MoRTH revises BOT and TOT agreements to boost private sector investment

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a number of revisions to the model concession agreements (MCA) for build-operate-transfer (BOT) and tolling, operation, maintenance, and transfer (TOT) projects.

15th Cement EXPO to be held in March 2025 in Hyderabad

Cement EXPO 2025, which will be held along with the 10th Indian Cement Review Conference and the 8th Indian Cement Review Awards, promises to be bigger, drawing in greater participation, fostering more profound discussions and showcasing the continued evolution of the cement industry.

Revolutionising the Indian Cement Industry

Indian Cement Review hosted the ICR Conference and Awards 2023 and the 14th Indian Cement EXPO with top notch companies, industry experts and thought leaders. Kanishka Ramchandani presents a special report.

Indian Cement Industry Set to Build 100-150MT Capacity

The 14th Cement Expo and 9th Indian Cement Review Conference 2023 flags off

Navigating the Road Ahead

The market for sensor pavers is expected to grow at 7-8 per cent CAGR over five years.

No Bumps in the Road

India has been investing significantly in infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, highways, and expressways. This investment has driven the demand for road construction equipment.

Delhi to hold FCC’s India Roads Conference on 12th Oct

To be hosted at Hotel Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi, the conference will witness more than 25 experts, policymakers, and industry leaders discussing innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and funding opportunities that promise to revolutionise the road construction landscape in India.

Haryana roads, bridges approved by centre for Rs 8.74 bn

Dushyant Chautala Deputy Chief Minister Haryana announced that 11 roads and as many bridges in the state will be widened and strengthened at a cost of approximately Rs 8.74 billion under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Bringing sustainability to the fore

JCB has continued to make concerted efforts to conserve and optimise the use of energy.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

In addition to reducing waste in construction, the Ministry is also working to decrease emissions from road transport and reduce the country’s dependence on oil imports through the use of alternative fuels.

Paving the way

The Indian market has a presence of technologically-advanced pavers with the presence of many national and international manufacturers.

NHAI to build 5,795 km NHs in aspirational districts

Over 100 Aspirational Districts would undergo the construction of 5,795 km of National Highways (NHs) under a Rs one trillion programme, which is about to be unveiled.

Bio Diesel Summit

Hosted by ICEMA, the Bio Diesel Summit, which was held virtually on January 24-25, 2022, stressed on substituting diesel with alternative fuels.

S. Chandra of Liebherr: Crane equipment rental has good future

Subhajit Chandra, Divisional Head – Mobile Crane Division, Liebherr India, speaks on how the market for medium and heavy-duty mobile cranes is progressing in India.

Volvo CE introduces 3 new construction BEVs

Roads and highways sector is considered to be the most vibrant infrastructure segment where a lot of activities ongoing consistently for a long time.

Demand for pick n carry cranes has strong correlation with industrial growth

The India mobile crane market is anticipated to register annual growth rate of over 5 per cent during the forecast period 2020-2025. Unfortunately, Due to unexpected Covid-19 pandemic, we can expect some challenges in terms of upcoming projects in India.

Despite second Covid wave, highway construction at 28 km per day in April

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and limitations on movement in most parts of the country, highway construction in April quadrupled this year to 853 km compared to the same month last year, which saw an entire nationwide lockdown.

Rural economy driving demand

Boosting economic growth is currently a major challenge for the government to achieve its dream of making India a $5-trillion economy by 2024, writes Samir Bansal of Off-Highway Research.

Focus on infra to revive economic growth

The government’s focus on building infrastructure will create jobs and revive economic growth

How NIP has set the tracks for growth

Recently during an interaction with the Union Minister of Roads Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, the Minister reiterated that he was proud to have launched a CNG based equipment model of JCB.

Highway works worth Rs 1.63 lakh cr sanctioned in six years

Highway works worth Rs 1.63 lakh cr sanctioned in six years

Improving efficiency

Batch mix plant is the most widespread type of asphalt plant in the world, which guarantees the highest level of flexibility in production and quality of the finished product.

Budget spurs order books

The Budget 2021 has won the approval of its utmost critics with most giving it a thumbs up. Infrastructure is the mantra for 2021-22 as the Finance Minister proposed to significantly enhance capital expenditure to Rs 5.54 trillion in the next fiscal, besides creating institutional structures and giving a big thrust to monetising assets to achieve the goals of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), which was launched in December 2019 with around 6,835 projects.

Indian CE market to regain growth

Samir Bansal of Off-Highway Research writes on the market and sales scenario of Indian construction equipment market.

MoRTH notifies new safety norms for construction equipments vehicles

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification GSR 673 (E) dated 27 October 2020 in respect of Construction Equipments Vehicles (CEVs) to holistically address the issue of safety requirements.

New emission norms for CEVs deferred to April 2021

The stage is now set for the implementation of the new emission norms in the construction equipment vehicles (CEVs) and tractor segments with the notification of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in this regard.

Road Equipment: Road to Recovery

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has big plans of constructing expressways, national highways, state highways and rural roads in the coming years. However, any uncertain economic situation in future may affect the recovery of the market as this will affect the payment of contractors, financing and thus equipment mobilisation.

