Infrastructure

India’s railway infrastructure is entering a transformative phase with the inauguration of the country’s largest automobile Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant. This state-of-the-art facility, featuring a high-capacity rail link and a 4.5 lakh vehicle per annum loading capacity, is set to redefine automotive logistics. At the same event, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled sweeping operational reforms and expansion plans—from augmenting MEMU trains to expanding Namo Bharat and Amrit Bharat fleets.

Amitabh Kant, one of India's most influential bureaucrats and policy architects, has formally stepped down from his role as G20 Sherpa, concluding a distinguished 45-year career in public service. Kant, a 1980-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, was appointed to the Sherpa role in July 2022, ahead of India’s G20 presidency. In a reflective farewell message posted on LinkedIn, Kant expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and outlined his intent to pursue new opportunities beyond government.

Cube Highways Trust has finalized the acquisition of two critical highway assets in Jammu and Kashmir from the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF), marking a significant expansion of its infrastructure portfolio. Valued at an enterprise level of Rs. 4,185 crore, the assets—Quazigund Expressway and Athaang Jammu Udhampur Highway—are strategically vital corridors in northern India. Backed by fixed annuity payments from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the assets are expected to generate stable returns while insulating Cube from traffic-related risks.

India is poised to surpass USD 900 billion in total goods and services exports during the fiscal year 2025–26, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. This optimistic projection follows a record-breaking USD 825 billion in outbound trade in 2024–25, up from USD 778 billion in the previous year. Despite significant geopolitical disruptions—ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to instability in the Red Sea region—the country’s export momentum remains robust.

Sugs Lloyd, a prominent player in the energy infrastructure sector, has clinched fresh engineering contracts valued at Rs. 74.35 crore, fortifying its presence in Bihar and Odisha. These deals include transformative projects awarded by the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL) and Tata Power subsidiaries. The contracts span the development of new substations, high-voltage transmission lines, and grid modernization efforts.

Infrastructure giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a significant order from JSW Energy for the construction of the Bhavali Pumped Storage Project in Maharashtra, valued between Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore. The project will enhance grid stability by complementing India’s push for renewable energy. Strategically located across Nashik and Thane districts, the 1,500 MW project involves comprehensive civil works including reservoirs, tunnels, and an underground powerhouse.

IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd reported a 9% year-on-year increase in its toll revenue for May 2025, reaching Rs. 581 crore compared to Rs. 536 crore in the same period last year. The company attributed this robust growth to heightened travel activity during the vacation season, alongside the addition of approximately 4.5 lakh new vehicles on Indian roads. Major contributors included the IRB MP Expressway, Golconda Expressway, and Ahmedabad Vadodara Super Express Tollway.

In a decisive move to modernize and uplift Delhi’s industrial infrastructure, the Delhi government has announced plans to engage a concessionaire for the redevelopment and management of Bhorgarh Industrial Area (Bawana Phase II). This initiative is part of a larger strategy that includes setting up project management units (PMUs) across nine additional industrial zones.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a leading infrastructure giant, has announced its foray into the growing ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investment market by raising Rs. 500 crore through a bond issuance. This makes L&T the first Indian corporation to issue ESG bonds under the newly introduced framework by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The issuance will support the company’s long-term sustainability targets, including water and carbon neutrality by 2035 and 2040, respectively. HSBC is acting as the sole lead arranger for this landmark transaction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the inauguration of critical infrastructure projects worth Rs. 46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir on June 6, a development poised to reshape the region's connectivity and economic landscape. Central to these projects is the Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail Link (USBRL), which promises all-weather access and enhanced transportation efficiency. The launch of Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar is expected to invigorate spiritual tourism and generate substantial employment opportunities.