Highways to Progress

India’s road infrastructure has evolved through innovative public-private partnerships, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives, driving economic growth and setting global standards.

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.

IndianOil Skytanking boosts airport fleet safety with Netradyne

Netradyne will provide its flagship platform, Driver•i

Charting growth path for road sector

The 13th India Roads Conference (IRC) – with the theme of "Road Construction Business: Establishing safe, sustainable, inclusive and intelligent road network in India” – explored new opportunities for stakeholders in the road construction business.

India urged to reform mineral exploration policies

Sumit Deb the outgoing President of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) has called for comprehensive reforms to stimulate mineral exploration in India

Use of automation in road construction may increase

Share insights on technological up-gradation that has happened recently or might happen in near future in the construction and engineering business.

There is an increase in demand for underground equipment

Sandeep Mathur, Brand Leader, New Holland CASE Construction Equipment, shares light on technological upgradation happened recently.

One of the major demand drivers is increase in demand for underground mining equipment

With the mining sector being one of the core industries of the economy, it has witnessed year-to-year growth. In terms of trends, there were positive signs in the manufacturing and mining activity that recorded a higher relative growth performance last year.

7th India Construction Festival

Organised by the FIRST Construction Council in Mumbai on October 22, the event successfully brought together the who’s who of the infrastructure and construction industry.

Delhi Mumbai expressway SPV gets ‘AAA’ rating

The National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) fully-owned special purpose vehicle (SPV), DME Developers (DMEL), has received AAA rating from CRISIL, CARE and India Ratings. The SPV is executing the Delhi-Mumbai expressway project.

Bharat Road Network, Cube Highways sign deal for sale of 126-km road project in UP

BRNL along with its partners inks deal for complete transfer of ownership in an operating toll road project from Ghaziabad to Aligarh on National Highway 34

How can the auto components industry bounce back

Financial year (FY) 2020-2021 was a year of transition for the auto components industry. There were new challenges in the form of outburst of Covid-19, loss in production, supply side disruptions, etc.

All about vehicle scrappage policy!

CARE Ratings scrutinises the vehicle scrappage policy, which was unveiled by Road Minister Nitin Gadkar in the Lok Sabha recently.

HCC Group to receive Rs 1,259 cr from NHAI BOT conciliations

HCC Concessions (HCON), the infrastructure development arm of HCC Group, concluded its conciliation with NHAI for all disputes concerning Baharampore-Farakka Highways Ltd (BFHL) and Farakka-Raiganj Highways Ltd (FRHL).

Delhi Mumbai expressway SPV gets ‘AAA’ rating

The National Highways Authority of India’s fully owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), DME Developers Ltd. (DMEL), has received AAA rating from CRISIL, CARE and India Rating.

NHAI to penalise firms for lapses in quality

To maintain high quality standards in highway development, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking all steps to ensure adherence to the standards during construction and maintenance of the projects.

Prioritising ports

The modernisation of ports is a prerequisite. The various policy measures announced in the sector are expected to increase investor confidence in the sector which in turn will translate into great opportunities for growth in the port equipment market.

NHAI to penalise firms for lapses in quality

NHAI to penalise firms for lapses in quality

Mining reforms have brought the confidence back

Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India shares his thoughts on the AWP market outlook and the company’s activities.

NHAI invites bids for 5th bundle of highway projects on TOT model

NHAI has invited bids for the fifth bundle of National Highway projects under Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) in Gujarat.

NHAI agrees to 25 suggestions made by NHBF to ease highway construction

NHAI has agreed to most of the suggestions made by the National Highways Builders Federation (NHBF) related to project delivery.

APM Terminals Pipavav’s board approves Rs 700-cr expansion plan

APM Terminals Pipavav (Gujarat Pipavav Port) has announced the approval of Rs 700 crore in coherence to the expansion plan of the company.

NHAI to undertake rating of concessionaires, contractors and consultants

The portal-based objective assessment of vendors has been initiated to track the performance of the vendors for various NHAI projects.

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.

Coal Ministry initiatives to improve mining efficiency

The Coal Ministry has taken initiatives to re-visit old laws with an aim to improve efficiency, ease of doing business and to open up coal sector

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.

