Infrastructure
Around 489 road projects face delays over land and clearance issues: Nitin Gadkari
Numerous road projects, initially slated for completion by March 2025, face delays due to land acquisition hurdles and pending clearances. The government is actively collaborating with states and stakeholders to resolve these issues. Cost overruns have occurred due to increased compensation, price escalation, and design changes, leading to contract terminations and re-awarding in some cases.
AIIB building a robust pipeline of Indian projects to fund: Vice-president Pandey
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) aims to expand its presence in India by increasing funding for both sovereign and private sector projects, particularly in clean energy, green mobility, and digital infrastructure. India is currently the largest recipient of AIIB funds, and the bank plans to increase its overall annual financing target, providing more opportunities for Indian projects.
National highways construction pace slows to 29km/day in FY25: Gadkari
India's National Highways construction pace experienced a slowdown, reaching 29 km/day in the last fiscal year, as revealed in Parliament. While this marks a decrease from the 34 km/day in 2023-24 and the peak of 37 km/day in 2020-21, the government has constructed 10,660 km of NHs in 2024-25 and is focusing on greenfield access-controlled expressways to improve logistics efficiency.
India needs $2.4 trillion urban infra investment by 2050: World Bank
The World Bank reports India needs $2.4 trillion by 2050 for urban infrastructure to support a growing urban population, potentially reaching $10.9 trillion by 2070. The report emphasizes the need for private sector involvement and strategic investments in climate-resilient infrastructure to avoid significant economic losses, proposing a task force to address urban financing and climate impact management.
India to need $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build resilient urban infrastructure: World Bank
In its report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and released on Tuesday, the World Bank said that over 50% of the urban infrastructure required for 2050 is yet to be built, giving India a critical opportunity to drive resilient urban infrastructure development.
NABARD sanctions Rs 4,613 cr for rural projects in Arunachal: GM Mishra
NABARD has sanctioned Rs 4,613 crore for 485 infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh, boosting rural connectivity and livelihoods. The institution is committed to inclusive growth, driving rural credit planning, digitisation, and climate-resilient farming. Commemorating its 44th foundation day and the International Year of Cooperatives, NABARD reaffirmed its dedication to building self-reliant rural economies in Arunachal Pradesh.
NHAI GHG Emissions down in 2023-24 despite increase in highway construction
In its Sustainability Report 2023-24, the National Highways Authority of India said it utilised over 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled and reused materials, including fly-ash, plastic waste, and reclaimed asphalt, in national highway construction in 2023-24, in line with the goal of a circular economy.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari lays foundation for NH projects worth Rs 2,042 crore in Karnataka
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation for nine national highway projects in Karnataka, totaling 88 km with an investment of Rs 2,042 crore. He assured projects worth Rs five lakh crore will be undertaken in the state over the next five years.
Gujarat govt sanctions new bridge parallel to collapsed structure in Vadodara
Following the collapse of the Mahisagar river bridge in Vadodara, which claimed 20 lives, the Gujarat government has approved ₹212 crore for the construction of a parallel two-lane bridge near Mujpur. The new bridge aims to restore connectivity between central Gujarat and Saurashtra within 18 months, with the tendering process already underway.
No more fixed highway targets, states can prioritise projects
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is shifting its strategy by collaborating with states on floating targets for highway construction, moving away from fixed targets. This approach offers states flexibility to prioritize projects based on land acquisition progress and regulatory approvals.
Must Watch
Goa govt approves infra projects worth Rs 149 cr
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has sanctioned infrastructure projects worth Rs 149 crore. These projects encompass the construction of a new boys' hostel at Goa Medical College for Rs 113 crore and the reconstruction of a bridge in St Estevam village at a cost of Rs 21 crore.
Quality Check: Roads ministry tightens stricter bid rules for highway projects
The modifications include raising the minimum financial requirement for bidders, for both standard highway projects as well as standalone specialised projects such as tunnels, etc., introducing greater checks on sub-contracting experience and modification of the highways and core sector definitions, said a circular issued by the ministry of road transport and highways.
India’s national highway authority to bid out 124 road projects worth ₹3.4 lakh crore in FY26
India's National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to auction 124 highway and expressway projects worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore in 2025-26, covering 6,376 km. Projects like Gorakhpur-Siliguri will use the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), while Tharad-Ahmedabad will use the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.
NHAI to take up 124 NH projects in 2025-26; to cost Rs 3.5 lakh crore
The toll project length to be awarded stands at 6376 km and 80 of these projects will be built under the hybrid annuity model (HAM), 32 under the engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) mode and 12 under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode.
Road Ministry looks to reboot build-operate-transfer rules
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is revisiting its Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model concession agreement due to the limited success of changes implemented in March 2024. An inter-ministerial committee will convene to explore policy interventions aimed at attracting private sector investment in road projects. Proposals under consideration include revenue loss protection, access to long-term debts and empowering independent engineers.
Will release funds for rural roads as soon as Bihar govt sends survey report: Union minister
Union Minister Kamlesh Paswan assured Bihar of central funds for rural road construction under PMGSY, pending the state's survey proposal for 45,000 km of roads worth ₹76,000 crore. Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir as the first to submit its report, Paswan urged Bihar to expedite theirs.
