Infrastructure-Economy-News-The Economic Times - Seite 3 
SEZ Port City Colombo woos tech cos to derisk India ops
Port City Colombo is attracting technology companies from India seeking to diversify risks. This special economic zone offers a lower cost of doing business compared to Singapore. Indian firms can leverage Port City Colombo for access to the RCEP trading bloc. The US dollar and Indian rupee are designated currencies for transactions within the zone. Substantive conversations are underway with large technology firms exploring this location.
National Highways Authority of India now requires 80% plantation coverage for project completion. A minimum 90% sapling survival rate is also mandated for provisional certification. Financial withholdings will enforce outstanding plantation work completion and target achievement. Payments during the operations period will link to maintaining plant survival rates. Timely replacement of dead or damaged plants is now a mandatory requirement.
Corrosion costs India’s infrastructure ?1.42 lakh crore a year: Report
Corrosion costs India's infrastructure sector an estimated ₹1.42 lakh crore each year. Better prevention measures could save approximately ₹49,580 crore annually. The report suggests implementing corrosion-protection requirements based on environmental exposure. Indian regulations often recognize these measures but leave adoption as an option. Infrastructure owners and policymakers should consider long-term value over initial material prices.
India's new supply-chain wonder is set to shift the gears of growth
The operationalization of India’s freight corridors marks a transformative step for the nation’s logistics landscape, strategically positioned along major economic routes. These advanced routes not only expedite transport times but also elevate reliability for businesses, fostering better supply chain management with reduced costs. As a result, manufacturing exports are set to rise, and raw materials can be moved more affordably, further shooting India's economic efficiency to new heights.
‘Historic achievement for 21st-century India’: PM Modi inaugurates Rs 35,000 crore development projects in Vadodara
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially inaugurated a series of development projects in Vadodara, surpassing Rs 35,000 crore in value. He highlighted key sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, signifying an important achievement for the nation. The announcement also included various railway and highway enhancements, aimed at bolstering national infrastructure and expediting India's transformation into a fully developed country.
India’s manufacturing sector needs 13.1% growth to hit $7.5 trillion by 2047: Report
India's manufacturing sector requires a 13.1 percent annual growth rate to reach USD 7.5 trillion by 2047. This ambitious target is crucial for India's goal of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy. Workforce productivity is identified as the most underleveraged growth lever for the nation. Many companies need operational changes to meet productivity targets and overcome hidden factors. Reimagining work, redesigning organizations, and remodelling the workforce are key suggested strategies.
NHAI gets 17 bids for ?8,300 crore Odisha coastal highway project
In a significant development, the National Highways Authority of India has received an overwhelming response for its new coastal highway project, which will stretch 160 kilometers from Rameshwar to Paradeep in Odisha. With ten proposals for Package-I and seven for Package-II, this ₹8,300.79 crore initiative is expected to create a wealth of employment opportunities while facilitating quicker access to major tourist attractions.
India's construction equipment sector needs to cut its ₹45,000 cr import bill: Kumaraswamy
India's construction equipment sector aims to reduce import reliance. A new government scheme will boost domestic manufacturing of critical components. This initiative seeks to strengthen local supply chains and cut import dependency. The industry anticipates significant growth by fiscal year 2029-30. Exports showed strong growth while domestic demand experienced a temporary dip.
Infrastructure projects see cost overrun of Rs 3.4 lakh cr: MoSPI
Ongoing infrastructure projects show a Rs 3,40,504 crore cost overrun on projects over Rs 150 crore. Over 1,700 projects are monitored, with revised costs significantly higher than original estimates. Many projects are progressing well, with over half showing substantial physical and financial completion. The Transport and Logistics sector leads in project numbers and revised cost estimates.
Chhattisgarh steps up geospatial, logistics planning with two PM GatiShakti pacts
Chhattisgarh signed pacts with BISAG-N and NLDSL to enhance geospatial technology use. These agreements aim to foster sustainable economic growth and attract new investments. The state has onboarded over 35 departments onto the PM GatiShakti platform. GIS-based identification of road black spots improves road safety interventions. Chhattisgarh is recognized as a high performer in operationalizing PM GatiShakti.
Delhi’s 1,459 heritage assets face ‘severe threat’, master plan calls for stronger conservation
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 identifies 1,459 heritage assets facing significant threats. The plan emphasizes enhanced conservation and regular monitoring of these historical sites. Local bodies will establish heritage cells for management and promotion of cultural activities. Adaptive reuse of historic structures is encouraged to prevent degradation and loss. The plan aims to preserve Delhi's rich cultural and historical character for future generations.
Delhi Master Plan 2047: Key highlights of blueprint for housing, metro & Yamuna
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 targets 40 lakh new homes and a 695-km metro network by 2047. It includes redevelopment for unauthorized colonies and housing for slum dwellers. The plan aims to revive the Yamuna river by treating 22 drains and restoring floodplains. Green buffers and afforestation will address noise pollution and enhance the environment. This plan shifts urban planning towards development, investment, and improved liveability for residents.
Manohar Lal Khattar unveils Delhi's 2047 blueprint: 40 lakh homes, 695-km metro & jobs on agenda
Delhi's Master Plan 2047 proposes forty lakh new homes for its growing population. The city's metro network will expand to six hundred ninety-five kilometers by the year 2047. This plan aims to balance urban development with environmental preservation efforts. Affordable housing will be supported through transit-oriented development policies. The plan seeks to make Delhi a world-class, inclusive, and economically vibrant city.
‘Attention is paid to flood & bridge design’: Vaishnaw on Bihar-Nepal highway infrastructure plan
Consultants of faulty detailed project reports culprits: Nitin Gadkari
"Such poor quality DPR that today on road, 5 lakh accidents occur, and 1.8 lakh deaths, and all have problems of defective DPR," Gadkari said. The minister cautioned contractors against compromising construction quality after winning an infrastructure project. There will be a performance audit in addition to a financial audit, and contractors found wanting will be punished and black-listed, he said. Gadkari said poor-quality DPRs and construction compromises result in economic losses and road accidents.