Infrastructure
NHAI to come up with public InvIT to attract retail investors
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to introduce a public infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) alongside its existing private InvIT to broaden the investor base and foster competition. NHAI has identified 24 road assets, totaling 1,472 km, for monetization in 2025-26, expecting annual revenue of ₹1,863 crore.
Road ministry to monitor impact of projects under Bharatmala Pariyojana
The Road Transport Ministry will monitor the impact of highway projects. This includes economic, logistical, and social factors. Environmental effects and road safety are also key. The Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to improve connectivity. It also seeks to reduce travel time and logistics costs. Projects covering 26,425 km have been awarded. 18,714 km has been constructed so far.
Extreme weather is stress-testing India’s billion-dollar infrastructure drive
Early monsoons in India caused damage to newly built infra. Mumbai's metro line faced flooding, disrupting services. A highway section in Kerala collapsed, injuring several people. Landslides in northeast India stranded tourists. These events raise concerns about the durability of India's infrastructure projects. Experts highlight the need for better planning and climate resilience.
India commits $20 bn for maritime infrastructure development, says Sarbananda Sonowal
India has pledged USD 20 billion towards infrastructure development, prioritizing multimodal logistics, port connectivity, and trade facilitation, according to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. He emphasized India's growing maritime capabilities and called for greater partnerships in seafarer recruitment. Strategic corridors like IMEEC, EMC, and INSTC are strengthening maritime connectivity and supply chains.
Cities have failing infra and poor crowd management SOPs say urban planners
A tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, following an RCB celebration, resulted in 11 fatalities, exposing critical flaws in the city's urban planning and crowd control measures. Experts criticize the lack of robust SOPs and active master plans in Indian cities for managing large gatherings.
Telangana to build 80 acre eco-town inspired by Japan's Kitakyushu city
Telangana is set to develop an 80-acre eco-town inspired by Kitakyushu, Japan, focusing on sustainable development. This initiative follows a cooperation agreement aimed at boosting Japanese investment and collaboration on Net Zero targets, circular economy, and clean technologies. The government will also explore direct flights between Hyderabad and Kitakyushu to strengthen ties.
ADB commits $10 bn plan for India's urban transformation
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged up to USD 10 billion towards India's urban transformation over the next five years, focusing on metro extensions and infrastructure development. This initiative aims to attract private investment through the Urban Challenge Fund and improve urban infrastructure in 100 cities.
Andhra four-lane corridor receives cabinet approval
The 108.134 km, four-lane Badvel-Nellore Corridor on national highway (NH) 67 will be built on design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) mode. It will provide connectivity to important nodes in the three industrial corridors of Andhra Pradesh-Kopparthy node on the Vishakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, Orvakal node on Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor and Krishnapatnam node on Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor-and will have a positive impact on India's Logistics Performance Index, said a government statement.
NHAI starts trial run of underpasses on Dwarka Expressway
To ease traffic between Delhi and Gurugram, NHAI has started testing the Dwarka Expressway tunnel. This trial run will happen for three hours daily. The goal is to check traffic flow and safety. The tunnel has CCTV and emergency exits. It aims to connect the expressway to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Centre to invest additional Rs 1,000 cr in inland waterways projects in Assam, Northeast in 2026: Union Minister
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal assessed Assam and Northeast projects. The goal is to complete Rs 1,000 crore worth of projects by 2026. Focus is on waterways infrastructure development. This includes projects on Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. The aim is to improve connectivity and promote economic growth. Initiatives also include skill development for the youth.
Must Watch
82-km Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor to be ready by June end as last leg of project in final stage
Travel time between Delhi and Meerut will soon reduce. The Namo Bharat corridor is almost ready. The 82-km stretch will connect Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut. 55 km is already operational. Trial runs are underway on the remaining sections. The corridor has served over one crore commuters. Meerut Metro will share the same infrastructure.
Uttar Pradesh sets two world records in road construction within 24 hours
Uttar Pradesh achieved two world records in 24 hours by constructing a 10-kilometre crash barrier and laying 34.24 lane kilometres of bituminous concrete road. This accomplishment earned the state entries in the Golden Book of World Records, Asia Book of Records, and Indian Book of Records. Patel Infrastructure Ltd. set the record on the Ganga Motorway Project.
Centre approved national highway projects worth Rs 13,000 cr in Odisha in FY'26: Minister
The central government has approved national highway projects worth Rs 13,000 crore in Odisha for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The state government aims to complete Rs 2,000 crore worth of road construction by September. The Sambalpur-Cuttack national highway project, delayed due to financial issues, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Uttar Pradesh government to develop 12 e-way hub across two expressways at Rs 425.43 crore
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to develop twelve modern e-way hubs. These hubs will be along the Purvanchal and Bundelkhand Expressways. UPEIDA has created a master plan for seamless services. Eight hubs are planned for Purvanchal Expressway. Four hubs will be on Bundelkhand Expressway. These hubs will feature airport-grade facilities. Modern restrooms and amenities for all will be available.
Conveyor lines in border states slow down for security amid India-Pakistan escalation
Indian manufacturers are modifying factory operations in Gujarat, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan. Companies like Amul and Dabur are altering work timings and halting night shifts. Some businesses are encouraging migrant workers to return home. Supply chains are facing disruptions. Blackouts in Punjab are causing production losses, especially for SMEs without backup generators. Contingency plans are in place.
Road ministry to convert 30,000 km two lane highways into four lane; invest Rs 10 lakh crore: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized infrastructure development as crucial for India's economic strength. The highways ministry plans to convert 25,000-30,000 km of two-lane highways into four lanes with a Rs 10 lakh crore investment, utilizing the InvIT model.
