Public Infrastructure Investments Surpass Pre-Covid Levels: Ministry

05 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Rajya Sabha was informed that public infrastructure investments, as a share of the country’s GDP, have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary reported that infrastructure spending by the Union and state governments, along with Central Public Sector Enterprises, reached 5.87% of GDP in 2023-24. This is higher than 5.03% in the previous year and 5.76% in 2019-20, before the pandemic. In absolute terms, investments rose to Rs 17.35 trillion in 2023-24, up from Rs 13.57 trillion in the previous fiscal and Rs 11.57 trillion in 2019-20. The Central government has significantly boosted its capital spending in recent years, leveraging the high-multiplier effect to accelerate economic recovery post-Covid. Annual capital expenditure (capex) growth has ranged from 17% to 39% since FY22. For the current fiscal year, the Centre has allocated a record Rs 11.11 trillion for capex, which includes Rs 1.5 trillion in interest-free, long-term loans to states to support their infrastructure projects. Chaudhary emphasised that this increased investment in infrastructure is expected to stimulate private sector participation. To further attract private investment, the government has promoted public-private partnerships through viability gap funding and reforms to support innovative financing mechanisms like InvITs, REITs, and IDFs. Additionally, long-term infrastructure financing has been bolstered with the establishment of institutions such as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development. (ET)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..