NHAI to Invest Over Rs 150 Bn in UP Highways Overhaul

28 Jan 2025 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to embark on highway projects worth more than Rs 150 billion to boost cargo and passenger traffic across Uttar Pradesh, according to a senior state official.

Key districts such as Kanpur, Bareilly, Barabanki, Bahraich, Agra, Aligarh, and Gorakhpur will benefit from these developments, which will supplement ongoing highway and expressway initiatives.

“While the detailed project reports (DPRs) for some projects are finalised, others are in the final stages of bidding,” the senior official explained, noting the total budget for these schemes is around Rs 155 billion.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, being constructed by NHAI, is expected to be completed by July 2025. This project will ease traffic congestion between the industrial city of Kanpur and the state capital, Lucknow.

The 594-km Ganga Expressway, initially aimed for completion by the Maha Kumbh, is now projected for launch by March-April 2025. With a cost exceeding Rs 36,000 crore, the project is being developed by the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).

Additionally, an airstrip on the Ganga Expressway is being designed for emergency landings and takeoffs of Indian Air Force (IAF) planes. Similar facilities are already available at the Agra-Lucknow and Purvanchal expressways.

Once the Ganga Expressway and the 91-km Gorakhpur Link Expressway are finished, UP will boast nine access-controlled expressways, spanning over 1,900 km. The state currently manages about 47 per cent of India’s expressway network.

Infrastructure Urban

03 Apr 2026

Centre Disburses Over Rs 24,610 mn in XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released XV Finance Commission tied grants during the financial year 2025–26 to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim and has released withheld portions of tied and untied grants to Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Tripura. The total disbursal exceeded Rs 24,610 mn, with figures expressed in million (mn) thereafter. The releases cover allocations pertaining to different financial years and aim to strengthen rural local governance. State-wise disbursements included Rs 3,324.6 mn for Punjab, Rs 9,432.7 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 3,47..

Centre Releases Over Rs 15 bn as XV FC Grants to Rural Bodies

The Union Government has released over Rs 15 bn in grants recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in six states. The funds comprise tied and untied grants disbursed in FY 2025–26. Telangana received Rs 2.48 bn as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, benefitting 12600 Gram Panchayats (GPs). Uttarakhand received Rs 913.1 mn as the second instalment and an additional Rs 18.4 mn of a withheld first instalment was released to a further 216 GPs. Mizoram is included among beneficiary st..

Government Assures Fuel Supplies And Seafarer Safety Amid West Asia Developments

The Government of India has stepped up coordinated measures to maintain stability in critical sectors as developments in West Asia continue to unfold. It has prioritised uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarded maritime operations and extended consular assistance to nationals. Central authorities are working with State and Union territory administrations to ensure timely information dissemination and operational continuity. Refineries are reported to be operating at high capacity with adequate inventories of petrol and diesel, and domestic LPG production has been increased to support consump..