AAI, Adani in concession pact for 3 airports

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed three concession agreements with Adani Enterprises for operations, management and development of Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru airports.

AAI, Adani in concession pact for 3 airports

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed three concession agreements with Adani Enterprises for operations, management and development of Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru airports.

Port Infra Needs Facelift

Developing new ports and terminals and the revival of old infrastructure at major ports in the country are expected to open up new opportunities for port equipment companies.

JSW to develop first container terminal

JSW Infrastructure has signed a concession agreement with New Mangalore Port Trust to develop and operate its first container terminal project for 30 years.

Towards Greener Future

Asphalt is regaining traction in the Indian road construction due to its better recyclability and the freedom to use waste materials like plastics along with asphalt mix. The future looks greener for asphalt mixing plants.

Budget 2020: Key takeaways for infrastructure

Tax concessions extended to sovereign and pension funds will go a long way in attracting long term financing solutions for infrastructure sector, says Sandeep Upadhyay, Managing Director ? Infrastructure, Centrum Capital.

Revenue growth to halve for EPC road cos through FY21: CRISIL

Road developers in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) segment could see revenue growth halve in fiscals 2020 and 2021 to ~15 per cent, compared with 30 per cent in fiscal 2019, a CRISIL study of 75 companies it rates in this sector indicates.

Appetite for dust control systems is growing

Spraystream describes itself as a leading global player in dust control, cooling and misting systems to optimally address issues of industrial odour and dust.

Steps to Safety

Being the safest means of working at heights, Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) are naturally the option to work at height safely. However, use of AWPs in India is still limited and is picking up slowly.

IRB Infra to commence Vadodara highway project soon

VK-1 Expressway, a wholly-owned subsidiary and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of IRB Infrastructure Developers has received an appointed date from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for 23.740 km long Padra (Kim)-Vadodara hybrid annuity project, which is part of the upcoming Vadodara-Mumbai expressway.

GMR to build greenfield commercial port near Kakinada

GMR Kakinada Gateway Port, part of GMR Group, has held a ground-breaking ceremony for its greenfield commercial port near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh (AP).

CE finance outlook

Financing accounts for approximately 80-85 per cent of the total equipment purchased. In the case of overseas purchases, it accounts for approximately 90 per cent.

NHAI to get Rs 100 billion for TOT highways

Under TOT, the concession period is of 30 years. The second tranche is spread over four states.

Looking for a Turnaround

IRB Infra achieves financial closure of second HAM project on successive day

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd (IRB Infra) has achieved another financial closure, on successive day, for its Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) IRB PS Highway Private Ltd, formed to manage affairs of its second hybrid annuity project.

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.

Schmersal India opens IT centre in Pune

Manufacturer of electromechanical safety and lift switchgear and systems, Schmersal India, a subsidiary of The Schmersal Group, Germany, inaugurated its first global support IT centre in Pune.

KNR Constructions bags Rs 1,021-cr NHAI project in TN

KNR Constructions has won a Rs 1,021-crore highway project from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Tamil Nadu. The company has secured its first Hybrid Annuity Project (HAM) with bid project cost of Rs 1,020.60 crore from NHAI for the work of four-laning of Trichy to Kallagam section of NH-227.

GVK inks pact for Navi Mumbai airport project

GVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd (GVKPIL) has signed a concession agreement for the Rs 16,000-crore Navi Mumbai International Airport project. The agreement has been signed through a special purpose vehicle, Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd, with CIDCO, the nodal authority for implementation of the project.

Essar Ports to develop coal terminal in Mozambique

Essar Ports has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of Mozambique to develop a new coal terminal at Beira Port, as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.

DhOLA-SADIYA bridge will propel intense development of the region

The making of Dhola-Sadiya Bridge across the River Brahmaputra was a different task altogether, considering the location and an unpredictable flood situation. This mega structure was constructed by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd.

