Advertisement
18 Feb 2026
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revised toll rules for National Expressways that are partially operational. Under the new amendment, tolls on incomplete expressway sections will be charged at standard National Highway rates instead of the usual expressway fee, which is 25% higher. This change, effective mid February, will remain valid for up to one year or until full expressway completion. Authorities aim to encourage motorists to use open stretches, reduce congestion on parallel highways, improve logistics efficiency, and make travel more economical and seamless.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Tamdeen Real Estate has started its latest project, The Farm, in the Sabah Al Salem area of Kuwait, under the Tamdeen Shopping Center brand. Construction costs are estimated at nearly KWD 12 million, while the total project investment, including land, is around KWD 40 million. The project continues Tamdeen's strategy of developing modern retail and mixed-use spaces in strategic locations across Kuwait. With a track record of successful commercial developments, The Farm is expected to enhance shopping and leisure options in the area and strengthen the company's position in the local real estate sector.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Andhra Pradesh has moved ahead with plans to set up a large shipbuilding and ship repair facility at Machilipatnam as part of its maritime infrastructure expansion. The project will be developed through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model, with private participation invited through a competitive bidding process. The state maritime board has completed internal approvals for issuing the request for proposals. The facility is expected to strengthen coastal industrial activity, generate employment, and support the state&s long-term port-led development strategy.Read more
18 Feb 2026
The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has approved the development of 474 new residential layouts across the city, officials said on Tuesday, as part of efforts to increase regulated housing supply. The sanctioned layouts will be developed across multiple zones, with planning permissions granted subject to prevailing norms. However, the move has drawn concerns from homebuyer groups and local activists over the delay in issuance of completion certificates (C.C.) for earlier projects, which has left many buyers waiting for possession despite finishing construction. VDA authorities have stated that pending C.C. issues are being addressed through coordination with relevant departments, while new layout approvals will follow strict compliance checks. The development comes amid sustained demand for formal housing options in Varanasi, driven by urbanisation and local economic growth.Read more
18 Feb 2026
A unit of Red Sea International Company agreed to undertake a significant subcontract for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works along with related civil construction in a project based in Riyadh City. The deal, valued at SAR 175.9 million (excluding VAT), covers engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning and handover. The contract spans about 30 months and was signed with Modern Building Leaders. This builds on the subsidiary's track record as a leading MEP contractor in Saudi Arabia, contributing to future revenues and profits.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Indian Railways is aiming to generate an additional INR 30,000 crore in freight revenue over the next three years by scaling up its Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals network. The plan focuses on increasing the number of terminals, improving use of underutilised goods sheds, and attracting cargo from sectors such as automobiles, cement, containers and salt. Policy changes also allow value-added facilities on railway land and offer safety-linked maintenance support, strengthening rail's role in the national logistics system.Read more
18 Feb 2026
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has approved an outlay of INR 48,072.5 crore for 2026-27, with nearly 87 per cent of the budget committed to infrastructure development across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plan reflects a clear shift towards transport-led growth, metro expansion and decentralised urban development. A key highlight is the allocation of INR 4,000 crore for the Mumbai 3.0 programme aimed at developing new growth centres. The budget also records the authority's first surplus in nearly ten years, indicating improved financial management.Read more
18 Feb 2026
The Andhra Pradesh government has given the go-ahead to set up the first Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Visakhapatnam, aiming to accelerate slum redevelopment, improve living conditions and streamline rehabilitation processes. The decision follows approval of a detailed project report, and the authority will be tasked with preparing slum redevelopment plans, coordinating with civic bodies and implementing rehabilitation schemes in the city. Officials said the move is intended to address longstanding issues related to informal settlements, enhance infrastructure and unlock urban renewal opportunities. The authority will work on land pooling, redevelopment incentives, and integrating slum pockets with existing city planning frameworks. Government sources noted that the initiative could serve as a model for other cities in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting a growing focus on inclusive urban development.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Amazon Web Services India (AWS India) and Yotta Data Services will collaborate to deploy a hybrid cloud infrastructure for the National Informatics Centre's (NIC) Meghraj 2.0 initiative, aimed at strengthening digital governance in the country. Meghraj, also known as the GI Cloud, seeks to accelerate delivery of e-services through cloud computing. Under the partnership, AWS India will work with Yotta to implement AWS Outposts within NIC data centres, enabling government departments to leverage advanced AWS services including generative artificial intelligence while meeting data residency and security requirements. The solution will allow sensitive workloads to remain within NIC facilities, while providing elastic scalability by connecting to AWS Regions in India during peak demand periods, ensuring seamless performance for citizen-facing services and mission-critical applications.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Ranchi's urban development department has submitted a detailed mobility plan to the central government aimed at improving traffic flow and public transport in the city. The proposal covers widening and upgrading about 160 km of key roads, construction of nine flyovers at congested junctions, and improvements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. It also includes plans for three proposed metro corridors spanning nearly 51 km, which have been sent for feasibility studies. The plan seeks to address long-standing congestion and parking challenges across major city areas.Read more
