India targets pothole-free highways

29 Sep 2023 CW Team

Under the BOT model, the responsibility for highway maintenance lies with the contractor, ensuring the creation of high-quality roads that require minimal ongoing maintenance costs, as stated by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the government plans to engage young engineers and is actively exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels in road construction. Projects exceeding Rs 5 billion will predominantly use the BOT and HAM models, while the EPC model will remain in use for smaller road sections.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mapped the entire 1,46,000-kilometer national highway network and is developing performance-based maintenance and short-term maintenance contracts to eradicate potholes by December 2023. Additionally, the ministry is crafting a policy to encourage the use of municipal waste in road construction, promoting waste segregation facilities.

In an effort to reduce costs and dependency on fossil fuels, the ministry is also working on a draft policy to incentivise the use of alternative fuels in construction equipment. Interest subvention schemes and financial incentives are being considered to encourage investment in equipment powered by alternative fuels.

Furthermore, the ministry is exploring innovative technologies for the development of electric highways, particularly between Delhi and Jaipur, where electric traction will enable the operation of electric buses similar to the railway system. These initiatives aim to decarbonize the transportation sector and drive India towards a sustainable and pothole-free road network.

The Indian government is finalising a comprehensive plan to eliminate potholes on the country's national highways by December 2023. This initiative involves shifting the construction focus from the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for government projects under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Under the BOT model, the responsibility for highway maintenance lies with the contractor, ensuring the creation of high-quality roads that require minimal ongoing maintenance costs, as stated by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. To achieve this ambitious goal, the government plans to engage young engineers and is actively exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels in road construction. Projects exceeding Rs 5 billion will predominantly use the BOT and HAM models, while the EPC model will remain in use for smaller road sections. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mapped the entire 1,46,000-kilometer national highway network and is developing performance-based maintenance and short-term maintenance contracts to eradicate potholes by December 2023. Additionally, the ministry is crafting a policy to encourage the use of municipal waste in road construction, promoting waste segregation facilities. In an effort to reduce costs and dependency on fossil fuels, the ministry is also working on a draft policy to incentivise the use of alternative fuels in construction equipment. Interest subvention schemes and financial incentives are being considered to encourage investment in equipment powered by alternative fuels. Furthermore, the ministry is exploring innovative technologies for the development of electric highways, particularly between Delhi and Jaipur, where electric traction will enable the operation of electric buses similar to the railway system. These initiatives aim to decarbonize the transportation sector and drive India towards a sustainable and pothole-free road network.

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

Indian REITs Offer 6-7.5 per cent Yield, Surpassing Many Global Markets

Indian Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are delivering average yields of 6–7.5 per cent for unitholders, outperforming many mature markets, including the US, according to a report by Credai and Anarock.Credai, the apex body of Indian real estate developers, and property consultant Anarock released the report Indian REITs – A Gateway to Institutional Real Estate at an event in India.Currently, India has five listed REITs – Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, Nexus Select Trust, and Knowledge Realty Trust. Nexus Select Trust pr..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Sep 2025

Insolation Energy Wins 226 MW Solar Projects Under PM-KUSUM

Insolation Energy on Monday announced securing multiple solar projects totalling 226.45 MW, with an investment of Rs 7.5 billion, under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The orders were awarded to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Insolation Green Energy Pvt Ltd, by Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited for 20 sites and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited for 115 sites, the company informed the exchanges.“The combined SPV solar power plants will total 226.45 MW under PM-KUSUM Component A, with the final levelised tariff at Rs 3.04 per unit for 16 sites, Rs 2.82 per unit for 5 sites, Rs 2.75 per unit for 53 sites, ..

Infrastructure Energy

17 Sep 2025

Numaligarh Refinery Awards EPC Contract for Rooftop Solar Projects

State-owned Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) has awarded a Letter of Award to Solarium Green Energy Ltd. for the rate contract covering the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects at various locations. The projects fall within the categories of 51–200 kW and 201–1000 kW. Notable projects include a 140 kW rooftop solar plant at NRL Assam, a 760 kW plant at NRL Assam, and a 280 kW plant at NRL West Bengal.The supply order covers ex-manufacturing works and the dispatch price for plant and equipment for the 140 kW, 760 kW, and 280 kW rooftop s..