Latest news with #NationalHighwaysAuthority
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Renewables energy, roads, realty to get Rs 17.5 trillion investments
MUMBAI: The renewable energy, roads and real estate sectors are seeing improved investor interest and are likely to see a 15% incremental investment inflows annually, taking the net cash-flows to these areas worth Rs 17.5 trillion over this and next fiscals, compared to the Rs 13.3 trillion in the preceding two fiscals. In fact these sectors are seeing varied trends with renewable energy seeing accelerated adoption of storage-linked capacities, a sharper focus on monetisation is on the cards in the roads sector. On the other hand, premiumisation in residential real estate and an influx of global capability centres in commercial realty are driving realignment of offerings by developers, Crisil Ratings said in a report Monday. Amidst this, says Krishan Sitaraman, the chief ratings officer at the agency, 'what remains constant across these three sectors is the strong investment growth and over this fiscal and the next, investments may rise 15% annually, reaching Rs 17.5 trillion compared to the Rs 13.3 trillion in the preceding two fiscals.' In the renewable energy space, to address the intermittency of power supply, there is a transition towards hybrid or storage-backed capacities, which facilitates scheduling of power round-the-clock with greater confidence. Of the 75 gw capacity to be added in this and next fiscal, hybrids will account for 37% from 14% during the past two fiscals. In roads, which have a significant multiplier effect on the economy, a pick-up in project awarding will be important to revitalise sectoral growth. For the National Highways Authority to reach its previous highs of 6,000 km/year of awards and execution, a substantial rise in private capital through acceleration in asset monetisation will be essential.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Transport woes persist for Kunniyoramala residents amid NH 66 construction
Sixty-two-year-old K.V. Ramakrishnan recalls the death of a neighbour three months ago. The resident, whose family did not wish to be named, died of a heart attack after a doctor from a nearby hospital was unable to reach him due to a lack of transport access. A former fisherman, Ramakrishnan, lives in Four Cent Colony in Kunniyoramala near Koyilandy taluk, Kozhikode district, where residents face persistent transport issues, exacerbated by the 'encroaching' construction of National Highway (NH) 66. On May 8, the residents launched a protest demanding the restoration of transport services and raising objections to the land acquisition process. The protest was temporarily suspended after Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, the project director, and National Highways Authority officials met them during a meeting held on May 28 and assured that their concerns would be addressed within 20 days. 'We will decide our next step once a decision is made,' said Shajith O.P., convener of the Kunniyoramala Samyuktha Samara Samiti. 'We are not against development, but compromising basic transport facilities and safety cannot be considered progress,' he added. Mr. Shajith pointed out that Kunniyoramala has remained cut off since the hill was split during NH 66 construction, leaving residents without access to emergency transport. Concerns over landslides are also growing, with new cracks appearing on the hill and supporting cement walls weakening. Many displaced residents have returned to their houses in high-risk zones after the government reportedly failed to provide the promised rental support. 'How can daily wage workers afford months of rent?' asked K.P. Sunil Kumar a resident. 'We wouldn't be living in fear if land acquisition had been completed,' he added. Residents said they have raised these concerns repeatedly over the last three years but have received little response from authorities. They were particularly disheartened by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh's remarks during a recent visit, where he reportedly told them to wait through another monsoon and said land acquisition would take place only in the event of a landslide. 'What guarantee do we have that a landslide won't happen next monsoon?' residents asked, recalling the previous year's landslide, which forced them into relief camps. This time, however, residents are hopeful as the issue surrounding the NH construction has gained more visibility. While no date has been fixed for a follow-up meeting, residents hope for a timely and lasting solution.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
No flexes now: Kerala Congress leader slams state, Centre over highway collapse
Kerala Leader of Opposition and Congress legislator VD Satheesan condemned both the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government and the Centre following Monday's collapse of an under-construction highway in Malappuram district. 'Nobody wants to install flex boards and take credit now,' Satheesan said, referring to the earlier publicity blitz celebrating the project. 'What the government is promoting the most on the eve of its fourth anniversary is that they fulfilled the national highway project. But who is really responsible for the collapse — the Chief Minister, the state government or the central government?'advertisementSatheesan alleged widespread irregularities in the construction of the highway, calling it 'unscientific' and accusing the state government of rushing the project for electoral gains. 'The state government has no coordination with the National Highways Authority. Drinking water supply lines have been broken. There are not even underpasses in many places. If the rains start, lives will be at risk,' he added, demanding six-lane National Highway-66 which is being built collapsed near Kooriyad in Tirurangadi on Monday, raising serious concerns over construction quality and public safety. The protective wall of the elevated highway crumbled onto a car on the service road near the Kooriyad service station. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The collapse, which occurred along the Kozhikode –Thrissur stretch, prompted a swift diversion of traffic in the area. advertisementHowever, this was not an isolated incident. Cracks have been reported in Chavakkad, Thrissur, while fresh damages surfaced in Kuppam, Kannur — indicating broader structural issues in the ongoing highway construction National Highway 66 project is one of the flagship infrastructure initiatives under the Vijayan government, which has spent nearly Rs 5,000 crore on land acquisition alone, given the high real estate costs in the however, credited the project's land acquisition success to the UPA-era Right to Fair Compensation Act, arguing that the current government is merely 'showing off' due to a lack of real Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Muhammad Basheer stated that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had assured him that appropriate action would be taken.
