INFORM: Infrastructure, Projects & Finance – Aug 2026

In our latest edition, we have shared the trends shaping the infrastructure landscape and key developments in projects and finance, with certain case laws highlighting the judicial perspective.

Case laws:

• NHAI Cannot Arbitrarily Terminate EPC Contract Despite Arbitration Clause: Allahabad High Court
• Mandatory Tender Conditions Cannot Be Relaxed After Bid Submission: Punjab and Haryana High Court
• IBC Liquidation Sale Certificates Not Liable to Stamp Duty Unless Used Otherwise: Bombay High Court
• Debarment Not Amenable to Interim Relief Under Section 9 of the Arbitration Act: Delhi High Court
• Debarment for Tender Fraud Does Not Violate Natural Justice Where Hearing Is Granted: Karnataka High Court
• Tendering Authority Best Placed to Prescribe Technical Eligibility Criteria: Delhi High Court

Notifications/circulars:

• NHAI Prescribes Phased Release Mechanism for Additional Performance Security
• MoRTH Directs Descoping of Bridge Health Monitoring System Works from Existing Contracts
• NHAI Notifies Applicable Interest Rate (Jul-Sep 2026) for HAM Projects
• NHLML Entrusts O&M of Port Road SPVs to NHAI on Deposit Work Basis
• Comments Sought on Proposed External Safety Audit Framework for BESS Plants
• NHAI Professionalises InvIT-led Operations and Maintenance of National Highway Assets
• MNRE Issues MSA for Electrolyser-as-a-Service to Accelerate Green Hydrogen Adoption

Quick Reads

• Indian Shipyards Seek Balanced Risk Allocation in Government Shipbuilding Tenders
• MoRTH Proposes Mandatory Cybersecurity Framework for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
• Government Strengthens Regulatory Framework to Position India as a Global Aircraft MRO Hub
• Gujarat Highlights Policy Framework to Drive Green Hydrogen Investments
• DoT Introduces Data Localisation and Compliance Framework
• Government Approves Rs.28,840 Crore Outlay for the Next Phase of the UDAN Scheme
• Public InvITs Gain Momentum as a Preferred Funding Mechanism for Road Infrastructure