Kolkata-Howrah to be connected through ring road worth Rs 40 billion

17 Mar 2023 CW Team

The twin towns of Kolkata and Howrah may soon be connected by a new Rs 40 billion bridge, which would reduce traffic between the two cities. A news source cited an official as saying that negotiations for the new project are under progress. According to Second Vivekananda Bridge Tollway Corporation (SVBTC) Pvt Ltd CEO Anjan Roy Chowdhury, the proposed road will be 130 kilometres long. However, only commercial vehicles will be permitted to use the highway at first. He stated that the suggestion had been addressed with the West Bengal government’s finance, police, public works, and transport departments. “Nearly 40 per cent of the proposed road exists. Another 60 per cent needs to be constructed," added Chowdhury. On a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis, SVBTC, a technical special purpose vehicle, constructed the Nivedita Setu on the Hooghly river.

More than 90% of 4,800 families approved the purchase of the Deocha-Pachami land. According to West Bengal Electricity Minister Aroop Biswas, more than 90% of the approximately 4,800 families impacted by the Deocha-Pachami coal project have given their agreement for land acquisition. The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute's thorough geological report is anticipated by May, he said, and exploratory drilling in the area has been completed.

“We are now starting the process of obtaining specific family and property information through an app built for the purpose,” he said. According to Biswas, this would provide easy rehabilitation and resettlement for the impacted families who reside in the vicinity of the proposed location of Asia's largest coal mine. According to sources, the government will spend about Rs 100 billion on the rehabilitation and relocation programme. The government estimates that the coal block has a 2.1 billion tonne reserve and has the potential to bring in an investment of Rs 350 billion.

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..