Centre Approves $41 Million Project to Widen Lava-Pedong Road

11 Mar 2025 CW Team

The central government has approved a Rs 338 crore ($41 million) project to widen and upgrade the Lava-Pedong road, a critical alternative route when National Highway 10 (NH10) faces disruptions. The project, aimed at enhancing road connectivity to Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and ensure smoother travel between North Bengal and Sikkim.

The road expansion will be executed by the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. The project involves converting the existing stretch into a two-lane road with paved shoulders, with completion targeted within two and a half years.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, for approving the project. He stated, “Alongside development projects, social and political concerns would also be resolved for the welfare of the people.”

Residents of Pedong, Lava, and nearby areas have long suffered during monsoons when NH10—the primary highway connecting Sikkim—gets blocked, forcing heavy traffic onto narrower, congested alternative routes. The newly sanctioned project aims to resolve these issues, providing improved connectivity throughout Kalimpong district and ensuring a smoother journey to Gangtok.

With the enhancement of NH-717A, both local commuters and visitors can expect better road conditions, reduced congestion, and more efficient connectivity between West Bengal and Sikkim. The initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the region’s infrastructure challenges while promoting economic growth and social welfare.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..