MoRTH proposes safety norms for construction equipment vehicles

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification to address the issue of safety requirements while construction equipment vehicles are running on roads along with other vehicles

Govt proposes separate emission norms for CE and agri machinery

The Union Government has issued a draft notification for separate emission norms for agriculture machinery and construction equipment vehicles.

Registration and driving licence not needed for road making machines: MoRTH

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has clarified that the heavy road making machinery is not a motor vehicle, and is not covered under MV Act.

Govt proposes to defer new emission norms

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has invited suggestions and comments from all stake holders on the proposed amendment in the Motor Vehicle Draft rules for deferment of BS-IV emission norms for construction equipment vehicles, tractors and harvesters.

Govt proposes to defer new emission norms for CE vehicles

MoRTH has invited suggestions from all stake holders on the proposed amendment in the MV Draft rules for deferment of BS-IV emission norms for CE vehicles, tractors and harvesters

Financing Challenges

Devendra Kumar Vyas elaborates on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on infrastructure and financing sector and the challenges faced by NBFCs.

Biggest is the Best

Patel Infrastructure acquired the world's largest concrete paver from Wirtgen Group. The 18.75 m full paving width paver is currently working at the Vadodara-Kim Expressway project.

Can India be an alternate manufacturing base?

Even before COVID 19 crept up upon us, our roads sector had already hit a speed breaker. Construction of highways slowed to 27 km a day during April-January against 29.7 km a day achieved in 2018-19.

Can India be an alternate manufacturing base?

Even before COVID 19 crept up upon us, our roads sector had already hit a speed breaker. Construction of highways slowed to 27 km a day during April-January against 29.7 km a day achieved in 2018-19.

We expect to see a positive turn in volumes

Tata Motors has been at the forefront of constantly innovating and defining the market with new technologies and categories.

Gaining Momentum

Tipper market is expected to bounce back in the coming years with the demand picking up steadily in road construction and mining.

Compliance Challenges

Embracing the next level emission regulations is expected to be tough for the engine and equipment OEMs considering technology upgradations and need for adequate skill development among the users.

Flurry of road bids expected

According to the latest reports, India's GDP growth rate slipped to 4.5 per cent in the July-September quarter of this fiscal.

The Festival is back, Are Festivities back?

The current slowdown is giving a drubbing to the Indian construction equipment (CE) market with the equipment sales diving drastically in the past few months in contrast to what the industry had anticipated during the start of the year.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The roads and highways sector is expected to bounce back soon with the government's corrective measures to combat slowdown and the large number of projects planned in the coming years. The road equipment players are bullish on the future growth prospects.

Recharge to Rebuild!

The manifesto of the NDA points towards building 12,000 km of roads per annum! In 2018-19, even though contracts awarded were to the tune of 15,000 km (against 17,055 km in 2017-18), the figure for roads constructed up to November 2018 has been 5,759 km (against 9,829 km in 2017-18).

New paving technologies

Paver market in India is picking up with the growing road construction projects. Both asphalt and concrete paver markets see positive growth in the coming years.

Pushing Growth

Motor grader market has seen growing in the past couple of years with applications spreading into rural road projects as well as in highways.

Digital technology for mobile equipment is in transition

B&R Industrial Automation offers high-performance and technologically advanced products and solutions to construction and off-highway equipment OEMs.

Govt notifies dual-fuel usage for CE, agri machinery

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified dual-fuel usage for agricultural and construction equipment vehicles.

Govt notifies dual-fuel usage for CE, agri machinery

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified dual-fuel usage for agricultural and construction equipment vehicles.

Setting New Standards

Crushing capacity creation needed

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed in Lok Sabha that projects for constructing 6,320 km of road have been awarded under the first phase of the Bharatmala project, with the financial implication estimated to be Rs 1.44 trillion.

Aggregate Boom,Policy Gloom

Crushers and screens market is poised for a demand boom with the focus slowly shifting towards higher capacity machines to meet the growing demand for aggregates.

L&T bags NHAI contract for Dwarka e-way project

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded one of the five packages of Dwarka Expressway project in Haryana to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under the Bharatmala project, according to the government.

Ambitious on Indian infra sector

Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India's overall development and enjoys intense focus from government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world-class infrastructure in the country.

In the Limelight of Infra growth

Construction equipment today not only makes it easier to complete the project at hand, but also ensures the efficient use of labour, time and money. About 30-35 per cent of money involved in construction is dedicated towards procurement of good machinery and equipment.

Think big

The latest bout of infrastructure booster to road construction push includes the Bharatmala Pariyojana with a Rs 5.35 trillion investment to construct 34,800 km of roads.

Dwarka Expressway construction back on track

The construction of Dwarka Expressway (Northern Peripheral Road) has been put on fast track following a favourable court order and a recent land acquisition notification.

The Road Ahead

In spite of the government's policy shift towards building four- and six-lane National Highways as concrete roads, plans to construct more rural roads and coastal roads will drive the demand for asphalt plants in the future. EQUIPMENT INDIA explores the road ahead for asphalt plants.

