Kerala govt agrees to revised terms on NH-774 Highway Project

13 Feb 2024 CW Team

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Kerala Government has agreed to shoulder 25% of the land acquisition costs for the NH-774 greenfield highway, connecting Kollam in Kerala to Madurai in Tamil Nadu. This is a departure from the initial agreement of 50%, and Kerala has also waived the state GST of 9% for this purpose.

In response to a query from RSP member N K Premachandran, Gadkari stated that the Chief Minister of Kerala has accepted the proposal, pending a formal response from the state government. Emphasising the need for cooperation from state governments, Gadkari highlighted their essential role in granting permissions for activities like mining.

When asked about the scenario where the state government declines to contribute its share, Gadkari affirmed that the Chief Minister has agreed to the proposal, and they are awaiting an official reply from Kerala. He expressed optimism about completing the Chennai-Bengaluru greenfield expressway by December of the current year.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Gadkari urged the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to assist the National Highway Authority of India in securing construction materials like aggregates and fly ash for their respective projects. He assured the House of their commitment to finishing the highway by December, enabling a two-hour travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru. Additionally, Gadkari mentioned that he had discussed the challenges faced by the NHAI in highway construction with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.

Products

19 May 2025

unWOOD transforms plastic waste into durable wood alternative

unWOOD, a breakthrough innovation, is converting hard-to-recycle plastic waste into a durable alternative to natural wood. Developed through a proprietary process called Intelligent Compounding, unWOOD uses a Macro Molecular Fiber Matrix (MMFM) structure to replicate the strength, look, and feel of hardwood鈥攚ithout the environmental cost.Conceptualised by Dr Babu Padmanabhan, the material addresses key flaws in traditional plastic recycling by consuming minimal energy, using zero water, and generating no microplastics. 鈥淎ny application that introduces plastics into areas where it cannot be..

Real Estate

19 May 2025

H盲fele launches Matrix undermount runners range

H盲fele has introduced its new Matrix range of undermount runners, designed to enhance drawer motion across kitchens, wardrobes, bathroom units, and more.Available in four weight capacities and a wide range of lengths, the Matrix undermount runners support diverse drawer designs. The 40 kg and 60 kg variants feature synchronised technology for superior motion and drawer stability. All runners come with an integrated soft-close mechanism to ensure smooth and noiseless operation.This in-house range is ideal for kitchen cabinets, bed storage units, living room furniture and bathroom drawers, offe..

Real Estate

19 May 2025

India's first AI-integrated campus announced in Noida

Yashoda Hospital and Bhutani Infra have announced plans to develop India鈥檚 first fully AI-integrated mixed-use campus in Greater Noida West. The upcoming project will feature a hospital, retail spaces, offices, SOHOs, serviced apartments, and a hotel鈥攁ll operating within a self-learning, generative AI-powered ecosystem.The AI-first campus will integrate real-time data systems, predictive analytics, and adaptive infrastructure to offer personalised experiences across functions. From AI-enabled footfall tracking and dynamic energy optimisation to smart F&B and retail insights, the develo..