Gadkari to scrap NH projects in Punjab over law and order concerns

12 Aug 2024 CW Team

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has warned that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may have to ?cancel or terminate? eight major highway projects in Punjab, worth Rs 142.88 billion, if the law and order situation does not improve. Gadkari conveyed this ultimatum in a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The warning follows reports of violence and threats related to the ongoing Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway construction. Incidents have included assaults on engineers and contractors in Jalandhar, and threats of arson against project camps and staff in Ludhiana. Gadkari noted that, given these projects are greenfield corridors, canceling even a single package could render the entire stretch "useless." In his letter, Gadkari detailed safety concerns for NHAI officers and contractors, and issues with land acquisition. He included photographs of recent assaults as evidence. Gadkari referred to a review meeting he chaired on July 15, where he was assured that land acquisition and law and order issues would be addressed promptly. However, he noted that there has been no progress and conditions have deteriorated further. The minister reported that several concessionaires have requested to terminate their contracts and have filed claims against NHAI due to ongoing problems. NHAI has already cancelled three projects valued at Rs 32.63 billion due to land acquisition issues. (ET)

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..