Page 44 - Construction_Opportunities_April_2026

TICKER TAPE
INFRASTRUCTURE The Delhi government has taken a key step toward addressing where multiple arterial roads converge. While flyovers and
ASHRAM–MUKARBA CORRIDOR SELECTED FOR FIRST
PHASE OF ELEVATED RING ROAD PLAN.
underpasses have been constructed at several points, officials
note that these measures have often shifted congestion rather
than eliminating it, underscoring the need for large-scale
congestion on one of the capital’s most heavily used corridors
by identifying a nearly 22-km stretch between Ashram and
infrastructure intervention.
Mukarba Chowk as the most viable starting point for Phase I of
CONSTRUCTION OF DAGADARTHI AIRPORT IN NELLORE
the proposed 57.5-km elevated Ring Road project.
LIKELY TO START SHORTLY.
According to Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh
Verma, the detailed project report (DPR) has recommended this
section as the priority phase due to its relatively obstruction-free Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh is set for a major infrastructure
boost, with work on the long-awaited Dagadarthi international
alignment. Officials said the stretch has fewer encroachments airport expected to begin soon. The project, proposed as the
and simpler engineering requirements, which could enable state’s eighth airport, is aimed at strengthening the region’s
faster execution with reduced disruption compared to more emergence as a multimodal logistics and industrial hub.
densely built-up areas. According to Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, the airport
An official noted that the segment allows construction to will come up on 1,332.8 acres and is envisioned as more than
proceed with “minimal disruption and faster timelines,” making it just an aviation facility. By integrating air connectivity with ports,
a practical starting point for the larger elevated corridor initiative. highways and industrial zones, the project is expected to reduce
The project, referred to by the PWD as the “Urban Ring Expressway,” logistics costs for exporters and manufacturers, while attracting
will run above Mahatma Gandhi Marg—commonly known as fresh investments in industry, warehousing and allied sectors.
the Inner Ring Road—forming a key elevated loop intended to Planned in multiple phases, the airport’s first phase will have
streamline cross-city movement across Delhi. Authorities expect the capacity to handle 1.4 million passengers annually, with
the corridor to significantly reduce travel time along major routes scalability up to 15 million passengers in the future. Provisions
once completed. have also been made for a dedicated cargo facility to support
The elevated Ring Road project has been divided into multiple the region’s growing industrial output and port-led trade.
phases, covering key junctions such as Majnu Ka Tila, Salimgarh The state government has already allocated `54 crore earlier
Fort, Moti Bagh, Rajouri Garden and Azadpur. The Ashram– this year to expedite land acquisition and provide essential
Mukarba Chowk section has itself been further split into three infrastructure such as electricity, water and telecom connectivity.
segments: Mukarba Chowk to Metcalf House, Majnu Ka Tila to Officials expect construction to begin between June and July.
Salimgarh Fort, and Salimgarh Fort to the DND Flyway. Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla said that private
Officials, however, acknowledged several challenges in players have been invited to submit proposals for the airport’s
implementation, including integration with existing infrastructure development, operation and maintenance, with the bidding
such as a grade separator and the Red Line near Kashmere deadline set for the end of this month. The selected developer
Gate. Careful engineering will be required to ensure seamless is likely to be announced in May.
connectivity without disrupting current transport systems. Meanwhile, the district administration is working on supporting
Heritage conservation is another sensitive issue, as the alignment infrastructure, including an alternative road to maintain
passes close to protected monuments, including Salimgarh connectivity for nearby villages and a culvert over a local
Fort, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). channel, ensuring that existing water flows remain undisturbed.
Authorities have assured that all construction will comply strictly Officials expressed confidence that the project will meet its
with ASI guidelines to safeguard historical structures. targeted timelines.
The corridor also traverses densely populated neighbourhoods
such as South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram, `90,000 CRORE RAILWAY PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN
raising concerns about traffic diversions and disruptions during ODISHA
construction. Financial viability remains a key consideration as Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently highlighted the rapid
well, with the project estimated to cost between `5,500 crore transformation of railway infrastructure in Odisha, stressing the
and `8,000 crore, according to senior officials. Centre’s strong push to enhance connectivity and capacity
The Inner Ring Road, which begins at Shalimar Bagh and extends across the state. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony
to Azadpur, was originally developed in the mid-20th century to of India’s first advanced 3D glass semiconductor packaging unit
ease cross-city traffic. However, rapid urban expansion and rising in Bhubaneswar, he said railway projects worth over `90,000
vehicle density have turned it into one of Delhi’s most congested crore are currently under execution, marking an unprecedented
corridors. expansion of the rail network.
Planned when the city’s population was under three million, the Vaishnaw noted that the scale of investment reflects the
Ring Road now serves a metropolitan region of over 30 million government’s commitment to strengthening both passenger
residents. What was once designed as a bypass has effectively and freight infrastructure. He added that the focus is on building
become a semi-central arterial route, lined with commercial a robust network capable of supporting economic growth while
and residential hubs. improving travel efficiency.
Over time, key intersections such as AIIMS, Moolchand, Dhaula During his visit, the minister also inspected the ongoing
Kuan, Ashram and ITO have evolved into major bottlenecks, redevelopment of Bhubaneswar Railway Station. He stressed the

44 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|APRIL 2026