Despite second Covid wave, highway construction at 28 km per day in April

26 May 2021 CW Team

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and limitations on movement in most parts of the country, highway construction in April quadrupled this year to 853 km compared to the same month last year, which saw an entire nationwide lockdown.

The speed of construction was 28 km per day in April 2021, though as it declined by 61% month-on-month.

According to data by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), every implementing agency including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), had built 210km of national highway in April previous year. In March 2021, a complete total of 2,189 km of highway were built.

Highway development reached an all-time high of 13,298 km in 2020-21 at a record speed of 36.4 km per day. In April this year, project awards also progressed to 311 km from 260 km as awarded last year.

Investigators attribute the report construction to a slew of industry-friendly measures that the government had taken proactively during the pandemic year, including those to assure better cash flow to the builders.

Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd (CRISIL) told the media that despite the pandemic, NHAI granted projects of a total of 4,818 km last year- a three fiscal high.

NHAI has established an ambitious 4,600 km highway development target for the current fiscal. Previous fiscal, NHAI constructed a record 4,192 km, above from 3,979 km constructed in 2019-20, and 3,380 km in 2018-19.

CRISIL added that despite Covid-19 in the previous fiscal, the national highways sector did a great job, taking on higher project awards, construction, and traffic that exceeded after lockdown limitations decreased in the second half.

CRISIL said that the second wave of Covid-19 slowed this momentum, but it may not have a material bearing on growth for the current fiscal.

Image Source

Infrastructure Urban

08 Apr 2026

UniAcoustic, Vicoustic Form UniVicoustic Alliance

UniAcoustic, part of United Group, has acquired a strategic stake in Portugal-based Vicoustic, forming a new alliance branded as UniVicoustic. The agreement, signed in Mumbai, marks a significant cross-border partnership aligned with evolving India–EU trade dynamics.The collaboration brings together Vicoustic’s global expertise in architectural acoustic products with UniAcoustic’s manufacturing scale and distribution capabilities. The combined platform aims to expand market reach, integrate technology and optimise supply chains across key regions.The development comes amid progress in th..

Dalmia Bharat, Delhi PWD Revamp Under-Flyover Spaces

Dalmia Bharat has partnered with the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Delhi, to redevelop select under-flyover spaces and a road stretch into sustainable urban hubs. The agreement covers key locations including Lodhi Flyover, Oberoi Flyover, Mangi Bridge and Hanuman Setu.Under the initiative, the company will undertake design, landscaping, plantation and long-term maintenance of the sites, with a defined upkeep period of three years after completion. The project aims to improve urban aesthetics while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity restoration in high-densit..

Versigent Debuts as Independent NYSE-Listed Company

Versigent has launched as an independent publicly traded company following its separation from Aptiv, with shares commencing trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “VGNT”. The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s transition into a standalone global player in power distribution systems.The company specialises in the design, manufacturing and delivery of low- and high-voltage electrical architectures, supported by engineering centres across four continents and manufacturing operations in over 25 countries.Versigent reported revenues of $8.8 billion, net inco..