Q1 witnesses accelerated highway construction

04 Jul 2023 CW Team

According to data available at June-end, it was observed that highway construction had accelerated by 9.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of the current financial year. However, new contracts reached a five-year low.

Officials stated that during the quarter, a total of 2,150 kilometres of highways were built, but only 600 kilometres of new projects were awarded.

In the corresponding months of the previous year, India had constructed 1,966 kilometres of highways and awarded 969 kilometres. A senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that highway construction in the first quarter of the fiscal year exceeded the average of the last four years, which was 2,057 kilometres.

Officials mentioned that highway construction could have progressed even faster if it weren't for the irregular rains.

Additionally, sector watchers speculated that the upcoming state assembly elections in December might cause some delays once the model code of conduct for the polls comes into effect.

Also read:
Increased cost for Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway travel from July 1
MoRTH invites bids for construction of bypass road in state of Odisha

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..