Expert Panel Clears Varanasi To Kolkata Expressway

12 May 2026 CW Team

The alignment will traverse the districts of Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah and will pass through a recognised tiger landscape. Project documents recorded that about 40,000 trees are expected to be felled in non-forest areas and about 10,000 trees in forest areas. The proposal includes engineering and mitigation measures intended to maintain connectivity for wildlife and reduce ecological impacts along the corridor.

The minutes noted that the Jangal Mahal elephant corridor lies approximately seven point seven five kilometres to the south of the proposed alignment and that elephant corridors intersect the existing highway at several locations. The study area hosts 17 Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, including jackal, sambar deer, striped hyena, Indian fox, Indian elephant and leopard. To facilitate safe passage, the National Highways Authority of India has proposed 20 elephant-cum-wildlife underpasses at designated locations.

The expert appraisal committee recommended that wildlife crossing structures be provided strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the divisional forest officer (DFO), including spans of 300 metres where prescribed, and that no underpass have a span smaller than the DFO prescription. The committee further advised that the wildlife underpasses be eight to 10 metres in height to accommodate large fauna. The minutes set out conditions intended to ensure that construction proceeds in line with forest and wildlife safeguards before final clearance is granted.

An expert panel of the environment ministry recommended environmental clearance for a 235 km greenfield expressway linking Varanasi and Kolkata, noting that the project will require diversion of more than 103 hectares of reserved and protected forest land in West Bengal. The road forms part of a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project to build a four-to-six lane expressway at an estimated cost of Rs 92.5 billion (Rs 92.5 bn). The recommendation was made at the 444th meeting of the expert appraisal committee (EAC) held between April 23 and April 24. The alignment will traverse the districts of Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah and will pass through a recognised tiger landscape. Project documents recorded that about 40,000 trees are expected to be felled in non-forest areas and about 10,000 trees in forest areas. The proposal includes engineering and mitigation measures intended to maintain connectivity for wildlife and reduce ecological impacts along the corridor. The minutes noted that the Jangal Mahal elephant corridor lies approximately seven point seven five kilometres to the south of the proposed alignment and that elephant corridors intersect the existing highway at several locations. The study area hosts 17 Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, including jackal, sambar deer, striped hyena, Indian fox, Indian elephant and leopard. To facilitate safe passage, the National Highways Authority of India has proposed 20 elephant-cum-wildlife underpasses at designated locations. The expert appraisal committee recommended that wildlife crossing structures be provided strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the divisional forest officer (DFO), including spans of 300 metres where prescribed, and that no underpass have a span smaller than the DFO prescription. The committee further advised that the wildlife underpasses be eight to 10 metres in height to accommodate large fauna. The minutes set out conditions intended to ensure that construction proceeds in line with forest and wildlife safeguards before final clearance is granted.

Infrastructure Urban

12 May 2026

Greenply Launches Ecotec Prime Plywood

Greenply Industries has launched Ecotec Prime, strengthening its economy plywood portfolio with a product designed to offer both fire and water protection. The plywood combines IS 5509 certified fire-retardant technology with Boiling Waterproof grade performance.The company said the launch addresses a gap in the affordable plywood segment, where safety-led features have largely been limited to premium categories. Backed by a 20-year warranty, Ecotec Prime is positioned for homes, offices, commercial spaces, hospitals, hotels, malls and government projects.Greenply said the product aims to make..

Infrastructure Energy

12 May 2026

BorgWarner Wins Two Asian Powertrain Orders

BorgWarner has secured two new conquest programme awards in Asia, strengthening its propulsion and drivetrain business. The awards include a latest-generation wet dual clutch for a Chinese OEM’s SUV platform and a torsional assist variable cam timing system for a Japanese OEM’s next-generation hybrid engine.The wet dual clutch combines high-performance wet friction materials with an optimised groove design to reduce drag torque, improving transmission efficiency and fuel economy. It also offers smoother launch and shift performance at lower actuation pressure, while an integrated wave spri..

Real Estate

12 May 2026

42MM Designs Climate-Responsive Summer Home

42MM Architecture has introduced Spaces That Breathe: Designing Homes Around Summer Rhythms, a residence designed around the realities of Indian summers. The home responds to heat through built form, orientation, shading and material use rather than relying primarily on applied systems.The design is arranged as layered volumes, with projecting upper floors, recessed glazing, shaded edges, vertical fins and screened facades helping reduce heat gain while supporting controlled ventilation. A central landscaped court brings light and air into the house, while living areas are oriented towards thi..