Centre Approves Rs 45 Bn 6-Lane Highway Project Connecting JNPT to Chowk

20 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a six-lane access-controlled greenfield high-speed national highway, linking Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Pagote to Chowk in Maharashtra. The Rs 45 billion project will be developed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

At present, congestion in urban areas such as Palaspe Phata, D-Point, Kalamboli Junction, and Panvel causes delays of 2-3 hours for vehicles moving from JNPA Port to the Golden Quadrilateral (NH-48) and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The new highway will provide seamless connectivity between JNPA, NH-48, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa National Highway), significantly improving freight movement.

The infrastructure boost comes ahead of the operationalisation of Navi Mumbai International Airport in 2025, addressing the increasing demand for direct road connectivity in the region. The highway is expected to enhance port connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and drive economic growth in the Mumbai-Pune corridor.

Government Approves Rs 106 billion Urea Plant in Assam The Cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of a Rs 106 billion urea plant in Assam as part of its strategy to reduce fertilizer imports and strengthen India’s self-sufficiency in agricultural inputs.

The new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd (BVFCL) in Namrup will have an annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh tonnes of urea. Developed through a joint venture (JV) with a 70:30 debt-equity ratio, the project is scheduled for commissioning within 48 months.

This initiative aligns with the government’s long-term vision of ensuring agricultural security and reducing dependency on foreign imports

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..