May 19, 2026
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman have rejected the opposition’s notice for a motion for the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a “careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved”, a move bound to deepen acrimony between the governing NDA and its opponents amid their campaign blitzkrieg for five assembly polls.As many as 130 LS and 63 RS members — more than required under rules — from opposition parties had filed the notice on March 13 in their respective Houses, seeking Kumar’s ouster for his alleged partisan and discriminatory conduct, especially in the SIR drive.An LS bulletin said, “After due consideration of the notice of motion and a careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved therein, the speaker (Om Birla) in exercise of powers vested to him under section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, has refused to admit the said notice of motion.”RS issued a similar bulletin on behalf of chairman C P Radhakrishnan. Though the bulletin did not specify the ground for rejection, officials said it is a common practice.The notice, signed by opposition INDIA bloc members and some other BJP rivals like AAP had the requisite support — which is at least 100 LS and 50 RS MPs.Parliament is set to meet on April 16 for three days to take up bills related to implementation of women’s reservation in LS and state assemblies from the 2029 general polls, and rejection of the opposition’s move against the CEC is expected to trigger a fresh round of clash between the two sides.While Congress’s Jairam Ramesh in a cryptic post said, “We know what happened to the last RS chairman who accepted a petition moved by opposition MPs”, TMC’s Derek O’ Brien said, “Ah! I told you so. Notice to remove CEC ‘Vanish Kumar’ by RS MPs rejected. Reason? No reason given. BJP keep mocking our great Parliament.”If opposition parties, especially TMC that was at the forefront of rallying support for the notice, raise the issue in their poll campaign to press their claim of constitutional institutions having been allegedly compromised under BJP, the governing party will flag the issue as an endorsement of CEC’s functioning from Parliament’s presiding chairs.After Congress had led a move to file a notice for Birla’s removal, which was admitted and defeated by voice vote in LS, TMC was believed to have nudged the main opposition party to join it in making a similar move against Kumar.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123Photostories6 quick blooming flowers to sow in April10 couple-inspired house name ideas that add a personal touchHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising waysYou have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 202610 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in India123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIPL 2026Donald TrumpSheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman have rejected the opposition’s notice for a motion for the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a “careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved”, a move bound to deepen acrimony between the governing NDA and its opponents amid their campaign blitzkrieg for five assembly polls.As many as 130 LS and 63 RS members — more than required under rules — from opposition parties had filed the notice on March 13 in their respective Houses, seeking Kumar’s ouster for his alleged partisan and discriminatory conduct, especially in the SIR drive.An LS bulletin said, “After due consideration of the notice of motion and a careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved therein, the speaker (Om Birla) in exercise of powers vested to him under section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, has refused to admit the said notice of motion.”RS issued a similar bulletin on behalf of chairman C P Radhakrishnan. Though the bulletin did not specify the ground for rejection, officials said it is a common practice.The notice, signed by opposition INDIA bloc members and some other BJP rivals like AAP had the requisite support — which is at least 100 LS and 50 RS MPs.Parliament is set to meet on April 16 for three days to take up bills related to implementation of women’s reservation in LS and state assemblies from the 2029 general polls, and rejection of the opposition’s move against the CEC is expected to trigger a fresh round of clash between the two sides.While Congress’s Jairam Ramesh in a cryptic post said, “We know what happened to the last RS chairman who accepted a petition moved by opposition MPs”, TMC’s Derek O’ Brien said, “Ah! I told you so. Notice to remove CEC ‘Vanish Kumar’ by RS MPs rejected. Reason? No reason given. BJP keep mocking our great Parliament.”If opposition parties, especially TMC that was at the forefront of rallying support for the notice, raise the issue in their poll campaign to press their claim of constitutional institutions having been allegedly compromised under BJP, the governing party will flag the issue as an endorsement of CEC’s functioning from Parliament’s presiding chairs.After Congress had led a move to file a notice for Birla’s removal, which was admitted and defeated by voice vote in LS, TMC was believed to have nudged the main opposition party to join it in making a similar move against Kumar.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123Photostories6 quick blooming flowers to sow in April10 couple-inspired house name ideas that add a personal touchHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising waysYou have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 202610 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in India123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIPL 2026Donald TrumpSheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman have rejected the opposition’s notice for a motion for the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a “careful and objective assessment of all relevant aspects and issues involved”, a move bound to deepen acrimony between the governing NDA and its opponents amid their campaign…

