Odisha to Get Kharagpur-Visakhapatnam Expressway Soon: Minister

22 Nov 2024 CW Team

A new greenfield highway connecting Kharagpur in West Bengal and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, passing through Odisha, is set to be constructed soon. This expressway is poised to become a vital logistics corridor, enhancing high-speed transportation in the region.

Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan shared that preliminary preparations for the project have already commenced. He emphasised that the expressway would play a crucial role in the Gati Shakti Framework of the Central government, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative in road construction for Odisha.

Greenfield roads typically traverse undeveloped areas, leading to lower land acquisition costs and fostering new zones for development alongside other advantages.

According to sources, the 783 km-long expressway project is making steady progress. Ten firms have submitted bids to prepare the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) having opened technical bids on November 5, 2024. MoRTH had invited tenders in June 2024, setting a 1.5-year timeline for completion. A total of 18 bids were received—10 for Package 1 and 8 for Package 2.

The next phase involves a detailed technical evaluation of the bids, a process expected to take a few months. Once completed, the financial bids of the technically qualified consultants will be opened to select the lowest bidder for each package.

Sources further indicated that if contracts are awarded in the first half of 2025, the DPRs could be finalised by the end of 2026. Subsequently, after approvals, land acquisition, and clearances, construction is anticipated to commence around 2028.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..