India Fast-Tracks Big Infrastructure to Boost Growth

12 Sep 2025 CW Team

India is shifting its policy focus to fast-tracking approvals for large-scale infrastructure projects under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ plan, following the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. Government officials said ministries have been instructed to prioritise projects of national importance, especially those spanning multiple states or transforming entire sectors.

The road transport ministry aims to construct 50,000 km of access-controlled highways over the next 10–12 years at an estimated cost of Rs 20 billion. The Union Budget for FY26 allocated Rs 11.21 billion for infrastructure spending, with public-private partnerships (PPP) expected to play a key role in projects with strong return potential, easing pressure on state finances. Officials noted that bundling projects will accelerate approvals, with PPPs as the primary financing mechanism for high-return ventures. The strategy is designed to support India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth in Q1 FY26 amid global tariff pressures and geopolitical risks.

The World Bank has emphasised that India needs to raise its real investment rate from 33.5 per cent of GDP to 40 per cent by 2035 to sustain long-term growth. Rising infrastructure needs underpin the nation’s urbanisation, climate commitments, and economic development goals. Capital expenditure surged to Rs 2.75 billion during April–June 2025, representing 24.5 per cent of the full-year target, reflecting the government’s investment in large-scale projects to stimulate growth and employment.

Meanwhile, global rating agency Fitch, citing the robust 7.8 per cent growth in Q2 2025, revised its FY26 growth forecast upwards to 6.9 per cent from the 6.5 per cent projected in June.

Infrastructure Urban

03 Oct 2025

Indian REITs Association Joins Global REIT Alliance

The Indian REITs Association (IRA) has become a member of the Global REIT Alliance, a coalition representing the global Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector. The alliance, launched at the European Public Real Estate Association’s 2025 ReThink conference in Stockholm, aims to promote cross-border cooperation, policy dialogue, and market standardisation for the growth of REITs as an investment asset class.The Global REIT Alliance, which includes members from 24 countries, focuses on promoting global awareness of securitised real estate, supporting sustainable investment, providing indust..

Vande Bharat May Soon Connect Chennai and Rameswaram

Southern Railway plans to introduce a Vande Bharat Express between Chennai and Rameswaram following the completion of electrification on the 53-km Ramanathapuram–Rameswaram section.A proposal has been submitted to the Railway Board to operate the new daytime service from either Chennai Egmore or Tambaram, aiming to ease congestion on existing overnight trains along the 600–660 km route.Officials noted that while the section is cleared for electric locomotives, a 220-metre gap near Uchipuli will undergo trials before the Vande Bharat is introduced. The final route will consider travel time,..

RITES Partners with Etihad Rail to Boost Infrastructure Collaboration

RITES, a leading transport infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE-based Etihad Rail to enhance business collaboration with its subsidiary, National Infrastructure Construction Company (NICC).The partnership aims to combine RITES’ five decades of expertise in consultancy, transport infrastructure, and engineering with NICC’s execution capabilities, creating synergies for infrastructure projects across the UAE and other regions.The MoU was signed by HE Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, and Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Di..