Valparai Municipality Takes Over Sholayar Road for Repairs

16 Jan 2026 CW Team

The long-neglected road leading to Sholayar has been officially handed over to the Valparai Municipality, clearing the way for long-awaited repair and maintenance works. Officials said the nearly 3-kilometre stretch, which has remained in poor condition for more than a decade, will be upgraded once it is formally brought under municipal control.

The road was previously managed by Sholayar Estate and serves as a vital access route for residents of areas such as Nallakathu Estate and Mudis. Hundreds of people rely on the stretch daily as their primary means of transport, making its condition a persistent concern for local communities.

Despite repeated appeals from residents, the municipality was unable to carry out repair works earlier as the road did not fall under its jurisdiction. Public frustration over the delay led to multiple protests, including a recent demonstration by political organisations that drew attention by planting banana saplings on the damaged road surface.

Municipal officials said the estate management has now agreed to hand over the entire width of the road to facilitate proper reconstruction. Earlier, the estate had proposed transferring only half the width, but officials said this would have been insufficient for building a durable road.

An official from the municipality’s engineering wing said the road connects several villages and estates and has long been under pressure for repairs. Following approval from the district collector and the Directorate of Municipal Administration, the road will be assigned a unique municipal code, after which a tender will be floated and repair works will commence.

The municipality also plans to take over additional estate roads in the coming months as part of efforts to improve connectivity and road infrastructure in the Valparai region.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..