Surat-Chennai economic corridor runs into green hurdle

24 Aug 2022 CW Team

A key segment of the ambitious Surat-Chennai economic corridor has hit a serious ecological hurdle. The nearly Rs 140 billion project has run into trouble with the Union Environment Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for infrastructure projects over its proposed 290 km long greenfield Surat-Nashik-Ahmednagar section, which falls in pristine and untouched areas of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.

The EAC has, in a July 21-22 meeting, said that the stakeholder ministry/department should upgrade along the existing National Highway alignment instead of running into 'virgin and ecologically sensitive new parts of Western Ghat areas'.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are preparing to 'appeal' with the Environment ministry to reconsider its view and allow leeway for the national connectivity project which will ultimately link up Delhi to Chennai through an access-controlled corridor.

The project has been a major political and economic talking point for the infrastructure boost it will bring to the region.

"We will appeal with the EAC. Packages for so many segments linking up to this corridor have already been awarded. This was to be an access-controlled expressway - a key link off the Golden Quadrilateral for national connectivity. We are very mindful of environmental concerns and have always prioritised them and the new alignment will in fact reduce affected area and use modern technology to minimise environmental damage. However, there is no other alternative alignment possible and upgrading the existing one defeats the very purpose of the corridor," a senior official was reported to have said.

Infrastructure Transport

02 Sep 2025

AXISCADES Secures USD 1.2 Mn Orders in Aircraft Interiors

AXISCADES Technologies Ltd, a leading technology solutions company serving the aerospace and defence sectors, has announced two significant pilot orders worth USD 1.2 million in the aircraft cabin interiors segment. The orders have been awarded by a global aerospace original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a renowned aircraft cabin interior company headquartered in Europe and the USA.These contracts mark AXISCADES’ strategic expansion into the design, development, and retrofit of aircraft interiors, a high-growth area driven by increasing demand for cabin modernisation and enhanced passenge..

Fortis Leases 200-Bed Hospital in Greater Noida

Fortis Healthcare Ltd has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, International Hospital Ltd (IHL), has entered into a 15-year lease agreement with RR Lifesciences Ltd for a 200-bed operational multi-specialty hospital in Greater Noida. Previously managed by Fortis under an operations and management (O&M) arrangement since October 2022, the facility will now function as Fortis Hospital Greater Noida under the company’s direct operational and financial control.The hospital, located on a 1.35-acre UPSIDA-leased land parcel with a built-up area of 270,000 sq. ft., has scope for expandin..

Syrma SGS, Elemaster Launch JV for Rail, Medtech Electronics

Syrma SGS Technology Ltd, a prominent Indian electronics systems design and manufacturing company, has entered into a joint venture with Italy-based Elemaster S.p.A Tecnologie Elettroniche, a global leader in electronics design and manufacturing. The JV will operate under Syrma SGS Design and Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, soon to be renamed Syrma SGS Elemaster Pvt Ltd.This strategic partnership aims to establish a dedicated India-focused platform serving high-reliability sectors such as railways, industrial electronics, and medical technology. The initial manufacturing unit will be located in Bommasa..