Landslide Halts Rs 250 Million Road Project in Odisha

23 Jun 2025 CW Team

A major landslide triggered by intense overnight rainfall has struck a key road-widening site near Kalinga Ghat in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, causing a section of a newly built hill embankment to give way. The incident, which occurred late on Monday night, fortunately resulted in no casualties.

Initial reports indicate that a stone-reinforced retaining wall, constructed as part of an ongoing highway expansion project, collapsed due to water saturation, sending large amounts of debris cascading down the hillside.

Two heavy-duty JCB machines stationed at the site were dragged downhill as the unstable ground beneath them collapsed. Officials confirmed that no personnel were present at the immediate location during the incident.

The Rs 250 million infrastructure project, aimed at widening and securing the accident-prone stretch of the Kalinga Ghat road, has now been temporarily suspended pending a full technical assessment. The project has been under development for over two years and was intended to improve safety and traffic flow in the region’s steep terrain.

According to engineers, the embankment—reinforced with stone blocks to stabilise the hill’s edge—failed to withstand the intense downpour, highlighting the vulnerability of such structures in monsoon-prone, hilly regions.

Though the incident appears to be caused by natural factors, district authorities have ordered a detailed inspection of the site. The findings of this technical evaluation will guide potential modifications in the construction approach and determine the revised timeline for the resumption of work.

The event has sparked broader concerns about the resilience of hill-road infrastructure during seasonal extremes, particularly with the increasing frequency of heavy rainfall events.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..