GRT introduces advanced road technology in Bihar

Global Road Technology India?s operation announced it has commenced road works on National Highway 2 using its advanced recycling technology with foamed bitumen. GRT is working with lead contractor Soma Enterprises under their concessionaire subsidiary, Soma-Isolux to rehabilitate approximately 74 km of damaged pavement in Bihar. The six-lane construction undertaken by GRT is from Naubatpur to Muthani district.

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.

Ashoka Buildcon conducts ?Largest Road Lesson?

Ashoka Buildcon conducted its 600th Road Safety Awareness Session in Nashik. The event entered into the Guinness World Records for ?Largest Road Lesson? with 2,700 participants.

Government should fast-track the procurement

After a lull in the past three years, mining, especially coal, is set to show significant growth in the next few years. Coal India (CIL) is doing its best to increase coal production quickly, from the current 568 million tonne per annum (mtpa) to 927 mtpa by 2020.

Indian Mining Poised to Boom

IRB bags highway project

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd has emerged as a preferred bidder for six-laning of the Kishangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad section of NH-79 in Rajasthan.

Paving on a High

Asphalt paver was developed by Barbar Green Co that originally manufactured material handling systems. In 1929, the Chicago Testing Laboratory approached them to use their material loaders to construct asphalt roads.

Ashoka Buildcon bags NHAI project in Punjab

Infrastructure firm Ashoka Buildcon has received a letter of award from NHAI for widening of a highway stretch in Punjab at a bid cost of Rs 1,600 crore.

Ashoka Buildcon wins NHAI project in Punjab

Infrastructure firm Ashoka Buildcon has received a letter of award from NHAI for widening of a highway stretch in Punjab at a bid cost of Rs 1,600 crore.

National Capital Goods Policy 2016

The National Capital Goods Policy 2016 has been the talking point for some time now. It is a policy that is not short on intent. It is conclusive but not entirely comprehensive. Some critical elements have been surprisingly left out.

Container Handling: Future?s Bright

Hyderabad Metro Rail Project

Construction equipment forms the backbone of any Metro project. All Metro projects are equipment-intensive in comparison to residential projects which are more labour-intensive.

NHAI cracks down on overloading

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to force theoverloaded vehicles off the roads till the extra load is removed at the cost and risk of the transporters.

One-time fund to revivelanguishing highway projects

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a one time fund infusion to revive and physically complete languishing national highway projects under the extension of provision available for BOT (Toll) projects to BOT (annuity) projects.

Positive Indicators

Indicators are hinting that the economic momentum is back in India. The Index of Industrial Production shows capital goods output rose 11 per cent in April and slow moving projects are reviving.

Wheel loaders - Optimising Productivity

Cycle time is a critical success factor in all bulk handling applications. Ramifications of high cycle time even extend to bulk handlers securing business. Wheel loaders are extensively used bulk handling tools wherein high productivity is of essence.

PPT to build new clean cargo berth

Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has signed a concession agreement with Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) for construction of a Rs 430 crore berth for container traffic and clean cargo handling.

CE Sector to Grow

Among the major global markets for construction equipment, the demand of construction equipment in China suffered a steep decline after peaking in 2011. This trend continued in 2014; however, future demand forecast is expected to be stable.

The Road Ahead

The need for better infrastructure is pressing with India?s rapid urbanisation and burgeoning middle class. Some 590 million people will live in cities by 2030, and could account for 70 per cent of Indian GDP, according to a McKinsey report.

CE industry is to grow in the long term at a CAGR of 17.5%

The construction equipment (CE) market in India will be driven by increased activity levels in every sector as there are massive infrastructure gaps yet to be bridged, says Samir Bansal, General Manager, India, Off-Highway Research.

Emerging Trends

Introduction of GST, more focus on palletisation, and expected opening up of retail segment are expected to boost the demand for forklifts.

Road projects to get a push

The Union Cabinet has given full authority to the Road Transport and Highways Ministry to ease the rigid model concession agreement (MCA) to speed up delivery of highway projects. Till now, even small changes in the MCA were referred to inter-ministerial group (IMG) for approval.

Movers & shakers

8,500 km by March 2015: How Realistic is the Target?

