M Murali, Director General, National Highways Builders Federation (NHBF) passed away on May 17, 2016. He was always at the forefront, leading the nodal agency representing highway developers

The road sector has gathered steam with the government´s focus on the revival of the investment cycle. Over the next six months, the government plans to award road projects worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore.

India´s increasing population, rapid urbanization, coupled with traffic congestion and the consequent demand for robust infrastructure have been the driving factors behind the growth of roads and bridge infrastructure.

From 3 km per day to 30 km per day from 2016 looks to be a tall order for the road construction in the country. While the current numbers still present a slow pace of development, the government is hopeful to make amends soon.

The construction equipment industry has witnessed substantial investments in the recent past with several companies setting up manufacturing bases, and the demand is likely to rise with the focus on infrastructure development.

Though investment in infrastructure is expected to touch $1,025 billion in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-17), many hurdles are choking investment inflows despite the government´s overdrive to attract funds. The government´s recent decision to open up the railway sector to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Highway developers have filed for claims amounting to over Rs 20,000 crore to road projects before various courts and arbitration tribunals across the country.

Despite efforts to ensure road safety, road deaths and accidents continue to climb creating a question mark on the efforts being put in ensuring safe road infrastructure. Infrastructure Today looks to understand the constraints in ensuring safe road infrastructure.

The establishment of the road regulator, as was announced in the 2013-14 Union Budget, might take place only after the elections. While many industry players want a regulator to be set up, what will the entity finally look like? Rahul Kamat takes a peek at the current trends.