Proposed Tunnel Project in J&K Stalled Due to Cost and Infra Concerns

18 Apr 2025 CW Team

The proposal to construct two tunnels — Singhpora-Vailoo and Sudhmahadev-Dranga — on the Anantnag-Chenani corridor in Jammu and Kashmir has been halted. The Public Investment Board (PIB), headed by the expenditure secretary, rejected the recommendation, citing multiple reasons for the decision. The estimated cost for building both tunnels was nearly Rs 90 billion.

Officials from the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) clarified that an existing road already connects the origin and destination of the proposed tunnels. Additionally, the roads in question were not classified as strategic by the defence ministry, as per discussions in the March meeting.

The PIB also noted that NHIDCL had failed to provide detailed traffic data for both the existing and proposed routes. Despite reviewing several public-funded projects, the inter-ministerial panel found no clear direct benefits from the tunnel project.

Citing the good quality of the existing infrastructure, the PIB concluded that the tunnels were unnecessary. As a result, the J&K double tunnel project will be delayed indefinitely, with the Ministry of Road Transport directing that no new projects would be approved under the Bharatmala scheme without Cabinet approval for works exceeding Rs 10 billion.

Since the two tunnels fell under this category, they were dropped from the appraisal process by both the PIB and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Appraisal Committee, largely due to budget constraints and the presence of adequate existing infrastructure.

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..