Modi Government Accused of Favoring Adani in Kerala Highway Projects

Kerala Adani Highway Projects Modi Government Congress

April 29, 20267 min readAsia

Modi Government Accused of Favoring Adani in Kerala Highway Projects

Congress claims Adani benefits from highway contracts in Kerala

{"results": [{"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/in-kerala-modi-government-favouring-adani-group-in-highway-road-projects-venugopal/article70399783.ece", "title": "In Kerala, Modi government favouring Adani group in highway road projects: Venugopal - The Hindu", "author": "The Hindu Bureau", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports a Congress accusation that the Modi government is favouring the Adani group in Kerala highway projects, framing it as a \u201chighway scam.\u201d Congress MP K. C. Venugopal alleged that National Highway projects (notably NH 66 and NH 544) from Kasaragod to Kollam are collapsing, implying unsafe planning and overpriced awards.\n- Venugopal claimed some Kerala road projects were awarded at up to \u20b945 crore per kilometer, suggesting disproportionate profits and lack of transparency in awarding contracts.\n- The piece frames the discussion as part of a broader critique of road-expansion spending, safety, and governance, with focus on alleged favoritism toward Adani in Kerala.\n\nHow this relates to your query:\n- Your query centers on the Ganga Expressway (Meerut to Prayagraj, ~594 km), UPEIDA, Adani Enterprises\u2019 packages in 2022, DBFOT projects with IRB Infrastructure, district-wide cost estimates, and a \u20b936,000 crore figure. The Hindu article cited, however, discusses Kerala highway projects and Adani favoritism claims specifically in that state, not the Ganga Expressway or the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Development Authority (UPEIDA).\n- Key takeaway relevant to your question: the article portrays allegations of Adani group favoritism in highway awarding practices, but it concerns Kerala and two NH stretches (NH 66, NH 544), not the Ganga Expressway project in Uttar Pradesh or the stated 2022 Adani package details.\n\nIf you want, I can:\n- Pull or summarize a source specifically about the Ganga Expressway, UPEIDA, Adani Enterprises\u2019 2022 packages, IRB Infrastructure, district-wise cost estimates, and the \u20b936,000 crore figure.\n- Compare the Kerala-related allegations in The Hindu with the Uttar Pradesh Ganga Expressway context to highlight similarities or differences in procurement practices and allegations of favoritism."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/business/committed-to-investing-additional-50000-crore-over-next-10-years-in-northeastern-states-gautam-adani/article69609605.ece", "title": "Committed to investing additional \u20b950,000 crore over next 10 years in Northeastern States: Gautam Adani - The Hindu", "author": "PTI", "summary": "Summary:\n- Gautam Adani announced a fresh commitment to invest \u20b950,000 crore over the next 10 years in the Northeastern states, expanding the Adani Group\u2019s footprint beyond Assam\u2019s earlier \u20b950,000 crore pledge.\n- The planned investments cover green energy (including smart meters, hydro, pumped storage, and power transmission), roads and highways, digital infrastructure, logistics, and capacity-building through skilling and vocational training centers.\n- The emphasis is on local employment, local entrepreneurship, and community engagement, aligning with PM Modi\u2019s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.\n- Adani highlighted that the Northeast is a gateway to Southeast Asia and stressed that investments will complement existing initiatives and focus on people alongside infrastructure.\n- Context note: The article references prior Adani commitments in Assam and frames the Northeast expansion within the broader national development push, including political leadership and regional growth strategies."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/rapid-rail-services-to-reduce-travel-time-between-meerut-delhi-to-around-40-45-minutes-up-cm/article70663040.ece", "title": "Rapid rail services to reduce travel time between Meerut, Delhi to around 40-45 minutes: U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath - The Hindu", "author": "PTI", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The Hindu reports that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted rapid rail initiatives and Meerut Metro as part of a broader push to upgrade infrastructure under Prime Minister Modi.\n- Key claim: rapid rail services are expected to cut travel time between Meerut and Delhi to about 40-45 minutes, driven by expressways, rapid rail, and metro links.\n- The CM credited the PM\u2019s regular project reviews for fast-tracking infrastructure valued at \u20b985 lakh crore that had stalled for decades.\n- The new Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Meerut Metro are intended to boost regional connectivity, complementing other big-ticket projects such as a sports university in Meerut, semiconductor efforts in Gautam Buddh Nagar, and the Noida International Airport.\n- The article situates these developments within a broader narrative of \u201cViksit Bharat\u201d (prosperous India) and notes international recognition of India\u2019s digital and welfare delivery achievements.\n\nIf your query is specifically about Ganga Expressway, Meerut-Prayagraj connectivity, or UPEIDA/DBFOT/IRB packages, this article focuses on rapid rail, Meerut Metro, and higher-level infrastructure progress rather than detailed project disclosures, package awards, or district-by-district cost breakdowns. For those details, I can pull a focused brief."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-highways-construction-pace-slows-to-29kmday-in-fy25-gadkari/article69846220.ece", "title": "National highways construction pace slows to 29km/day in FY25: Gadkari - The Hindu", "author": "PTI", "summary": "Summary:\n- The Hindu reports that India's national highways construction pace slowed to 29 km/day in fiscal year 2023-24, down from 34 km/day, with the record high of 37 km/day in 2020-21. The information was provided by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.\n- The article places project development within the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan framework, noting that all NH development projects, including access-controlled expressways, are planned per GatiShakti principles.\n- The piece does not mention specific projects such as the Ganga Expressway (Meerut to Prayagraj, 594 km) or details about UPEIDA, Adani Enterprises packages, IRB Infrastructure, or district-by-district cost estimates. It focuses on overall construction pace statistics and policy alignment under GatiShakti.\n\nIf you\u2019re specifically looking for details on the Ganga Expressway (Meerut to Prayagraj) and related packages (UPEIDA, Adani Enterprises), this article does not provide those project-level particulars. For that, you may want to check official project briefs from UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), press releases from Adani Enterprises, IRB Infrastructure, and NHAI project disclosures."