DND Flyway Work Delayed as GRAP-IV Extends Timeline

06 Jan 2026 CW Team

Upgradation work on the DND Flyway has recently faced temporary disruption, leading to an extension of completion timelines by a few weeks. The delay follows the imposition of GRAP-IV measures across the National Capital Region due to hazardous air quality conditions.

Road improvement activities, categorised as polluting work, cannot be undertaken while GRAP-IV restrictions remain in force. As a result, continuity of planned construction schedules has been impacted.

Noida Toll Bridge Company had awarded the DND Flyway upgradation project and commenced preliminary activities in the third week of October 2025, after completing all preparatory work including materials, manpower mobilisation and detailed execution planning. The original completion target was end-December 2025 to January 2026.

However, statutory curbs under GRAP-IV pushed the commencement of key upgradation activities towards December 2025, resulting in a delay of nearly five weeks. In addition, based on technical recommendations, a portion of the work scheduled earlier cannot be executed during peak winter conditions, as it requires specific temperature parameters to ensure quality outcomes. This phase is now planned for January.

These factors have collectively affected construction progress, and work is currently on hold in compliance with regulatory directives. Once GRAP-IV measures are lifted and conditions become conducive, the remaining activities are expected to be completed within approximately five weeks, extending the timeline into February 2026.

The company said it remains committed to maintaining world-class infrastructure standards on the DND Flyway, ensuring commuter safety and smooth traffic movement, while coordinating closely with authorities to resume works at the earliest permissible opportunity.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..