing an integrated temple area in Ujjain, and implementing an inclusive water supply scheme in Rewa.

Agreements with banks and financial institutions will be undertaken during the conclave. Letters of Award will also be issued to agencies associated with project execution.

Opportunities for Investors and Young Professionals

The initiative aims to attract investment, improve essential civic infrastructure and promote transparent financial management. Participation will also provide an opportunity for startups and young professionals to engage with the urban development sector.

Interested participants can register online at http://ugconclave.mp.gov.in/.

The conclave is expected to strengthen coordination among government agencies, financial institutions and implementing partners while supporting improved urban amenities and economic activity across the state.

2. IndiaSkills 2026–27: Registration Closes on October 19; Youth Can Compete Across 63 Skill Categories

No specific educational qualification required; eligibility is linked to date of birth

(SDNA) Indore: Young people seeking to demonstrate their practical abilities and build opportunities through skill-based competition have an opportunity to participate in IndiaSkills 2026–27. Online registration for the competition is scheduled to close on October 19, 2026.

According to Reena Solanki, principal of the Government Divisional Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Indore, participants will be assessed across 63 skill categories. The competition aims to recognise practical competence and provide a platform for talented individuals to demonstrate their capabilities.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

As per the eligibility details provided by the institute, applicants must have been born after January 1, 2006. No specific educational qualification has been prescribed as a mandatory requirement.

Eligible candidates can register online through the Skills India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal.

ITIs Can Help Candidates With Information

Young aspirants seeking clarification about registration, competition procedures or other requirements can contact their nearest government Industrial Training Institute.

Important date: October 19, 2026 — last date for online registration.

The competition offers young people an opportunity to showcase their skills and pursue further avenues for professional development. Applicants are advised to verify the eligibility conditions and registration details on the official portal before submitting their applications.

3. Road Safety Awareness Drive at Sushila Devi Bansal College Focuses on Accident Prevention

Students learn defensive driving, hazard recognition and responsible road behaviour through educational videos

(SDNA) Indore: Promoting safer roads begins with informed and responsible road users. With this objective, a road safety awareness programme was organised at Sushila Devi Bansal College in Indore, where students were introduced to practical measures for preventing road accidents, particularly while riding two-wheelers.

The programme was conducted under the Adarsh Road Safety Nagar Project by the Asian Road Safety Academy (ARSA) and Honda India Foundation (HIF), under the guidance of the Higher Education Department, Indore.

Recognising Hazards Before They Become Accidents

Dr. Prerna Arora Singh explained that road safety involves more than knowing traffic rules. Drivers must also anticipate unexpected situations, identify potential hazards and make timely decisions to avoid collisions.

Educational videos demonstrated how sudden vehicle movements, unpredictable actions by other road users and changing traffic conditions can create dangerous situations.

Students were advised to maintain controlled speeds, keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead and adjust their driving according to road and weather conditions. The importance of wearing seat belts in four-wheelers and protecting the safety of fellow road users was also emphasised.

Building Safer Habits Among Young Drivers

The programme sought to encourage students to translate road safety awareness into everyday behaviour rather than treating traffic rules as theoretical knowledge.

Road safety nodal officer Dr. S. K. Ujle, college director Dr. Rajesh Kumar Chakravarty, principal Dr. Rajesh Arya, dean Dr. Vikesh Gupta and registrar Dr. Vijay Bisen attended the programme, along with college staff and a large number of students.

The initiative highlighted the importance of early awareness, responsible driving and preventive action in reducing road accidents.

4. Madhya Pradesh Issues Restriction Directives on Paraquat Dichloride; Companies Told to Dispose of Remaining Stocks

Highly toxic herbicide poses serious health risks; farmers advised to verify the legal status of agricultural chemicals

(SDNA) Indore: Madhya Pradesh’s Agriculture Department has issued directives concerning restrictions on paraquat dichloride, a highly toxic chemical used for weed control and the rapid drying of green plant tissues.

According to the information provided by the department, the state’s Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department has directed action against the manufacture, sale and storage of the chemical. Manufacturers have also been instructed to return their registration certificates to the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee and arrange for remaining stocks to be recalled and disposed of through the prescribed procedure.

Serious Risks to Human Health

Paraquat dichloride, sold under trade names such as Gramoxone, is a highly toxic herbicide. Although it has been used in certain agricultural applications, exposure can have severe consequences for human health.

If ingested, paraquat can cause serious damage to vital organs, particularly the lungs and kidneys. There is no specific antidote for paraquat poisoning, making prevention and prompt medical attention in suspected exposure cases especially important.

Farmers Urged to Check Product Authorisation

Farmers should avoid using any chemical covered by an applicable prohibition and verify whether a pesticide is legally authorised for the intended crop and purpose before use.

Agricultural workers should follow product safety instructions and avoid direct contact with hazardous chemicals. Any remaining restricted stock must be handled and disposed of in accordance with the applicable official directions rather than being reused or discarded indiscriminately.

SDNA Perspective: Agricultural productivity must go hand in hand with the protection of farmers, farm workers, consumers, livestock and the environment.

Regulatory clarification: The precise legal scope and effective date of the restriction should be confirmed against the applicable government notification before publication or enforcement-related interpretation.

5. Women and Engineers With Disabilities Take on Key Technical Roles at MP Transco

Women oversee transmission-line maintenance in Indore, while engineers with disabilities contribute to transformer testing and maintenance in Bina

(SDNA) Indore: Technical competence, professional training and teamwork are enabling women and engineers with disabilities to contribute to critical electricity transmission operations at Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Limited (MP Transco).

Women engineers are involved in maintaining transmission lines and extra-high-tension substations, while engineers with disabilities are contributing to transformer testing, preventive maintenance and other technical responsibilities.

Women Engineers Support Transmission Reliability in Indore

Neelam Khanna, additional chief engineer at MP Transco, oversees transmission-line maintenance in the Malwa region.

Executive engineer Namrata Jain has also supervised line-related work undertaken during scheduled shutdowns to help maintain uninterrupted electricity transmission during festival periods in Indore.

At the city’s extra-high-tension substations, women engineers including Vinita Bhavsar and Nutan Sharma contribute to equipment testing, maintenance and efforts to maintain the reliability of the transmission network.

Engineers With Disabilities Contribute to Transformer Maintenance in Bina

At the 220 kV substation in Bina, two engineers with disabilities participated alongside colleagues in post-monsoon maintenance of a 200 MVA power transformer.

Rishikant Sen, an assistant engineer trainee posted at the 400 kV Testing Division in Bina, has a missing right hand. Junior engineer trainee Shubham Shrivastava also contributes to technical inspection and maintenance activities.

Working under the guidance of executive engineer Archit Shrivastava, with technical support from assistant engineer Rajat Jain, the two engineers participate in routine maintenance, preventive inspections and breakdown-related work.

Inclusive Participation Across Departments

Other employees with disabilities are also performing professional responsibilities in different parts of the organisation. These include executive engineer Vikas Shrivastava in the procurement department, assistant engineer G. P. Rai at the Testing Division in Tikamgarh, and accounts officer Neha Gupta.

Their contributions highlight the importance of providing appropriate training, workplace support and opportunities based on professional capability.

The broader message: Inclusive workplaces can strengthen technical teams by recognising individual skills and creating opportunities for qualified professionals to contribute meaningfully, regardless of gender or disability.

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SDNA | Madhya Pradesh News Roundup

From urban infrastructure investment and youth skill development to safer roads, agricultural chemical regulation and inclusive technical employment, these five developments reflect important dimensions of governance and public welfare in Madhya Pradesh.