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/four-major-infrastructure-firms-bid-for-tunnel-road-project-in-bengaluru/article70274503.ece", "title": "4 major infrastructure firms bid for tunnel road project in Bengaluru - The Hindu", "author": "The Hindu Bureau", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports four major infrastructure bidders for Bengaluru\u2019s 16.74 km twin-tunnel road project: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Adani Group, Vishwa Samudra Engineering, and Dilip Buildcon Limited, bidding under Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE).\n- Project aims: connect Esteem Mall Junction (Hebbal) to Central Silk Board Junction with two 8.748 km packages, each with two tunnels and three lanes, using at least eight TBMs.\n- Business model: Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) with a 34-year concession (including construction), targeting operational status by end-2029 after a 50-month construction period.\n- Costs: Package 1 estimated at \u20b98,770 crore; Package 2 at \u20b98,928 crore. Financial guarantees required: ~\u20b943.85 crore (Pkg 1) and ~\u20b944.64 crore (Pkg 2).\n- Timeline: Global tenders issued July 2025; bids opened after multiple deadline extensions, with all four firms submitting before the final deadline.\n- Context: Project is controversial with PILs in Karnataka High Court and National Green Tribunal; Deputy CM supports it as a congestion solution on key north-south corridors."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-clears-417-crore-electronics-manufacturing-cluster-in-uttar-pradesh-under-emc-scheme/article69736682.ece", "title": "Government clears \u20b9417-crore electronics manufacturing cluster in Uttar Pradesh under EMC scheme - The Hindu", "author": "The Hindu Bureau", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The Hindu reports that the Union Government has cleared a \u20b9417 crore Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida/Greater Noida), under EMC 2.0.\n- The cluster will be developed by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and funded through EMC 2.0, with disbursements programmed through April 2028.\n- Government projections claim the project will create about 15,000 jobs and help build world-class infrastructure.\n- Location advantages highlighted include strong road, rail, and air connectivity via Yamuna Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and the upcoming Palwal\u2013Khurja Expressway, plus proximity to Jewar International Airport and nearby industrial zones (Medical Device Park, MSME & Apparel Park, Aviation Hub).\n- The UP state government will play a significant role in implementation, with officials instructed to collaborate closely to accelerate execution.\n\nNote: The user\u2019s query mentions Ganga Expressway, Uttar Pradesh infrastructure projects, and various EPC/DBFOT deals; this article is solely about an EMC cluster in Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida/Greater Noida) under EMC 2.0, with no direct relation to the Ganga Expressway, Adani/IRB packaging, or the DBFOT model. If you want a comparison or extraction of UP infrastructure projects (including Ganga Expressway) and related agencies (UPEIDA, IRB, etc.), I can provide a focused brief."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/up-cm-inaugurates-9135-km-long-gorakhpur-link-expressway/article69718362.ece", "title": "U.P. CM inaugurates 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway - The Hindu", "author": "Mayank Kumar", "summary": "Summary:\n\nThe Hindu reports on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath\u2019s inauguration of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, a 91.35 km corridor built at about \u20b97,283 crore. The CM frames the project as evidence that UP is shedding its BIMARU label and becoming an \u201cExpressway State,\u201d with world-class connectivity benefiting Azamgarh and nearby districts (Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Gorakhpur). He contrasts prior regimes\u2019 alleged corruption and mafia influence with the current government\u2019s development push, noting UP already has major expressways (Purvanchal and Bundelkhand) and six more under construction. The article underscores UP\u2019s broader infrastructure strategy to drive growth, tourism, and investment, while highlighting the political framing around Modi-era reforms and the BJP\u2019s governance.\n\nIf you\u2019re researching whether the Gorakhpur Link Expressway aligns with other large-scale packages (e.g., Ganga Expressway, Meerut-Prayagraj corridor) or comparing project models (DBFOT/PPP) and cost estimates, this piece confirms UP\u2019s emphasis on expressways as catalysts for regional development and institutional transformation."}, {"url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wef-2026-adani-group-sets-out-6-lakh-crore-investment-blueprint-for-india/article70532097.ece", "title": "WEF 2026: Adani Group sets out \u20b96 lakh crore investment blueprint for India - The Hindu", "author": "PTI", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The Adani Group unveiled a marquee investment plan worth over \u20b96 lakh crore across aviation, clean energy, urban infrastructure, digital platforms, and advanced manufacturing at the World Economic Forum in Davos (WEF 2026).\n- Key geographic focus: Maharashtra, Assam, and Jharkhand, with large-scale projects designed to shift from standalone assets to integrated, technology-led infrastructure platforms.\n- Assam highlights:\n - Expanded aviation and aerospace ecosystem centered on Guwahati's Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport.\n - New terminal operations anticipated; development includes hospitality, retail, an aviation training academy with full-flight simulators, and MRO facilities for narrow- and wide-body aircraft.\n - Plan to make Guwahati a regional aviation hub for the Northeast.\n - Renewable energy projects in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao adding over 2,700 MW solar capacity.\n - Complementary investments in cement manufacturing to bolster eastern/northeastern supply chains.\n- Maharashtra highlights:\n - Urban redevelopment (including Dharavi) and digital infrastructure.\n - Navi Mumbai International Airport operations and related logistics, commercial, and hospitality ecosystems.\n - Green data centre parks with ~3,000 MW capacity; integrated arena district near the airport.\n - Large-scale pumped storage hydropower (8,700 MW), coal gasification initiatives, and plans for semiconductor/display fabrication facilities.\n - Nuclear power project in line with private sector participation policies.\n- Funding and objectives:\n - Investments are intended to generate jobs, build skills, and advance technology-led inclusion.\n - Align with national priorities: energy transition, manufacturing self-reliance, and regional development.\n- Overall takeaway: The Adani blueprint signals a strategic shift toward creating large, integrated infrastructure platforms backed by private capital, complementing India\u2019s growth priorities and WEF 2026 discourse."}]}