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Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 8, 2026 – check list

Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 8, 2026 – check list

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Top stocks to buy (AI image) Stock market recommendations: Birlasoft, Bajaj Holdings, and Gujarat Ambuja Exports Ltd are the stocks recommended for buying by Mehul Kothari, DVP – Technical Research at Anand Rathi Shares today (April 8, 2026):Birlasoft – Triple Bottom with RSI Divergence SupportBuy: ₹365–₹355 | Stop Loss: ₹315 | Target: ₹470Since April 2025,…

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Horoscope Tomorrow, April 08, 2026: Your zodiac insights await

Horoscope Tomorrow, April 08, 2026: Your zodiac insights await

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

AriesWeather-based workout modifications could aid in maintaining fitness. Making proactive savings could provide one a feeling of financial stability. Before completing a project at work, it might need to be reviewed. Conflicts may be reduced at home if various parenting philosophies are balanced. While customized travel arrangements may improve the experience, they should still be…

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Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman ‘admits’ Iran war poses ongoing challenges; says: You know, there is not …

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman ‘admits’ Iran war poses ongoing challenges; says: You know, there is not …

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman has reportedly accepted that the ongoing Iran war poses challenges for the world’s biggest cloud service provider. Speaking to CNBC at the HumanX conference in San Francisco, AWS CEO Garman termed it a difficult situation and said that Amazon employees are working round the clock to prevent service disruption…

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“President killed Charlie”: Candace Owens sparks outrage with explosive claim about Charlie Kirk assassination

“President killed Charlie”: Candace Owens sparks outrage with explosive claim about Charlie Kirk assassination

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Candace Owens sparked controversy after making claims linked to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, questioning narratives and drawing strong reactions online. Her remarks triggered backlash from critics, who accused her of spreading unverified theories. The debate quickly escalated, highlighting deep political divisions and renewed attention around the circumstances surrounding Kirk’s death. The war of words around the…

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ANI file photo NEW DELHI: India’s room air-conditioner market is heading into the summer season under clear price pressure, even as companies remain bullish on long-term growth. Manufacturers including Blue Star have indicated further price hikes, driven by rising commodity costs, tighter energy-efficiency labelling norms that came into effect in Jan 2026 and current global headwinds. “The increase in commodity prices has been unprecedented,” said B Thiagarajan, managing director of the company.Industry executives estimate that higher input costs have added roughly 8-9% to material expenses, while the shift to more energy-efficient models is pushing prices up by another 5-8%. Together, this has translated into a 13% increase in AC prices, said Thiagarajan. However, a GST reduction has softened the blow, with consumers likely to see an effective rise of about 5% compared to last year. Companies have already passed on part of the increase, with more expected in phases. “A large part of the increase is already behind us. The balance will be taken as the season progresses,” Thiagarajan said, indicating a staggered pricing strategy. Other players, including Godrej Enterprises Group, have also raised prices. “Despite a challenging year for the AC industry, which witnessed a decline in overall sales, Godrej ACs achieved significant growth,” said Kamal Nandi, business head, appliances business at the company. Godrej has increased AC prices by nearly 10%. At Hisense India, CEO Pankaj Rana said the recent price hikes are a function of sustained input cost pressures. “The recent increase in AC prices is primarily driven by a sharp rise in input costs, including raw materials, logistics, and broader supply chain disruptions,” he said.Rana noted that companies have ensured adequate inventory and strong on-ground presence to meet summer demand. “While demand remains robust, any further price revisions will depend on how input costs evolve, as well as the competitive landscape, with potential increases in the range of 7-10%, depending on demand trends and competitive responses,” he said. Manufacturers are walking a tightrope between protecting margins and sustaining demand during peak summer months. Apart from commodity inflation, elevated copper prices, a weaker rupee, and higher freight and component costs continue to weigh on profitability. Demand, meanwhile, has been volatile due to erratic weather and unseasonal rains, which impacted peak-season sales last year. Thiagarajan said 2025 turned out to be a weak summer, with industry volumes likely declining 5-7.5% compared to FY25. The outlook, however, remains strong. The domestic AC market, estimated at 14 million units, is expected to nearly double to about 30 million units by FY30, driven by rising incomes, heat, and deeper penetration in smaller towns.About the AuthorAabhas SharmaAabhaasEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising ways5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 2026You have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?10 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your number123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

