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10 Mar 2026
The Maharashtra government has announced a major underground metro corridor connecting Wadala to the Gateway of India in Mumbai at an estimated cost of INR 23,487 crore. The project, proposed as Metro Line 11, was outlined during the state budget presentation and aims to strengthen connectivity to South Mumbai. The government also indicated plans to extend the line from Dharavi to Bandra suburban railway station and Bandra Terminus in the future. Along with this corridor, the state highlighted progress on several metro expansions, tunnel projects and transport infrastructure developments aimed at improving urban mobility across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.Read more
10 Mar 2026
Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to undertake urgent repairs and safety assessments at the Singur Dam, a key water source supplying drinking water to Hyderabad and supporting irrigation in nearby districts. The move follows warnings from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) regarding structural concerns at the reservoir. The minister ordered immediate technical interventions, including underwater inspections, sonar surveys and accelerated repair works, to detect and address potential damage without draining the reservoir. Authorities have been instructed to complete the safety works within a single working season to prevent disruptions to irrigation and avoid a potential crop holiday. The government has also set deadlines to finish remaining canal lining works linked to the Singur project.Read more
10 Mar 2026
The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has directed the Mumbai Suburban district administration to conduct a site inspection at Gorai Beach following complaints of possible violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms during jetty construction. The complaint, filed by environmental NGO Vanashakti, alleged that the structure was built through reclamation and at a location different from what had been approved earlier. MCZMA has asked the District Collector to submit a factual report within seven days and take necessary action if any violations of CRZ rules or clearance conditions are confirmed.Read more
09 Mar 2026
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has opened the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi to treat sewage from external sources, in response to the city's growing waste management crisis. Originally built to process only stadium waste, the plant has been upgraded to handle 750 kilolitres per day (KLD) of sewage. The decision follows directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) urging authorities to address the city's severe sewage treatment gap. Kochi generates about 82 million litres of sewage daily, but existing infrastructure treats only 3-6%, leaving the majority untreated. By opening the facility to outside sewage, GCDA aims to utilize the previously underused plant, reduce environmental pollution and generate revenue to support additional sewage treatment infrastructure.Read more
09 Mar 2026
Authorities in Bengaluru have announced a new traffic management plan aimed at improving pedestrian safety and reducing congestion. The proposal includes building 101 skywalks at major junctions to allow pedestrians to cross busy roads safely and avoid conflicts with vehicles. Officials have also relocated 103 poorly positioned bus stops to streamline public transport movement and reduce bottlenecks on key roads. In addition, 137 waterlogging-prone locations across the city have been identified for urgent drainage repairs ahead of the monsoon season. The initiatives will be incorporated into the upcoming budget of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Officials said these measures form part of a broader effort to improve traffic flow, urban mobility and civic infrastructure in the rapidly growing city.Read more
09 Mar 2026
The Haryana government has unveiled plans to transform Ambala Cantonment into a metropolitan hub through the development of seven new sectors under the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), officials said in the past week. Announced by Anil Vij, Haryana's Minister for Energy, Transport and Labour, the sectors 27, 28, 36, 40, 40-A, 41-A and 42 will be developed across approximately 1,000 acres, extending urbanisation into adjoining villages including Ghasitpur, Bohawa and Shahpur. The expansion plan encompasses residential, commercial, industrial and open space zones, alongside enhanced transport and communication infrastructure. The state has also launched an e-Bhoomi portal to facilitate voluntary land aggregation, aimed at ensuring transparency and fair compensation for landowners. The initiative is part of broader efforts to bolster infrastructure, improve living standards and align Ambala's growth trajectory with metropolitan ambitions.Read more
09 Mar 2026
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to convert a 12,964 square metre (about 3.2-acre) recreation ground in Marol, Andheri East, along the Mithi River into what is expected to be Mumbai's first public urban forest. The plot, which currently has around 150 trees, has remained largely unused for several years. The project will be implemented through corporate social responsibility funding with support from environmental NGO Green Yatra. The plan includes dense plantations, biodiversity zones, and recreational facilities such as walking paths, children's play areas, and spaces for senior citizens.Read more
09 Mar 2026
The National Highways Authority of India has deployed more than 5,100 women staff during day shifts at over 1,140 toll plazas across India's national highways and expressway network as part of a nationwide initiative to promote gender inclusivity and women's empowerment. The move, supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aims to increase female participation in frontline operational roles while improving service delivery at toll plazas. The decision follows consultations with toll operators and industry bodies, including the National Highways Builder Federation and the Highway Operators Association of India. Authorities said more women staff are expected to join the initiative, which will also include specialised training programmes to support professional and safe toll operations.Read more
09 Mar 2026
Markolines Pavement Technologies has secured multiple infrastructure work orders worth about INR 440 crore across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra, the company said on Friday. The contracts include highway maintenance, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), and other infrastructure development works. According to the company, the total value of the orders stands at INR 439.74 crore, inclusive of GST, and the projects are scheduled to be executed over the next 12 months. The order wins underline the company's continued expansion beyond its core highway asset management and pavement technology services into larger infrastructure development projects, as it looks to strengthen its presence in India's road infrastructure sector.Read more
09 Mar 2026
IBM has launched its first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, strengthening India's role in developing enterprise-grade artificial intelligence (AI) and infrastructure technologies. The facility, located at the India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus, is designed as a collaborative engineering hub where IBM teams will work with clients, software vendors, and system integrators to build secure and scalable AI solutions. By bringing together experts across processors, operating systems, firmware, and virtualization, the centre aims to accelerate the development of hybrid-cloud and AI infrastructure systems. The launch highlights IBM's increasing reliance on India for advanced engineering and product ownership in areas such as mainframes, servers, storage, and cloud technologies, while reinforcing Bengaluru's position as a global technology innovation hub.Read more
