Fast-track courts help the cause of infra cases

22 Jan 2021 Editorial Team

Justice Secretary Barun Mitra recently informed cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that 22 of the high courts have operationalised these specially designated courts. Some of them set special days every week for exclusive handling of relief matters on infrastructure project contracts.

The special courts of Calcutta, Allahabad, MP and Karnataka within the jurisdiction of the respective HC, have dedicated special days every week to enable exclusive handling of relief matters pertaining to infrastructure contracts, said Mitra.

The law ministry has been entrusted with the task of improving India's ranking on the "enforcing contract" aspect of the ease of doing business ranking. The ministry has been in regular touch with each of the high courts to ensure that separate commercial benches of the HCs and district courts under them are set up to expedite resolution of commercial disputes.

Last month, a review meeting was held on "enforcing contracts", chaired by the justice secretary and attended by other members of the task force constituted for improving India's World Bank ranking. The task force includes members from the department of legal affairs and the high courts of Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Karnataka and department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT). The e-Committee of the Supreme Court is also a member of the task force.

In 2020, India ranked 63rd overall in the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking, a significant jump from the 130th position it held out of 190 countries in 2016. To further expedite time-bound disposal of commercial cases, the government has created 42 additional posts of higher judicial services in Delhi HC.

Image Source

In a move that comes as a boost to India's chances of further improvement in the World Bank ease of doing business rankings, 22 out of 25 High Courts in the country have operationalised designated fast track courts to adjudicate disputes related to infrastructure project contracts. Justice Secretary Barun Mitra recently informed cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba that 22 of the high courts have operationalised these specially designated courts. Some of them set special days every week for exclusive handling of relief matters on infrastructure project contracts. The special courts of Calcutta, Allahabad, MP and Karnataka within the jurisdiction of the respective HC, have dedicated special days every week to enable exclusive handling of relief matters pertaining to infrastructure contracts, said Mitra. The law ministry has been entrusted with the task of improving India's ranking on the enforcing contract aspect of the ease of doing business ranking. The ministry has been in regular touch with each of the high courts to ensure that separate commercial benches of the HCs and district courts under them are set up to expedite resolution of commercial disputes. Last month, a review meeting was held on enforcing contracts, chaired by the justice secretary and attended by other members of the task force constituted for improving India's World Bank ranking. The task force includes members from the department of legal affairs and the high courts of Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Karnataka and department for the promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT). The e-Committee of the Supreme Court is also a member of the task force. In 2020, India ranked 63rd overall in the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking, a significant jump from the 130th position it held out of 190 countries in 2016. To further expedite time-bound disposal of commercial cases, the government has created 42 additional posts of higher judicial services in Delhi HC. Image Source

Infrastructure Transport

18 Sep 2025

Kurla Gets New Elevated Harbour Line Station

Mumbai’s suburban railway network has taken a major step forward with the construction of a new elevated Harbour Line station at Kurla, part of the 5th and 6th line corridor. Over the weekend, Central Railway conducted a 14.5-hour mega block to divert tracks between Kurla and Tilak Nagar, clearing the way for the project.The tracks were shifted westwards to accommodate the elevated station, which will handle both regular Harbour Line services and trains originating or terminating at Kurla. Kurla, a key interchange hub, links the Harbour Line from CSMT to Navi Mumbai and Panvel with the Centr..

Infrastructure Urban

18 Sep 2025

India Plans 500 km Rail Expansion Along Northeastern Frontier

India is set to strengthen its northeastern frontier with the construction of 500 kilometres of new rail lines, including bridges and tunnels, to improve connectivity, accelerate logistics, and ensure military readiness along borders with China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Bhutan. The project is expected to cost Rs 300 billion ($3.4 billion) and is targeted for completion within four years.Though relations with China have recently improved, the infrastructure push reflects India’s long-term contingency planning amid a history of cycles of rapprochement and tension. The new rail corridors will c..

Real Estate

18 Sep 2025

BlackRock Leases Bengaluru Office for Rs 410 Billion

BlackRock Services India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of global asset manager BlackRock Inc, has leased 1.43 lakh sq ft of office space in Bengaluru’s Ashok Nagar for Rs 410 billion over a 10-year period, according to property registration documents accessed by Propstack.The commercial space, located in KNG Tower 1 and leased from IndiQube Space Limited, covers the ground floor and five additional floors. The monthly rent is set at Rs 2.72 billion at Rs 190 per sq ft, with an annual escalation of 5 per cent. A security deposit of Rs 21.75 billion has been paid. The lease transaction was registere..