ANI file photo NEW DELHI: India’s room air-conditioner market is heading into the summer season under clear price pressure, even as companies remain bullish on long-term growth. Manufacturers including Blue Star have indicated further price hikes, driven by rising commodity costs, tighter energy-efficiency labelling norms that came into effect in Jan 2026 and current global headwinds. “The increase in commodity prices has been unprecedented,” said B Thiagarajan, managing director of the company.Industry executives estimate that higher input costs have added roughly 8-9% to material expenses, while the shift to more energy-efficient models is pushing prices up by another 5-8%. Together, this has translated into a 13% increase in AC prices, said Thiagarajan. However, a GST reduction has softened the blow, with consumers likely to see an effective rise of about 5% compared to last year. Companies have already passed on part of the increase, with more expected in phases. “A large part of the increase is already behind us. The balance will be taken as the season progresses,” Thiagarajan said, indicating a staggered pricing strategy. Other players, including Godrej Enterprises Group, have also raised prices. “Despite a challenging year for the AC industry, which witnessed a decline in overall sales, Godrej ACs achieved significant growth,” said Kamal Nandi, business head, appliances business at the company. Godrej has increased AC prices by nearly 10%. At Hisense India, CEO Pankaj Rana said the recent price hikes are a function of sustained input cost pressures. “The recent increase in AC prices is primarily driven by a sharp rise in input costs, including raw materials, logistics, and broader supply chain disruptions,” he said.Rana noted that companies have ensured adequate inventory and strong on-ground presence to meet summer demand. “While demand remains robust, any further price revisions will depend on how input costs evolve, as well as the competitive landscape, with potential increases in the range of 7-10%, depending on demand trends and competitive responses,” he said. Manufacturers are walking a tightrope between protecting margins and sustaining demand during peak summer months. Apart from commodity inflation, elevated copper prices, a weaker rupee, and higher freight and component costs continue to weigh on profitability. Demand, meanwhile, has been volatile due to erratic weather and unseasonal rains, which impacted peak-season sales last year. Thiagarajan said 2025 turned out to be a weak summer, with industry volumes likely declining 5-7.5% compared to FY25. The outlook, however, remains strong. The domestic AC market, estimated at 14 million units, is expected to nearly double to about 30 million units by FY30, driven by rising incomes, heat, and deeper penetration in smaller towns.About the AuthorAabhas SharmaAabhaasEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesHow to make protein-rich Egg Poha for breakfast at home8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising ways5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 2026You have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?10 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your number123Hot PicksShreyas Iyer SisterUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce RelationshipIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: India’s room air-conditioner market is heading into the summer season under clear price pressure, even as companies remain bullish on long-term growth. Manufacturers including Blue Star have indicated further price hikes, driven by rising commodity costs, tighter energy-efficiency labelling norms that came into effect in Jan 2026 and current global headwinds. “The increase…

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Apr 08, 2026, 07:48 IST

Apr 08, 2026, 07:48 IST

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Hardik Pandya and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI/ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was left in awe of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster’s explosive knock helped Rajasthan Royals secure a convincing 27-run win in a rain-hit IPL 2026 clash on Tuesday.In a match reduced to 11 overs per side in Guwahati, Sooryavanshi’s…

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Is Marvel teasing Kingpin’s fall? ‘Daredevil: Born Again 2’ hints at major shake-up ahead of ‘Spider Man: Brand New Day‘

Is Marvel teasing Kingpin’s fall? ‘Daredevil: Born Again 2’ hints at major shake-up ahead of ‘Spider Man: Brand New Day‘

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

In ‘Daredevil: Born Again Season 2’, the rise of Kingpin to mayor has thrown New York into disarray, with whispers of treachery swirling among his inner circle. Spoiler Alert: This article contains significant plot details and spoilers for ‘Daredevil: Born Again Season 2‘. If you haven’t seen ‘Daredevil: Born again Season 2’ yet and wish…

