Infrastructure-Economy-News-The Economic Times 
NHAI rolls out India's first stop-free toll system on NH-48 in Gujarat
The new system removes physical toll barriers and enables seamless vehicle movement. "The MLFF framework introduces barrier-less tolling with minimal human intervention, enabling vehicles to pass through toll locations without stopping and ensuring seamless traffic flow," the release said.
Delhi is testing barrierless tolling, known as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), at the Mundka toll plaza, with vehicles passing through and tolls deducted via FASTag. This system, set to go live by mid-May, aims to eliminate waiting times and congestion, with plans to expand to 17 plazas and more soon.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to launch 330 new road projects costing Rs 3,550 crore in Jammu & Kashmir
The Batch-II under the PMGSY-IV will accelerate development in Jammu and Kashmir through the construction of 330 new roads covering 1,600 kilometres at a project cost of Rs 3,550 crore, benefiting 363 habitations across the region, an official spokesman here said.
Infra projects see cost overrun of Rs 5.61 lakh crore in March
As of March 2026, the landscape of central sector infrastructure is marked by significant challenges, with projects exceeding Rs 150 crore collectively suffering a cost overrun of Rs 5.61 lakh crore. The total revised budget for 1,941 ongoing projects has ballooned to Rs 41.50 lakh crore, against an expenditure of Rs 19.93 lakh crore so far.
Govt misses FY26 highway construction target due to delay in land acquisition
National highway construction in the last fiscal year reached 9,380 km, falling short of the 10,000 km target. This marks the slowest pace since 2017-18. Delays in land acquisition and securing clearances contributed to the shortfall. The pace of awarding new highway projects also saw a significant decline.
'Disaster resilience must be built into infra projects,' says Economic affairs secretary Anuradha Thakur
Anuradha Thakur, Economic Affairs Secretary, emphasized integrating disaster resilience into infrastructure planning and funding. She stated that resilience is essential, not optional, and must be incorporated from the outset. Investing in resilient infrastructure upfront reduces long-term costs and protects public finances.
West Asia conflict clouds outlook, but infra investments seen rising 45–50% through FY27–28: Crisil
India's infrastructure investment is set for strong growth of 45-50% over the next two years. This surge is fueled by robust domestic demand and supportive government policies. Sectors like renewable energy and data centers will lead the expansion. While the West Asia conflict may cause indirect cost pressures, overall investment remains on track.
Dharavi project begins; 11,000 rehab homes being constructed on railway land in Matunga
Beam collapses at Mumbai’s BKC Metro infra site during lifting, raises safety questions
Infra spend up six-fold since 2014, crosses Rs 12 lakh crore: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially launched the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, marking a significant investment in national infrastructure. Since 2014, spending on such projects has seen a staggering six-fold increase. The expressway, at a cost of ₹12,000 crore, promises to cut down travel times and expenses significantly. It thoughtfully includes a wildlife corridor to safeguard local animals.
Weak grid infrastructure, land access, financial barriers for developers slowed PM-KUSUM's progress: Study
India's flagship PM-KUSUM solar program for farmers faces significant challenges. Weak grid infrastructure, funding issues for small developers, land acquisition problems, and low electricity prices hinder its progress. While the scheme aims to boost farmer income and reduce diesel use, only a fraction of its solar capacity target has been achieved.
Road ministry to charge up to four times the base fare from 40% overloaded vehicles on National Highways
The ministry of road transport and highways, Tuesday, notified the National Highways Fee Rules for fee collection from overloaded vehicles on National Highways beyond the permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), the move aimed at promoting compliance with prescribed load limits and enhancing road safety while protecting highway infrastructure.
Rajasthan highway modernisation project gets $225 million World Bank boost, to benefit 3 million people
The World Bank has approved a USD 225 million loan for Rajasthan's highway modernization. This project will benefit over 3 million people by improving road efficiency, resilience, and safety. It aims to upgrade about 800 km of highways, making them safer and climate-resilient.
Japan’s JARTS trains 1,000 engineers for Bullet Train; second TBM assembly starts in Mumbai
Nitin Gadkari bats for 100% land acquisition before approving national highway projects
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has proposed that new national highway projects should only be approved with complete land acquisition. He said land acquisition and clearances are significant challenges in road construction. Gadkari also indicated that highway assets worth Rs 15 lakh crore are available for monetisation.