Infrastructure
Infrastructure projects see cost overrun of Rs 3.4 lakh cr: MoSPI
Ongoing infrastructure projects show a Rs 3,40,504 crore cost overrun on projects over Rs 150 crore. Over 1,700 projects are monitored, with revised costs significantly higher than original estimates. Many projects are progressing well, with over half showing substantial physical and financial completion. The Transport and Logistics sector leads in project numbers and revised cost estimates.
Chhattisgarh steps up geospatial, logistics planning with two PM GatiShakti pacts
Chhattisgarh signed pacts with BISAG-N and NLDSL to enhance geospatial technology use. These agreements aim to foster sustainable economic growth and attract new investments. The state has onboarded over 35 departments onto the PM GatiShakti platform. GIS-based identification of road black spots improves road safety interventions. Chhattisgarh is recognized as a high performer in operationalizing PM GatiShakti.
Delhi’s 1,459 heritage assets face ‘severe threat’, master plan calls for stronger conservation
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 identifies 1,459 heritage assets facing significant threats. The plan emphasizes enhanced conservation and regular monitoring of these historical sites. Local bodies will establish heritage cells for management and promotion of cultural activities. Adaptive reuse of historic structures is encouraged to prevent degradation and loss. The plan aims to preserve Delhi's rich cultural and historical character for future generations.
Delhi Master Plan 2047: Key highlights of blueprint for housing, metro & Yamuna
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 targets 40 lakh new homes and a 695-km metro network by 2047. It includes redevelopment for unauthorized colonies and housing for slum dwellers. The plan aims to revive the Yamuna river by treating 22 drains and restoring floodplains. Green buffers and afforestation will address noise pollution and enhance the environment. This plan shifts urban planning towards development, investment, and improved liveability for residents.
Manohar Lal Khattar unveils Delhi's 2047 blueprint: 40 lakh homes, 695-km metro & jobs on agenda
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 proposes forty lakh new homes for its growing population. The city's metro network will expand to six hundred ninety-five kilometers by the year 2047. This plan aims to balance urban development with environmental preservation efforts. Affordable housing will be supported through transit-oriented development policies. The plan seeks to make Delhi a world-class, inclusive, and economically vibrant city.
‘Attention is paid to flood & bridge design’: Vaishnaw on Bihar-Nepal highway infrastructure plan
The Union Cabinet approved a ₹3,590.73-crore project to four-lane the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that "bridges are being designed with specific regard for flood conditions, such as those associated with the Bagmati River." He also said "the highway design teams are highly capable" as the project aims to boost Nepal border connectivity.
Consultants of faulty detailed project reports culprits: Nitin Gadkari
"Such poor quality DPR that today on road, 5 lakh accidents occur, and 1.8 lakh deaths, and all have problems of defective DPR," Gadkari said. The minister cautioned contractors against compromising construction quality after winning an infrastructure project. There will be a performance audit in addition to a financial audit, and contractors found wanting will be punished and black-listed, he said. Gadkari said poor-quality DPRs and construction compromises result in economic losses and road accidents.
National Highway builders bat for BOT annuity model to avoid zero-bid scenario
The National Highways Builders Federation said the current BOT (toll) model exposes private developers to an unacceptably high level of risk, citing recent tenders that received no bids. "BOT projects fundamentally depend on a bankable and balanced risk-sharing structure. Without resolving the core concerns around unfair default classifications for traffic drops, dispute resolution and real-cost delay compensations, there is a strong apprehension that upcoming tenders will continue to face zero-bid scenarios and lack of private participation," the federation said.
India resumes rail coach exports to Bangladesh with custom 19-coach LHB rake from RCF Kapurthala
India has resumed passenger coach exports to Bangladesh after a decade, with Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, rolling out a 19-coach rake featuring Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad-gauge coaches, CCTV surveillance, passenger alarm systems, a Baby Care Room and a Prayer Room. The latest rake follows a May 2024 RITES deal with Bangladesh Railway for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches and continues the railway cooperation that began in 2015-16.
PM GatiShakti: 396 infra projects worth Rs 18.66 lakh crore recommended for approval
Nearly four hundred infrastructure projects have been recommended for approval under the PM GatiShakti initiative. These projects, valued at approximately eighteen lakh crore rupees, aim to boost national connectivity. The Network Planning Group has evaluated these proposals, with many already sanctioned and under implementation. This initiative seeks to integrate infrastructure and reduce overall logistics costs across the country. Experts believe Gati Shakti will enhance business competitiveness and create economic advantages.
Must Watch
South Western Railway starts field trials for Mangaluru-Bengaluru Vande Bharat: What we know so far
Indian Railways is conducting field trials of a 20-car Vande Bharat Express on the challenging Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road Ghat section in Karnataka, testing braking, acceleration, stability and operational safety. The 55-km Western Ghats stretch features a 1-in-50 ruling gradient, 57 tunnels, 108 sharp curves and 226 bridges, with successful trials and safety clearances potentially paving the way for a Bengaluru–Mangaluru Vande Bharat service.
Road ministry revises model concession agreement for BOT projects
Some of the key provisions introduced in the revised model concession agreement (MCA) include the buyback option, revenue support to concessionaires and traffic-risk sharing between the concessionaire and the government, making build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects more bankable, risk-free and attractive for the private sector.
‘Lifeline for North Mumbai’: Goyal sets deadline for Bandra-Versova-Bhayander Coastal Road project
Union Minister and Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal reviewed Mumbai Coastal Road projects with BMC officials and said the road would become a “lifeline for North Mumbai”, as authorities target completion of the northern extension by December 2028 to improve connectivity and ease travel across Mumbai’s western suburbs.
Tata Projects bags Rs 670 cr order from RMZ for Chennai commercial project
Tata Projects secured a Rs 670.24 crore order from RMZ. This contract is for the main civil works of a commercial development. The project involves complete core and shell construction for the Chennai site. It includes civil, structural, and architectural works for the development. This order adds to RMZ's growing Chennai property portfolio.
Nepal opens 1st modern tunnel: Japanese-assisted infra to boost India–Nepal trade route
Nepal has opened its first modern road tunnel, the 2.68-km Nagdhunga–Sisne Khola Tunnel on the Tribhuvan Highway, cutting travel time from over an hour to 5-7 minutes and easing movement into the Kathmandu Valley. Built with Japanese assistance through JICA, the project was described by JICA President Akihiko Tanaka as "a project of historic significance" and "a vital gateway connecting Kathmandu with Western Nepal and India". While the tunnel does not directly connect to India, officials say it strengthens a key corridor that carries an estimated 60-70% of goods entering Kathmandu and feeds into major India-Nepal trade routes like Birgunj–Raxaul.
Data centres draw 40% of institutional capital in the June quarter
Data centres are now the second-largest investment recipient, attracting substantial institutional capital. Rapid AI adoption and cloud expansion fuel investor interest in digital infrastructure assets. India's data centre capacity is projected to more than double by 2025. The current investment pipeline for data centres stands at approximately ninety billion dollars.