Advertisement
18 Feb 2026
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop dedicated Bee Corridors along national highways to support pollinator conservation and reduce ecological stress, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) said on Tuesday. At least three such corridors are planned for 2026-27, beginning April 1. The initiative will involve planting continuous stretches of bee-friendly vegetation, including flowering trees and plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the year. Around 40 lakh trees are proposed to be planted along highways in 2026-27, with nearly 60 per cent under the Bee Corridor programme. The corridors will be developed on selected highway stretches and vacant NHAI land parcels, with planting clusters spaced 500 metres to 1 kilometre apart to align with the average foraging distance of honeybees and wild pollinators.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) on Tuesday said its Security Solutions business has secured a contract from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to deploy next-generation gates and an integrated perimeter security system at the airport. The mandate includes installation of Under Vehicle Scanning Systems (UVSS) integrated with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and high-performance tyre killers across key access points. The deployment will cover entry and exit gates of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, enabling end-to-end monitoring of vehicular movement. The project marks CIAL's first large-scale implementation of a comprehensive vehicular access control system. GEG said the order strengthens its footprint in the aviation security segment, particularly in southern India, amid rising demand for advanced, regulation-ready airport security infrastructure.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Torrent Power has agreed to acquire 100 per cent equity in Nabha Power from L&T Power Development for INR 6,889 crore, pending regulatory approvals. NPL operates a 1,400 MW supercritical coal plant in Punjab under a 25-year PPA, with secure coal supply agreements. The acquisition will expand Torrent Power's operational capacity from 5 GW to 6.4 GW, strengthen cash flows, and enhance profitability from day one. NPL reported revenues of INR 4,866 crore and adjusted EBITDA of INR 1,153 crore in FY25, reflecting high operational efficiency with a 95.36% plant availability.Read more
18 Feb 2026
India's retail market is projected to grow from INR 90-95 lakh crore in 2025 to nearly INR 210-215 lakh crore by 2035, driven by the country's rising economic position. The report by BCG and RAI highlights that retailers who focus on disciplined execution, structural transformation, and AI-led innovation will capture the most value. AI is increasingly influencing consumer decisions and agentic commerce, particularly among urban Gen Z shoppers. End-to-end AI adoption across merchandising, supply chain, and services can deliver 40-60% performance gains, making comprehensive transformation crucial for future success.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Vayona Energy has signed its first deal to supply 18 SG 3.6-145 wind turbines, totaling 64.8 MW, for a project in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, alongside a long-term maintenance contract. The company began operations in December 2025 after TPG and MAVCO Investments acquired the wind turbine manufacturer from Siemens Gamesa. Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity, contributing to India's renewable energy growth. The Kadapa project highlights Vayona Energy's entry into India's wind energy sector and signals potential future growth opportunities as demand for clean energy infrastructure rises.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the temporary campus of Indian Institute of Management Guwahati and commissioned the National Data Centre for the Northeast during his visit to Assam earlier this week. The new IIM expands management education access in the region, while the data centre is expected to support government digital services and disaster recovery needs. The visit also included the rollout of electric buses and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving urban services and connectivity.Read more
18 Feb 2026
AI is emerging as a vital tool for improving road safety and controlling pollution in India. Government officials believe that technologies such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication, automated data capture, and AI-driven monitoring can reduce accidents, maintain accurate records, and improve enforcement of traffic rules. Additionally, AI-based education programs in schools could raise awareness among young drivers. Pilot efforts, such as collaboration with IIT Madras, aim to make these solutions practical and impactful in urban areas where traffic fatalities and pollution are of particular concern.Read more
18 Feb 2026
EaseMyTrip is set to raise up to INR 500 crore to boost its operations in high-potential segments, focusing on hotels and holidays. The board has approved the plan to raise funds through equity shares or other eligible securities, which may be executed in multiple tranches via rights issues, QIP, preferential issues, or private placements, subject to approvals. The capital will also support technology investments, platform improvements, and strategic initiatives. Founder Nishant Pitti highlighted that the move is aimed at ensuring flexible, sustainable, and disciplined growth.Read more
18 Feb 2026
Transrail Lighting has won new domestic EPC contracts worth INR 2,350 crore, mainly in the transmission and distribution segment, along with civil and poles and lighting works. With these additions, the company's FY26 order inflows have crossed INR 7,980 crore. The latest transmission orders largely involve 765 kV lines, indicating strong execution capability. The company also remains the lowest bidder for projects exceeding INR 800 crore and continues to see a healthy bidding pipeline across domestic and international markets.Read more
18 Feb 2026
The Gujarat government has appointed veteran banker Uday Kotak as the chairman of GIFT City, replacing Hasmukh Adhia, who held the position since mid-2023. The move is aimed at strengthening leadership at India's only operational International Financial Services Centre. Kotak brings decades of experience in banking and financial markets and is the founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank. His appointment comes as the central government has extended tax incentives for GIFT City entities to improve global competitiveness.Read more
Advertisement
