National Highway from Ongole to Rajahmundry to be Widened

07 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Centre has given the green light to widen the national highway running along the coastline from Ongole to Rajahmundry. The current NH-216 will be expanded into four-lane and six-lane highways. This expansion is expected to promote marine cargo transport and draw fresh investments into the sector, significantly benefiting coastal fishing communities in Bapatla, Krishna, and the Godavari districts.

The decision came after the director-general of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Dharmananda Sarangi, conducted an inspection of the highway. After travelling from Chirala to Kattipudi, he acknowledged the need to upgrade the road and instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit a report to the ministry. He also ordered tenders for consultants to prepare the detailed project report (DPR).

The DPR will cover the stretch from Kattipudi (near Rajahmundry) to Machilipatnam in the first phase, and from Machilipatnam to Ongole in the second phase. The first phase will cover 229 km, with the second phase covering 161 km. The entire 390 km-long highway upgrade is expected to significantly boost the regional economy by making the coastline an attractive option for marine exporters and cold chain operators.

The project will also aid the state's beach tourism sector, with numerous beach resorts already flourishing in and around Chirala town. The government is optimistic that more resorts will emerge due to the new tourism policy. Sources revealed that NHAI has decided to implement a bypass near Bhimavaram to address issues that delayed the Pamarru-Digamarru-Akiveedu stretch.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..