Originally published by The Hindu.

Sources (15)

PM inaugurates Delhi-Dehradun expressway - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Top news of the day: April 14, 2026 - The Hindu

thehindu.com

No cash at toll plazas from April 10; UPI payments to cost 1.25 times more - The Hindu

thehindu.com

SC issues pan-India directions for road safety, says expressways should not become corridor of peril - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Supreme Court seeks response from Centre, others on plea to prevent cattle intrusion on highways - The Hindu

thehindu.com

In Kerala, Modi government favouring Adani group in highway road projects: Venugopal - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Around 489 road projects face delays over land and clearance issues: Nitin Gadkari - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Cabinet nod for 23% hike in cost of link road from Noida airport to Delhi-Mumbai Expressway - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Committed to investing additional ₹50,000 crore over next 10 years in Northeastern States: Gautam Adani - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Rapid rail services to reduce travel time between Meerut, Delhi to around 40-45 minutes: U.P. CM Yogi Adityanath - The Hindu

thehindu.com

National highways construction pace slows to 29km/day in FY25: Gadkari - The Hindu

thehindu.com

4 major infrastructure firms bid for tunnel road project in Bengaluru - The Hindu

thehindu.com

Government clears ₹417-crore electronics manufacturing cluster in Uttar Pradesh under EMC scheme - The Hindu

thehindu.com

U.P. CM inaugurates 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway - The Hindu

thehindu.com

WEF 2026: Adani Group sets out ₹6 lakh crore investment blueprint for India - The Hindu

thehindu.com

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