NHAI finalises contract for 2-laning Kochi-Munnar highway

14 Dec 2022 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently finalised the contract for the proposed two-laning of the 121-km Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway-85 section from Kochi to Munnar.

The 121-km length of the narrow NH-85 that runs between Kochi (Kundannoor) and Munnar will be converted into a two-lane highway as part of a Rs 7.90 billion project. The work will begin in January 2023 and will be finished in 30 months, by mid-2025.

The corridor will include paved shoulders and retention walls along the stretch to prevent landslides. Landslips frequently occur in the mountains over which the road runs, necessitating significant investment in often ineffective damage-control measures.

Moreover, such mishaps restricted driving for days at a time, cutting off people from the mainland.

The completion of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi NH-85 project, which is a main entry point for tourists travelling to Munnar from Kochi, is likely to boost tourism.

A four-lane Greenfield National Highway (NH) in the Kochi-Munnar-Theni corridor of about 151 km is being planned and the project is expected to improve connectivity on the route further.

Once completed, tourists and others are expected to take the newly-upgraded corridor, while commercial traffic would take the greenfield NH which is part of the initiative to improve connectivity between Kochi and Tuticorin ports and would take a different alignment.

See also:
PM unveils Nagpur's Maharashtra Samriddhi Mahamarg
Gadkari inaugurates 7 NH projects worth Rs 24.44 bn in MP

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

CFI Appoints New National Council for FY27 and FY28

The Construction Federation of India (CFI) has announced its newly elected National Council and office bearers for a two-year term covering FY27 and FY28. M. V. Satish, Advisor to CMD and Lead Ambassador for Middle East, L&T, has been elected President; Priti Patel, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Tata Projects, has been appointed Vice President; and Ajit Bhate, Managing Director, Precast India Infrastructures, has taken charge as Treasurer.The newly formed National Council brings together senior leaders from major EPC and infrastructure companies, reflecting CFI’s continued focus o..

India REIT Market Gains Momentum with Strong Returns

India’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market is witnessing strong growth, emerging as a competitive investment avenue both domestically and across Asia. According to a recent ANAROCK report released at EXCELERATE 2026 by NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen, the sector is evolving into a mature asset class driven by solid fundamentals, regulatory backing and rising investor confidence.The introduction of Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) in 2025 has further widened access through fractional ownership, unlocking a potential monetisation opportunity of Rs 670–710 billion. Indian REITs have deli..

G R Infraprojects Secures Rs 4,130 Million BESS Contract From NTPC

G R Infraprojects said it has secured a contract from NTPC to supply and implement a battery energy storage system (BESS) valued at Rs 4,130 million (mn). The company reported the order was awarded as part of NTPC's ongoing efforts to enhance grid flexibility and energy storage capacity. The contract represents a notable addition to the firm's project pipeline and underscores demand for utility scale storage solutions. The award is expected to strengthen G R Infraprojects' presence in the energy infrastructure sector and to contribute to the firm's order book and future revenues, subject to st..