Gold
Are we set for a tidal wave in construction?
Holcim’s divestment of its pre-eminent position as the second largest cement manufacturer in India with brand Ambuja and brand ACC was sold in a matter of days despite the prized tag of over $ 10 billion. Not only did the deal close within days, the open offers it triggered were also rolled out in quick succession, making the total investment for the winning bidder, the Adani Group, $ 10.5 billion, plus another $ 3.5 billion towards the acquisition of shares through the open offer. The private sector, which has remained shy during the past eight years, is seen to have made a beeline for this acquisition with JSW Group and Aditya Birla Group stitching solutions for finances and beating policy hurdles respectively.
This is one of the biggest deals in the history of building materials in India. The Adani Group has been particularly proactive, snapping up airports, roads, ports, logistics, green energy and now cement too. In December, Adani Enterprises won contracts from the Uttar Pradesh government to build three stretches of the 594-km Ganga Expressway. The fourth section was awarded to IRB Infrastructure, where Adani’s share of work is 80 per cent of the total project. Now, Adani is in talks to raise Rs 120 billion from SBI towards this massive project. Its capex plan for the next two years includes $ 4.2 billion for airports and $ 2.2 billion for roads alone. The group’s roads portfolio comprises 14 projects with over 5,000 lane km with asset value exceeding Rs 41,000 crore spread across India.
Meanwhile, it is heartening to see the Finance Minister proactively moving in with…Ganga Expressway
Holcim
Click here to read more
Redefine the future of urban mobility! Join us at the Metro Rail Conference 2025 to explore groundbreaking ideas and insights. 👉 Register today!
Anji Khad Bridge, India's First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge Ready in J&K
Indian Railways has completed the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. A critical component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, this engineering marvel connects Katra and Reasi, promising enhanced regional connectivity and economic growth.Spanning 725.5 metres, the bridge features a 193-metre-tall main pylon, soaring 331 metres above the riverbed. Its design allows it to withstand wind speeds of up to 213 km/h and safely support train operations at speeds of 100 km/h.Constructed in th..
Exporters Raise Logistics Costs Concerns with Piyush Goyal
Exporters and freight agencies have voiced concerns over high terminal handling charges at ports and the underutilisation of dry ports, adding to India’s overall logistics costs. During a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, they highlighted that the fees charged by shipping terminals for container storage and positioning before loading exceed port charges by Rs 10,000-15,000 per consignment. The discussion focused on logistics and shipping challenges, with the government actively working to reduce costs across the supply chain, according to an official. India is targe..
Government to Revamp UDAN Scheme with Focus on Airport Readiness
The Indian government is set to revamp its regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), by prioritising airport readiness before inviting airlines to bid for operating routes. Financial support for the development of unserved airports and airstrips across the country is expected to be a key focus in the upcoming budget, along with stricter assessments of route feasibility, according to sources. Launched in 2017 to boost air travel in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, the UDAN scheme caps airfares and provides subsidies to airlines for operating on less frequen..