The Union Finance Minister has set a target of 8,500 km of roads to be completed during the current fiscal year, which simply means construction of about 35.5 km of road per day! In the last couple of years,

Maximising Output

Several key trends are emerging in the asphalt/soil compaction market where performance and productivity remain key issues. The OEMs are keen to maximise output from their latest units in terms of improving machine performance, O&M cost and operator safety and comfort.

New Expectations

The new government has just sworn in at the Centre, driving new hopes in the industry. DK Vyas pens down the wish list of expectations from the new government.With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) having formed the government, industry expectations are high that the new Prime Minister (PM) will be able to lead the economy out of the low growth era through decisive governance.

Expectations from the New Government

Devendra Kumar Vyas, Chief Executive Officer at SREI BNP Paribas pens down the wish list of expectations from the new government. With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) having formed the government, industry expectations are high that the new Prime Minister will be able to lead the economy out of the low growth era through decisive governance.

Government should fast-track the land acquisition process

Gmmco, well supported by Caterpillar, is the one-stop shop for mining equipment and solutions. We offer the complete range of Cat surface and underground mining machines

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.

Year End Review of Ministry of Coal

Coal sector witnessed a number of initiatives during 2013 to augment coal production and supply. Regular reviews of captive coal blocks were held by Inter-Ministrial Group to expedite their development, fuel supply agreements were signed with Power Sector and setting of Coal regulator approved. Under the bidding policy, seventeen coal blocks allotted to the Government Companies and thirty eight coal blocks brought under production.

Augmentation of coal production through PPP route

Year end review report of the Ministry of coal indicates the use of PPP route for increasing coal production in the country. The Government of India has decided to initiate Public Private Participation (PPP) to augment coal production in the country. To achieve this objective, a committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Secretary (Coal) with representatives from Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance (DEA), Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Law & Justice (DLA) among others to recommend

1st Annual Equipment India Awards 2013

Poised to become the third largest market for construction equipment, India is now a major hub for manufacturers globally. The Indian industry, to its credit, has also remained ahead of the demand curve and has brought in the latest technologies and a variety of equipment to fit all sorts of applications. A report on the first-ever Equipment India Awards held in New Delhi on 14 November 2013...

Mumbai's May Flower to invest in Ethiopian coal fields

Mumbai-based May Flower has agreed to invest along with Delbi to jointly develop a coal mine in Ethiopia over a three-year period. May Flower will import mining machinery, mining experts as well as the required finance for exploration and mining works.

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.

MSRDC withdraws toll rebate to Thane locals

In Thane area, the order on rebate on toll given to local residents by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is said to have overturned. The order had granted toll concessions to people living near toll booths. The MSRDC officials were under pressure from toll contractors, it is said. The reversal, which happened within a few weeks after an executive engineer issued the order on rebate, is a blatant violation of a government resolution (GR) issued in 2009 granting the toll c

Ashoka-GVR Infra team bags Chennai ORR project

The Chennai Outer Ring Road Phase II project, costing Rs 985.44 crore, has been bagged by a consortium of Ashoka Buildcon and GVR Infra Projects. The Tamil Nadu government had earmarked Rs 1,075 crore for the project, which will decongest Chennai roads. The 62-km ORR project links the peripheral areas of the city from Vandalur in the south, about 25 km from Chennai on NH 45, to Minjur to the north of Chennai.

Highway developers may get exit option

Cash-strapped highway developers may be permitted by the Union government to exit projects at any stage after financial closure if lenders agree to change the concessionaires at the request of the existing developer. The Surface Transport Ministry feels that this could be a shot in the arm for stalled highway projects since equity released from old projects can be used to develop new ones, and companies with relevant expertise can take over the construction or operation and maintenance of the ex

Govt to bring changes in toll collection rights

Developers involved in widening four-lane roads to six lane may have to wait till the completion of the projects before collecting toll. The Union Road Transport Ministry is planning to rewrite the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) that allows them to collect toll.

