Govt eyes next phase of airport privatisation in 2025-26 budget

11 Nov 2024 CW Team

The central government is set to initiate the next phase of airport privatisation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, anticipated to kick off following the 2025-26 Budget, according to government sources. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is finalising a proposal, which will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Finance before heading for Cabinet approval. Pre-bidding consultations are expected after the Budget, with the process potentially beginning by the end of 2024-25.

The government aims to accelerate this phase of privatisation, aiming for an official Budget announcement by the Finance Minister. Under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), 25 airports under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have been marked for leasing between 2022-2025. These include airports in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, Amritsar, and Coimbatore, among others, intended to benefit from private-sector efficiency and investment.

The first wave of the new privatisation phase will focus on 13 airports, with seven major airports—Vijayawada, Bhubaneswar, Tiruchirappalli, Indore, Raipur, Amritsar, and Varanasi—set to be paired with smaller facilities like Kushinagar, Gaya, and Hubballi. This structure seeks to enhance management and development through private partnerships, aligning with statements from Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, who emphasised the improvements for both states and passengers.

This renewed focus follows a year-long slowdown due to state and general elections, yet major players remain keen. Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL), which operates key airports in Mumbai, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad, is eager to expand its portfolio, while GMR Airports Infrastructure seeks both domestic and international opportunities, with interest in regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia. (Moneycontrol)

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..