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 Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..