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Apr 08, 2026, 06:44 IST

Apr 08, 2026, 06:44 IST

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Divya Deshmukh vs Anna Muzychuk (Photo by Michal Walusza) NEW DELHI: After the relative calm of Monday’s rest day, where some players were out on the court playing padel, the storm returned to the boards at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus with a hint of vengeance. Tuesday’s Round 8 of the…

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Taylor Frankie Paul’s new allegations against Dakota Mortensen: Says she was subjected to ‘assault, harassment, stalking’

Taylor Frankie Paul’s new allegations against Dakota Mortensen: Says she was subjected to ‘assault, harassment, stalking’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

In a troubling turn of events, reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul has taken legal action against her estranged partner, Dakota Mortensen, seeking a protective order. She has accused him of a series of alarming assaults, including violently slamming her head against a dashboard and kicking her while she was down. TRIGGER WARNING: This article…

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Pisces Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Keep your work communication crisp today

Pisces Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Keep your work communication crisp today

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Recognition at work pours in from your superiors, boosting your morale and fueling your professional journey. Nevertheless, you might experience some concern regarding your child’s behavior—try to maintain open lines of communication to soothe any worries. Your spouse is a source of happiness, so engage in meaningful conversations together. Respect comes your way. Superiors support…

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Image: IANS NEW DELHI: Highway construction and awards for new works fell to a seven-year low in 2025-26, official data show. While overall construction stood at less than 10,000 km, a first since 2019-20, barely 7,000 km of works were awarded in FY26.The reasons for the fall in performance on these two key parameters in the highway sector include road agencies’ following stricter pre-condition of land availability and clearances before bidding out projects and a sharp decline in conversion of state highways to National Highways (NHs).Officials said that agencies have maintained “self-restraint” to ensure that projects once bid out don’t get stuck or delayed due to non-availability of land and other issues, such as forest and environment clearance and utility shifting.“Projects getting delayed serve no purpose; rather this results in cost escalation. A lot of efforts have been put into bringing down the number of delayed projects. Second, the focus now is on building more economic corridors and expressways rather than incremental expansion of existing highways,” an official said.National Highways Corporation of India (NHAI), which is responsible for construction and maintenance of wider highways, said last week the agency had constructed 5,313 km of NHs, which was about 15% higher than the target of 4,640 km for the year.Industry insiders said that as the number of NH development projects offered by NHAI and other agencies have fallen substantially, contractors are scrambling to get work, quoting rates up to 42% less than bid prices. “The impact of fewer projects being bid out will be visible in the next couple of years,” said a senior executive of a major highway developer.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123Photostories8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising waysYou have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 202610 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hits123Hot PicksThierry HenryUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Image: IANS NEW DELHI: Highway construction and awards for new works fell to a seven-year low in 2025-26, official data show. While overall construction stood at less than 10,000 km, a first since 2019-20, barely 7,000 km of works were awarded in FY26.The reasons for the fall in performance on these two key parameters in the highway sector include road agencies’ following stricter pre-condition of land availability and clearances before bidding out projects and a sharp decline in conversion of state highways to National Highways (NHs).Officials said that agencies have maintained “self-restraint” to ensure that projects once bid out don’t get stuck or delayed due to non-availability of land and other issues, such as forest and environment clearance and utility shifting.“Projects getting delayed serve no purpose; rather this results in cost escalation. A lot of efforts have been put into bringing down the number of delayed projects. Second, the focus now is on building more economic corridors and expressways rather than incremental expansion of existing highways,” an official said.National Highways Corporation of India (NHAI), which is responsible for construction and maintenance of wider highways, said last week the agency had constructed 5,313 km of NHs, which was about 15% higher than the target of 4,640 km for the year.Industry insiders said that as the number of NH development projects offered by NHAI and other agencies have fallen substantially, contractors are scrambling to get work, quoting rates up to 42% less than bid prices. “The impact of fewer projects being bid out will be visible in the next couple of years,” said a senior executive of a major highway developer.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123Photostories8 animals that shed their skin in the most surprising waysYou have heard of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol: But what if that’s not the full story and you’re reading it wrong?5 cheapest Indian states to buy gold in 202610 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hits123Hot PicksThierry HenryUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Highway construction and awards for new works fell to a seven-year low in 2025-26, official data show. While overall construction stood at less than 10,000 km, a first since 2019-20, barely 7,000 km of works were awarded in FY26.The reasons for the fall in performance on these two key parameters in the highway…

Read More