KMC bags NHAI contract

NHAI has awarded contract worth Rs 1,274 crore to KMC Constructions Ltd for development of National Highway section in Himachal Pradesh.

Gayatri Projects wins highway project in Bihar

Hyderabad-based Gayatri Projects Ltd has bagged Rs 926-crore highway road construction contract in Bihar. The contract involves four-laning of Gaya-Hisua-Rajgir-Nalanda-Bhiarsharif section of NH-82.

KMC Constructions bags NHAI contract

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded contract worth Rs 1,274 crore to KMC Constructions Ltd for development of National Highway section in Himachal Pradesh. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the development of the crucial 26-km long Nerchowk-Pandoh including Pandoh bypass section of the NH-21 will improve the connectivity for travellers from Chandigarh to the valleys of Kullu and Manali.

GST and Logistics

GST is not a one-shot panacea for all ailments of logistics sector. Areef Patel elaborates on GST and its role in logistics. Areef Patel elaborates on GST and its role in logistics.

Multi-modal logistics park in Kerala

Kerala has been included in the list of 11 states to have multimodal logistics parks, at a cost of Rs 32,853 crore

RAP Essential in Asphalt Plants

Asphalt mix production has had a long and rapid journey of redefinitions over the past decade, to allow the incorporation of RAP recycling. This procedure is now gaining acceptance in Indian markets.

Compact Road Equipment Market to Grow

Developmental work in the North-East and far-flung rural areas will drive a robust growth of road building equipment, with a twist - the market for smaller-sized equipment to suit applications and delivery logistics requirements will be the gainer.

Yuan Devaluation Spells Gloom

The recent devaluation of Chinese Yuan by 4 per cent has triggered a global crash of stock markets. Indian BSE index has dropped by over 16000 points and there is more to come.

Thrust on highway equipment

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari pointed to the need to manufacture road construction equipment in India

Scope for pavement rehabilitation alternatives is huge

Our Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has no vision for the country. Cannot they spend even 0.01 per cent of the total outlay for training? This is simply unacceptable, says Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal, Associate Director Emeritus, National Center for Asphalt Technology, Auburn University, Alabama, USA.

Intelligent Compaction

Intelligent compaction (IC) is a state-of-the-art technology, which is a combination of the absolute measurement technology with regulation system that uses measured information to adapt the equipment continuously to required conditions.

Market trends and Future Growth

The demand for compaction equipment from the road sector has remained almost stagnant for the past three years owing to the slowdown in construction activities. Road building projects are currently facing major challenges from delays in awarding projects and policy decisions

Highway Ministry for new construction technologies

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has formulated a policy where new technology can be adopted through pilot projects. To try the new technology, the incremental cost of adopting the technology as against the tried and tested methods will have to be borne by the technology promoter.

Road 2 recovery

Despite the present day gloom in the market, the future for the construction equipment sector, especially for the road equipment segment in India, still holds much potential as this sector has a profound and immediate impact on the country?s economic growth. Off-Highway Research is optimistic about the growth in demand for road equipment and forecasts growth at a CAGR of 12.67 per cent over the next five years. Agith G Antony finds out more about the positive vibes in the industry.

Growth will pick up only if the government ensures a good mix of BOT and EPC projects

The government has to address issues like long-term funding for road projects, faster land clearances and introducing more stringent prequalification criteria for contractors who are bidding for road projects. The blocks have to be cleared to expedite a healthy growth in this sector and to attract the private sector for BOT projects, says Rohit Punjabi, Assistant Director (Strategy and Marketing), Liugong India. Excerpts of the interview.

The growth of road equipment segment will be about 15 per cent by 2017

Last year, we took an aggressive approach with the launching of new products in spite of the recession. The objective was to be prepared and match customer expectations and take a chunk of market share when the economy turns around, says R Nandagopal, Chief Executive Officer, Construction Equipment Business, Greaves Cotton. Excerpts of the interview.

Hot Mix Technology: On Solid Ground

The current challenges in hot mix asphalt pavement-making in India is to manage sustainability, conserve energy and natural resources, eliminate waste yet achieve a pavement quality with competitive cost per unit length.

Road builders may have to pay fine to exit road projects

Union Road Minister Oscar Fernandes has said that road developers in the country will not be blamed for delays in regulatory procedure but have to take responsibility for their own faults and may have to pay up to 1 per cent of total project cost as penalty for exiting. If there is any fault on the part of the concessionaire, then there will be a penalty of a maximum of one per cent, of the total project for the developer to exit the project, he said.

Road builders asked to pay fine if want to exit projects

Union Road Minister Oscar Fernandes has said that road developers will not be blamed for delays in regulatory procedure but have to take responsibility for their own faults and may have to pay up to one per cent of total project cost as penalty for exiting. If there is any fault on the part of the concessionaire, then there will be a penalty of a maximum of one per cent, of the total project for the developer to exit the project, he said.

Kerala opposes development of 5 NHs

The Kerala government is not willing to develop five National Highways (NH) in the state that are included in the National Highway Development Project (NHDP) Phase IVA and imposing toll on them. The State has informed the same to the Union government.