Centre Reviews Over 7,700 km Of National Highway Projects

02 Jul 2026 CW Team

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality, maintenance and progress of National Highway projects in Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during separate meetings held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra was also present for the review meetings. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said the review covered National Highway projects spanning 4,931 km in Telangana, 2,035 km in Jammu and Kashmir and 804 km in Ladakh, amounting to over 7,700 km.\n\nThe meetings drew on feedback from media reports, social media and inputs from officials of MoRTH, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and project contractors. Officials presented detailed updates on project timelines, maintenance schedules and contractual compliance for the identified stretches. Follow-up actions were agreed to address reported defects and accelerate remedial works where required.\n\nThe Minister assessed the status of ongoing projects and the measures being taken to ensure delivery of safe, efficient and durable highway infrastructure. He directed officials and executing agencies to expedite project implementation while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability. He also instructed the strengthening of monitoring mechanisms and the timely completion of projects. The adoption of advanced construction technologies and best engineering practices was urged to improve durability, riding comfort and long-term performance of National Highway corridors.\n\nThe review also examined preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season and the need for preventive and mitigation measures across all project stretches. Officials were instructed to prioritise effective drainage management, slope stabilisation and protection works and to deploy rapid-response systems to minimise weather-related disruptions. Emphasis was placed on the role of well maintained highways in improving regional connectivity, facilitating economic growth, promoting tourism and enhancing commuter convenience. A schedule of inspections and periodic audits was proposed to ensure continued oversight and timely resolution of identified issues.

Infrastructure Transport

21 Jul 2026

Second TBM begins Mumbai bullet train undersea tunnel

The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) has begun excavation of the 7-km undersea tunnel beneath Thane Creek for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, marking another milestone in the construction of India's first undersea rail tunnel.The TBM commenced its drive from Sawli (Ghansoli) towards Vikhroli as part of the project's 21-km underground section. Of this, 16 km between Sawli and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) will be excavated using TBMs, while the remaining 5 km has already been completed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). The first TBM began tunnelling from Vikhroli towa..

Joint Solar eyes growth as India's power demand rises

Joint Solar expects rising electricity demand in India to create new growth opportunities for the solar sector, particularly across the residential, commercial and industrial markets.The company said government estimates indicating that the country's peak power demand could reach 300 GW next year are likely to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy as additional generation capacity is required to meet rising consumption.According to Joint Solar, increasing economic activity, urbanisation and higher electricity usage are driving demand for clean energy solutions. The company expects growin..

Matrix Geo wins Central Railway survey contract

Matrix Geo Solutions has secured a Rs 12.4 million contract from Central Railway to conduct precision track geometry surveys covering more than 300 km of railway lines using advanced geospatial technology.The company received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for the project, which will be executed over 18 months. The surveys are intended to assess track alignment, identify irregularities and support corrective measures to improve railway safety, operational efficiency and maintenance planning.According to the company, the technology enables highly accurate measurement of track geometry, helping en..