Chouhan Unveils Rs 80 bn Rural Road Projects

04 May 2026 CW Team

The schemes are designed to connect 363 habitations through 330 roads covering approximately 1,600 km, with a focus on last?mile links to education, healthcare and markets. Officials described the approvals as the first under PMGSY?IV for the region and said prioritisation of Jammu and Kashmir in both phases placed it at the forefront of rural connectivity initiatives. Authorities characterised the package as historic for rural infrastructure.

A separate mother sanction exceeding Rs 45.68 billion (Rs 45.68 bn) was released under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana?National Rural Livelihoods Mission to support self?help groups in 24 states and Union territories. The Centre indicated the funding would strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and financial resilience and aimed to transform participants into sustainable income earners through targeted livelihood support and capacity building.

The minister outlined agricultural measures to accompany the connectivity push, acknowledging small landholdings, difficult terrain and adverse weather as constraints. He said the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme would promote quality planting material, nurseries and scientific farming, and that a team from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research would assess climate, soil and water resources to prepare a roadmap. Integrated farming and allied activities were identified as income enhancers.

The Centre assured continued support for subsequent phases and said implementation progress would determine future approvals. The minister conveyed a message of service and stressed that development must translate into tangible improvements, with the J&K administration expected to carry forward inclusive growth.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled rural road projects worth Rs 80 billion (Rs 80 bn) at the Sher?i?Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar and handed over the sanction letter for projects totalling Rs 35.66 billion (Rs 35.66 bn) under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana phase four (PMGSY?IV), batch two, to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The announcement framed the schemes as part of a wider drive to improve connectivity and spur development in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The schemes are designed to connect 363 habitations through 330 roads covering approximately 1,600 km, with a focus on last?mile links to education, healthcare and markets. Officials described the approvals as the first under PMGSY?IV for the region and said prioritisation of Jammu and Kashmir in both phases placed it at the forefront of rural connectivity initiatives. Authorities characterised the package as historic for rural infrastructure. A separate mother sanction exceeding Rs 45.68 billion (Rs 45.68 bn) was released under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana?National Rural Livelihoods Mission to support self?help groups in 24 states and Union territories. The Centre indicated the funding would strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and financial resilience and aimed to transform participants into sustainable income earners through targeted livelihood support and capacity building. The minister outlined agricultural measures to accompany the connectivity push, acknowledging small landholdings, difficult terrain and adverse weather as constraints. He said the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme would promote quality planting material, nurseries and scientific farming, and that a team from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research would assess climate, soil and water resources to prepare a roadmap. Integrated farming and allied activities were identified as income enhancers. The Centre assured continued support for subsequent phases and said implementation progress would determine future approvals. The minister conveyed a message of service and stressed that development must translate into tangible improvements, with the J&K administration expected to carry forward inclusive growth.

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

Systematix Posts FY26 Revenue Growth And Declares 10 Per Cent Dividend

Systematix Corporate Services Limited has reported audited results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2026, signalling steady revenue growth and continued strategic investment to support expansion. The firm reported ongoing business momentum across its core financial services and noted platform building in private wealth and asset management. The board recommended a 10 per cent dividend for FY26, continuing a consistent shareholder payout record. Management indicated that investments in technology and talent aim to build long-term scale. Total income from operations for FY26 rose five pe..

Infrastructure Transport

04 May 2026

Maharashtra Guarantees Rs 60 bn Loan For Purandar Airport Land

The Maharashtra government has cleared a state guarantee for a Rs 60 bn loan that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) will raise to fund land acquisition for the proposed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport at Purandar in Pune district. The guarantee will remain in force for one year, within which the borrowing must be tied up and the proceeds deployed for buying land and disbursing compensation to affected farmers. A formal government resolution to this effect was issued on Friday. About 3,000 acres are slated to be acquired for the greenfield airport, with t..

Building Material

04 May 2026

Cement Production Up Eight Point Six Per Cent To 491.4 mn t In FY26

Icra reported that cement production volumes rose by eight point six per cent in the financial year 2026 to 491.4 million (mn) metric tonne (t). March output was 48.4 mn t, up four per cent year on year on a high base. The agency projected that volumes are expected to grow by seven to eight per cent in the current financial year, supported by sustained demand from the housing and infrastructure sectors. Average cement prices were reported to have remained flat in March at Rs 340 per bag on a month on month basis, while prices for FY26 increased by two per cent to Rs 345 per bag year on year. A..