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09 Mar 2026
Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has been recognised as the world's best airport for arrivals for the fourth consecutive year at the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards by Airports Council International. The recognition is based on passenger feedback collected through global surveys that assess the overall arrival experience, including immigration, baggage delivery, cleanliness, and ease of navigation. The airport, operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited, has maintained consistent service standards over the past few years through infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements aimed at providing faster and more convenient arrivals for travellers.Read more
09 Mar 2026
State-owned National Highways Authority of India-backed Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust has announced a price band of INR 99 to INR 100 per unit for its INR 6,000 crore Initial Public Offering. The InvIT issue is scheduled to open for subscription on March 11 and close on March 13, while bidding for anchor investors will take place on March 10. The public issue aims to attract wider investor participation in national highway infrastructure while helping monetise highway assets. The investment manager for the trust is Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd., which includes participation from several leading banks and financial institutions.Read more
09 Mar 2026
The proposed master plans for Bhopal and Indore have been placed on hold as the Madhya Pradesh government moves to finalise broader metropolitan region planning under the newly enacted Madhya Pradesh Metropolitan Region Planning and Development Act, 2025, a senior minister informed the state assembly in the past week. Although draft master plans for both cities were completed about 18 months ago, they may be reworked to align with regional strategies envisaged for the two metropolitan clusters, which include surrounding districts such as Ujjain, Dewas and Dhar for Indore and Sehore, Raisen and Vidisha for Bhopal. The pause reflects a policy shift towards integrated regional planning and comes amid concerns that outdated or delayed planning frameworks have hindered urban development and investment confidence in the state's largest cities. Officials indicated that specialised metropolitan planning committees and authorities will now prepare cohesive, area-specific development plans.Read more
09 Mar 2026
A recent government survey in **Odisha has identified approximately 120 unsafe buildings spread across 18 districts, raising safety concerns in urban and semi-urban areas, officials said in the past week. The survey, carried out as part of a broader structural safety audit, flagged buildings that pose potential hazards due to their fragile or deteriorated conditions. The findings are expected to lead to urgent action by local authorities, including issuing notices to occupants, rehabilitation or demolition of high-risk structures and reinforcement where feasible. Districts such as Cuttack reported a higher concentration of unsafe buildings, with authorities set to examine repair, vacate or demolition options to prevent accidents and protect residents and neighbouring communities. The exercise underlines the challenge of maintaining ageing building stock and enforcing safety norms across the state.Read more
08 Mar 2026
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has made it compulsory for large housing societies to install monitoring sensors on sewage treatment plants (STPs) to ensure proper wastewater treatment and prevent untreated sewage from entering the city's drainage network and rivers. The rule applies to residential complexes with more than 100 flats and will cover nearly 750 private STPs across Pune. The sensors will send real-time operational and water quality data to a central civic monitoring system. The step forms part of the civic body's wider effort to control pollution in the Mula Mutha river and strengthen sewage management in the city.Read more
08 Mar 2026
A scientific study by the Indian Institute of Science has raised concerns about a possible groundwater shortage in several parts of Bengaluru, identifying around 65 wards that could face supply stress during the coming summer months. The findings show a steady fall in groundwater levels due to heavy dependence on borewells and rising urban demand. In response, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has prepared an emergency plan worth about INR 10 crore. The plan includes tanker deployment, stricter monitoring of borewells, faster water connections, and conservation measures to manage potential shortages.Read more
08 Mar 2026
The district administration in Thiruvananthapuram has asked Southern Railway to complete the pending works on Vattavila Suresh Road and submit a compliance report. A portion of the road was earlier handed over to the railway authorities for the railway line-doubling project near Nemom. Residents had raised concerns about safety and loss of connectivity after the road was removed for construction activities. Railway officials had earlier agreed to construct a retaining wall and build a tarred road to restore access. However, the work remains incomplete more than 18 months after the railway project began.Read more
08 Mar 2026
KPMG International leaders met with Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee to discuss implementing global standards in contract management and infrastructure governance across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The talks focused on risk management, procurement reforms, dispute avoidance, and digital performance monitoring to reduce delays and cost overruns. Separately, Dr. Mukherjee hosted the Russian Consul General, who presented a draft cooperation program covering urban mobility, healthcare, education, trade, and cultural exchange, while inviting MMRDA to upcoming smart city forums. These initiatives aim to strengthen international collaboration, enhance urban project delivery, and expand economic and innovation opportunities for the region.Read more
08 Mar 2026
The Bombay High Court has asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to respond to a public interest litigation seeking a third-party safety audit of Mumbai's metro infrastructure after a slab collapse at the Metro Line 4 construction site in Mulund. The petition also requests a halt to construction at the accident location and details of compensation provided to those injured. The incident involved a heavy concrete parapet slab falling from an elevated structure onto vehicles on LBS Marg, injuring three people. The case has raised wider concerns about safety practices at metro construction sites across the city.Read more
08 Mar 2026
The Union government has made the process of obtaining permissions for access roads and utility connections along national highways completely digital through the upgraded Rajmarg Pravesh Portal. The platform allows individuals, companies and government agencies to apply online for No Objection Certificates for fuel stations, industries, private properties, wayside amenities and connecting roads. Applications for utilities such as pipelines, optical fibre cables and electricity lines can also be submitted digitally. The system introduces defined timelines, online tracking and reduced paperwork, aiming to bring greater transparency and faster approvals in highway-related infrastructure development.Read more
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