Soil Tests Underway For 13.5-km Elevated Corridor Along East Coast Road

06 Apr 2026 CW Team

Soil investigations have started along the East Coast Road in Chennai for the 13.5-km Thiruvanmiyur–Uthandi elevated corridor. The contractor has set up temporary barricades on medians while conducting tests at 430 locations where pillars are planned. The corridor will be a four-lane structure and is expected to take a little over three years to build. Excavation of shallow boreholes and trial pits will mark the initial field work.

The project carries a budget of Rs 21 billion (Rs 21 bn) and aims to ease traffic congestion on the popular coastal stretch. Geotechnical teams will extract soil samples to determine the depth and sequence of sand, clay, soft rock and hard rock layers. Investigations will extend to depths of up to 25 metres to inform foundation design. Laboratory testing will assess bearing capacity, compressibility and groundwater conditions to support safe design.

An engineer associated with the work said samples would be analysed by the design department to determine foundation types and other structural parameters. The tests are scheduled over the next few months and will guide the design of pile foundations and related structures. Officials indicated that soil data will also influence construction sequencing and resource allocation. The design department will model load transfer and select suitable pile lengths and diameters based on the soil profiles.

Local travel is expected to be affected during the testing phase by temporary barricades and periodic drilling activities, and authorities have advised motorists to follow diversion signage. Project managers plan to incorporate the geotechnical findings into detailed drawings before commencing major piling and superstructure work. Once underway, the elevated corridor is intended to improve travel times and urban connectivity along the East Coast Road. Stakeholders expect the findings to reduce unforeseen delays during construction and to refine cost estimates.

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..