Newsmakers

04 Feb 2025 CW Team

First Indian Iabse President

Dr. Harshavardhan Subbarao has been elected as the President of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) for the 2025-2028 term. He is the first Indian to hold this prestigious position. With over 20 years of active involvement in IABSE, Dr. Subbarao has contributed significantly, serving as Vice President, Executive Committee member, and Chair of several committees, including the Outstanding Paper Award Committee (OPAC). As Chairman of Construma Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL), he brings over 38 years of expertise in bridge and structural engineering. Dr. Subbarao is dedicated to promoting global collaboration and innovation in the field.

Strategic Diversification

Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director, JSW Group, leads the firm which has secured contract for two copper blocks in Jharkhand from Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), marking its entry into non-ferrous mining with a planned investment of Rs 26 billion (bn). The project includes mine operationalisation, a copper concentrator plant, and an ore capacity of 3 MTPA. In parallel, JSW has committed Rs 300 bn for FY25-FY30 to expand JSW Infrastructure's cargo capacity to 400 MTPA. Additionally, recent Rs 3 trillion MoU with Maharashtra aims to bolster investments in steel, renewable energy, EVs, and cement. The recent investment showcases strategic diversification to meet demand for essential metals across high-growth sectors.

Building Connectivity

Devendra Jain, CEO & Managing Director, Dilip Buildcon, leads the company which has constructed Gorakhpur Link Expressway at a cost of Rs 12.50 billion (bn). Spanning 91.35 km, the expressway connects Jaitpur in Gorakhpur to Salarpur in Azamgarh, linking with the Purvanchal Expressway. With 98 per cent work completed, the expressway to reduce Gorakhpur-Lucknow travel time to 3.5 hours. Boasting a four-lane expandable design, it features seven flyovers, 50 underpasses, and industrial corridors to drive regional commerce. Dilip Buildcon’s net order book stood at Rs 173.55 bn, the firm has completed major projects including Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, Bhopal metro and Ahmedabad metro.

First Indian Iabse PresidentDr. Harshavardhan Subbarao has been elected as the President of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) for the 2025-2028 term. He is the first Indian to hold this prestigious position. With over 20 years of active involvement in IABSE, Dr. Subbarao has contributed significantly, serving as Vice President, Executive Committee member, and Chair of several committees, including the Outstanding Paper Award Committee (OPAC). As Chairman of Construma Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL), he brings over 38 years of expertise in bridge and structural engineering. Dr. Subbarao is dedicated to promoting global collaboration and innovation in the field.Strategic Diversification Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director, JSW Group, leads the firm which has secured contract for two copper blocks in Jharkhand from Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), marking its entry into non-ferrous mining with a planned investment of Rs 26 billion (bn). The project includes mine operationalisation, a copper concentrator plant, and an ore capacity of 3 MTPA. In parallel, JSW has committed Rs 300 bn for FY25-FY30 to expand JSW Infrastructure's cargo capacity to 400 MTPA. Additionally, recent Rs 3 trillion MoU with Maharashtra aims to bolster investments in steel, renewable energy, EVs, and cement. The recent investment showcases strategic diversification to meet demand for essential metals across high-growth sectors.Building Connectivity Devendra Jain, CEO & Managing Director, Dilip Buildcon, leads the company which has constructed Gorakhpur Link Expressway at a cost of Rs 12.50 billion (bn). Spanning 91.35 km, the expressway connects Jaitpur in Gorakhpur to Salarpur in Azamgarh, linking with the Purvanchal Expressway. With 98 per cent work completed, the expressway to reduce Gorakhpur-Lucknow travel time to 3.5 hours. Boasting a four-lane expandable design, it features seven flyovers, 50 underpasses, and industrial corridors to drive regional commerce. Dilip Buildcon’s net order book stood at Rs 173.55 bn, the firm has completed major projects including Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, Bhopal metro and Ahmedabad metro.

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

Tripura Rail Survey Approved For Jirania–Bodhjung Link

The Ministry of Railways has approved a Final Location Survey (FLS) for a proposed new railway line between Jirania and Bodhjung Nagar in Tripura. The planned section will span 14 km and is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 million, with the entire alignment located within West Tripura district. The approval marks a key step towards strengthening railway infrastructure and supporting industrial growth in the state. Bodhjung Nagar is Tripura’s principal industrial and commercial hub, developed mainly for resource-based industries such as rubber, bamboo and food processing. The proposed Jirania..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

MCF Raebareli Rolls Out Its 15,000th Passenger Coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a major production milestone with the manufacture of its 15,000th passenger coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said. During the current financial year 2025–26, the unit has produced a total of 1,310 coaches so far. Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli, MCF is among India’s most advanced passenger coach manufacturing facilities. Built at a cost of around Rs 31.92 billion, the factory has an installed annual capacity of 1,000 coaches and is located about 3 km from Lalganj on the Kanpur–Raebareli Roa..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

RVNL Wins Gandak River Rail Bridge Contract

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award from North Eastern Railway for a major railway infrastructure project valued at Rs 1.65 billion. The contract relates to the construction of the substructure for a key railway bridge over the Gandak River. The bridge will be constructed between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations as part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section. Designed to enhance capacity and operational efficiency, the structure will comprise 14 spans of 61 metres each and will be supported by double D-type well foundations. The des..