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Ministers discuss 25-year plantation alongside motorways plan
ISLAMABAD: A major national initiative is being launched to plant fruit-bearing trees and undertake large scale afforestation along the motorways across the country. A comprehensive 25-year plan is being developed with minimal involvement of government departments proposing to lease land to the private sector for this purpose. Immediate steps will be taken to make this proposal feasible and actionable which will be a milestone for green future of Pakistan. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, while chairing a special meeting alongside Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik emphasised that making the environment greener and more pleasant is not only a social responsibility but also a moral and religious obligation. He stressed the need for integrated planning to plant trees not only along motorways from Karachi to Quetta but also on National Highways in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. He called upon agricultural experts and farmers to actively participate in this noble cause and national drive. Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik directed the preparation of concrete proposals within the next three days and agreed to the implementation of the plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications. Aleem Khan assured full support from his ministry in terms of data sharing, land identification and other necessary aspects. He emphasised that improving the environment and enhancing the travel experience on motorways is a top priority and fruit trees should be planted according to the agricultural suitability of each region. He stated that expanding green areas along the motorways would have a positive impact and this project would play a significant role in ensuring an eco-friendly future. The meeting was attended by the chairman of the National Highways Authority, Inspector General of Motorway Police, and senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change, who contributed various suggestions for the project. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
M-6 & M-9 motorways: Aleem says $2bn projects in Sindh to begin this year
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced that the $2 billion projects for the M-6 and M-9 Motorways in Sindh are scheduled to begin this year. While chairing a high-level meeting of the National Highways Authority (NHA) Central Zone, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that the government aims to commence work on the Mansehra, Naran, and Kaghan motorways in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period. He stated that the Quetta-Karachi N-25 highway in Balochistan is also being upgraded into 4 lanes motorway-standard. Additionally, significant motorway projects connecting Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Karachi in Sindh are also being initiated. Aleem Khan requested detailed plan for the 18-kilometre link road from Lahore to Kasur and emphasised that NHA's presentations should be purposeful and of high quality. He instructed the Central Zone officials to expedite the pace of ongoing projects to ensure timely completion. The federal minister asserted that public accountability was paramount and that mismanagement or corruption would not be tolerated. He stressed that the NHA must fulfil its responsibilities with integrity. In his remarks, Aleem Khan reiterated that no compromise would be made on the quality of the work which should be up to the mark by all means. He directed the NHA to enhance the aesthetics and cleanliness of entry points to cities and to ensure that new highways adhered to predetermined standards of maintenance and beautification. During his visit to the NHA Central Zone Headquarters, the federal minister planted a tree and received a briefing on the department's performance alongside the federal secretary for Communications and the chairman of NHA. Aleem Khan encouraged officers to work with dedication and diligence, assuring them that their rightful benefits would be granted and that honest officials would be duly recognised and encouraged. He also directed the NHA officials to hold a joint meeting with the Ring Road Authority to resolve pending issues without any further delay. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