Govt to pace up rescheduling of road developers' premium

The Union Road Trasnport and Highway Ministry has decided to speed up its proposal to allow premium rescheduling of road development projects awarded two-three years ago. The government took the decision by facing a situation that may jeopardise the fate of many road projects. The proposal will then be referred to an inter-Ministerial group headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

Govt okays 4-laning of Dimapur-Kohima h'way in Nagaland

The Union government on May 23 approved the 4-laning of Dimapur-Kohima National Highway in Nagaland at a total cost of Rs 1,089.87 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the project of 4-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima section from 124.1 km to 172.9 km of NH-39, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in Delhi. This project is under the special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) in North Eastern Region, he said.

Six-laning of Gurgaon-Kotputli stretch on NH-8 delayed

The Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Sarvey Sathyanarayana has said that the six-laning work on Gurgaon-Kotputli stretch on National Highway No 8 has been delayed. The main reasons for delay are due to slow progress during construction by Concessionaire, delay in the land acquisition, delay in Forest Clearance, delay in removal of religious and other structures & additional works in the project scope owing to public representations etc.

Govt may ease exit norms for road developers

The Union government may relax exit norms for highway developers, a move which will increase mergers and acquisitions in the road construction sector of India. At present, there are limits on the extent to which a lead project developer can exit from a project, with time-based milestones. Relaxation of this norm has been a long-standing demand of developers and the Cabinet may soon take up a proposal in this regard.

IL&FS gets Rs 1,348.20 cr NHAI project in Maha

The National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) project of four-laning of Khed-Sinnar Section of NH-50 has been bagged by the IL&FS Transportation Networks. The stretch is in Maharashtra. The project work is from Km 42.000 to Km 177.000 (Design Length - 137.946 km) under the Phase IV B in Maharashtra on DBFOT basis.

Goa?Kundapur h'way to be upgraded at Rs 2,600 cr

By spending Rs 2,600 crore the Kundapur-Goa National Highway is going to be upgraded into four-lane road. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and IRB Infrasgtructure Developers have signed an agreement to convert the NH 17 from the present two-lane to four-lane highway. IRB has sought a grant of Rs 536.22 crore from NHAI to execute the project.

Govt to ease norms for road builders

Seeking to attract developers to new construction projects the Union Roads Ministry has proposed easing norms for road builders. The Ministry has sent a note to the Cabinet Committee on Investment suggesting an early exit for road developers.

Centre to set up road regulatory authority

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on March 28 announced the proposal to set up a road regulatory authority to address issues such as financial stress, construction risk and contract management in the sector.The Minister said the independent regulatory authority will be set up in 2014 to address all issues faced by the road sector.

GMR ready to re-take road project if govt cuts premium

GMR Infrastructure now says that it is ready to take up the 555-km Kishangarh-Udaipur-Ahmedabad highway project again if there is a cut in the initial premium it owes to the government. GMR had withdrawn from the Rs 5,700 crore highway project owing to inconsistencies on environment clearance.

Odisha govt to enter into pact with IBM on MTS

The Odisha government and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement a mining tenement system (MTS) in the state. The system is aimed at enabling the process of management of data relating to areas for exploration and mining. According to the proposed MoU, the IBM would provide inputs on the design of MTS modules, offer information on the existing operating modules, designs and a

Plan panel differs on powers of the proposed road regulator

Recently, an inter-ministerial meeting was held for the first time to discuss the proposal to set up a regulator for the road sector. The meeting was attended by the officials from the finance ministry, the law ministry and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). During the meeting, Planning Commission expressed strong reservations over giving the proposed regul

Odisha govt to enter into pact with IBM on MTS

The Odisha government and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement a mining tenement system (MTS) in the state. The system is aimed at enabling the process of management of data relating to areas for exploration and mining. According to the proposed MoU, the IBM would provide inputs on the design of MTS modules, offer information on the existing operating modules, designs and a

Coal importers evade duty via false classification

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Gujarat detected around Rs 600 crore of import duty evasion by coal importers by falsely classifying coal in 2012-13. These coal importers have allegedly evaded duty by reporting bituminous coal imports as steam coal. Earlier, the government waived customs duty on steam coal and imposed only a concessional countervailing duty (CVD

Auto industry demands excise duty cut

The Indian automobile industry, faced with declining sales in the current fiscal due to high interest rates, rising fuel costs and commodity prices, is seeking an excise duty