World Bank To Back Rs 28 Billion Loan For Gurugram Metro Phase Two

12 May 2026 CW Team

Gurugram's metro expansion moved closer to a key approval as Gurugram Metropolitan Rail Limited advanced a loan proposal with the World Bank for phase two. The financing was described as being for an amount of Rs 28 billion (Rs 28 bn) and was expected to cover around 60 per cent of phase two of the project, which aims to widen rapid transit capacity across the city and relieve congestion in major corridors.

A World Bank delegation carried out visits to Panchkula after earlier consultations in Gurugram to evaluate planning, sustainability measures and execution readiness for the scheme. Project teams completed environmental and social impact assessments and aligned project design with transit oriented development principles while strengthening last?mile connectivity. Officials indicated that documentation on these elements had been submitted in support of international financing and that preparatory work on procurement and contract frameworks was under way.

The loan proposal remained under advanced review and approval was anticipated by the end of July pending a scheduled meeting of India's Department of Economic Affairs. A GMRL official said the World Bank applied its own parameters, that discussions had been positive and that the department meeting in July was expected to consider the loan. Project authorities continued to address conditions required by international lenders and to refine technical and financial documents to meet lender criteria.

If approved, the funding would accelerate construction schedules and support measures intended to improve operational sustainability and passenger access. Authorities planned further coordination on procurement, compliance and integration with existing urban transport networks to maintain implementation readiness. Continued alignment with sustainability and social safeguards remained central to securing the loan and to delivering the expanded metro capacity once formal sanctioning occurred.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..