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06 Mar 2026
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has proposed a comprehensive mission to clean the 313-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna in the state, alongside key welfare and infrastructure measures in the 2026-27 budget. The plan includes scientific treatment of drain water, expansion of sewage capacity and stricter industrial monitoring. The budget also proposes raising minimum wages, installing remaining smart meters, expanding pilgrimage schemes, purchasing electric buses and creating a Special Assistance Fund of INR 100 crore to address salary delays. Air connectivity from Hisar is also set for expansion.Read more
06 Mar 2026
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India (MHRIL) has signed a 110-key resort in Dapoli near Murud Beach, marking a further expansion of its presence along Maharashtra's coastline. The first phase of 52 keys is scheduled for launch in Q1 FY27, with the remaining inventory set to open in Q2 FY27. The addition forms part of the company's FY26-FY30 growth roadmap, under which it plans to exceed 10,000 keys under the Club Mahindra brand and scale its overall portfolio to 12,000 keys. The move reflects MHRIL's strategy of strengthening inventory in high-demand leisure destinations, catering to India's expanding base of holidaying families and growing domestic travel demand.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The Rural Works Department in Bihar has suspended three engineers and moved to blacklist a contractor following the collapse of a section of an under-construction bridge over the Ghoghari river in Gopalganj district, officials said earlier this week. The reinforced cement concrete bridge, part of a INR 2.87 crore project, gave way while casting work was ongoing in Gangwa village's Siddhwalia block, with no casualties reported. A preliminary inspection by the district magistrate found apparent use of substandard materials and poor supervision, prompting immediate departmental action against the project's assistant and junior engineers. The contractor, Bapudham Construction of Motihari, faces blacklisting amid rising public concern over recurring infrastructure failures and oversight lapses in the state's rural works. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to assess quality control and future accountability measures.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The New Delhi Municipal Council has issued a public notice directing residents of the Palika Dham housing complex near Gole Market, New Delhi, to vacate the premises by March 7, 2026, after declaring the building structurally unsafe for habitation. The directive follows a recent structural assessment that found the over-50-year-old brick-masonry Type I residential complex in a dilapidated condition, posing potential risks to occupants. NDMC has offered affected residents alternative accommodation options in Type I and II quarters at regular licence fees, with bidding also closing on March 7. The order, which echoes earlier evacuation notices issued last year, has met with mixed reactions from residents some seeking repairs rather than relocation, and others beginning to explore housing alternatives. The civic body has maintained that no deadline extension will be granted to those still residing in the complex.Read more
06 Mar 2026
India's Indian Railways is preparing to absorb an estimated INR 90,000 crore escalation in the cost of the Mumbai -Ahmedabad bullet train project, raising the total project outlay to nearly INR 1.98 lakh crore from the originally sanctioned INR 1.08 lakh crore. The cost overrun, driven primarily by delays in land acquisition and associated logistical challenges, represents an approximate 83 per cent increase on initial estimates. Senior officials have indicated that additional borrowing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency is unlikely, with the railways instead planning to meet the shortfall largely through gross budgetary support and increased allocations from the Union Budget. The revised estimate will be presented for approval to the Union Cabinet, and the finance ministry is expected to explore funding options to ensure project continuity.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The Maradu Municipality in Kerala has adopted its 2026-27 budget, projecting total revenue of approximately INR 111.27 crore with planned expenditure of around INR 101.84 crore, yielding a surplus of INR 9.42 crore, officials said earlier this week. Presented by Deputy Chairperson Jinson Peter, this is the first municipal budget drawn entirely through the K-Smart digital system. The plan allocates funds to a range of urban infrastructure and community development initiatives, including tourism enhancements in Valanthakkad, installation of LED lighting on key bridges, and lift facilities on the Kundannoor-Thevara bridge. Additional provisions include upgrades to educational facilities, construction of a biowaste treatment plant, renovation of public halls and commercial complexes, and stronger enforcement against illegal hoardings. The budget emphasises both civic improvements and revenue strengthening measures.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has resolved to enforce provisions of the city's building by-laws against properties developed without mandatory off-street parking space, officials said in the past week. The decision follows a review of ongoing construction and newly completed buildings, where multiple developments were found non-compliant with parking requirements stipulated under the Hubballi-Dharwad Development Plan and building regulations. Under the enforcement drive, the civic body will issue notices to violators, seek rectification measures and, if necessary, initiate action under relevant municipal and Karnataka Urban Development Laws. Authorities indicated that adherence to parking norms is critical to easing traffic congestion and ensuring orderly urban growth in one of North Karnataka's largest urban agglomerations. The push aligns with broader efforts to strengthen rule-based development governance amid rising concerns over infrastructure strain and public safety.Read more
06 Mar 2026
Private investment in India's national highways sector is poised to approach INR 1 trillion in the current financial year FY27, driven by the re-emergence of the build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll model and plans to open large-scale corridors to private bidders. Projects worth around INR 35,000 crore are expected to be tendered in the first quarter of the year, with further opportunities worth INR 50,000-60,000 crore likely to follow later in the year. The renewed focus on BOT projects, after a period of subdued private participation, reflects efforts by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India to attract capital by de-risking revenue streams and expanding avenues for institutional investors. This anticipated private commitment would mark one of the highest annual inflows of private capital into India's roads sector, underscoring policy shifts aimed at crowding in long-term funding for infrastructure.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The Chandigarh administration has initiated the first comprehensive amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 (CMP-2031), originally notified in April 2015, as part of a broader effort to modernise urban planning and optimise scarce land resources, officials said in the past week. The revisions follow the central government's Deregulation 2.0 push and are aimed at enhancing land-use efficiency while retaining the city's unique urban identity. Key proposed changes include permitting higher building heights and floor area ratios (FAR) in peripheral areas, liberalising fire safety norms, converting leasehold industrial plots to freehold, introducing zoning flexibility, doing away with minimum land requirements for private schools and creating a strategic land bank. The draft amendments are expected shortly after directions to submit preliminary proposals were issued by the Union Territory's chief secretary, with assurances that heritage and planning principles will be respected.Read more
06 Mar 2026
The Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India to conduct pre-feasibility studies for five potential greenfield airports in the state, officials said in the past week. The agreement was formalised in Dispur, Guwahati, in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior AAI officials, and was signed by the state's Transport Commissioner and AAI Chairman. The proposed sites for the new airports include areas near Manas National Park, Umrangshu, Majuli, Diphu and Charaideo. The initiative is intended to strengthen regional air connectivity, improve access to remote and tourism-rich regions and support economic growth in Assam's interior districts. The move also aims to reinforce the state's role as a key gateway to the North East. The studies will inform subsequent detailed project planning and potential infrastructure investment.Read more
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06 Mar 2026
The Jaipur Development Authority has sanctioned INR 240 crore for construction of a long-awaited Sanganer elevated road in Jaipur, officials confirmed in recent approvals aimed at tackling severe traffic congestion in the city's southern corridor. The executive committee's clearance paves the way for construction of the elevated corridor from the Sanganer flyover to Malpura Gate, with connections through Chordia petrol pump and the Sanganer Railway Overbridge (ROB). Work is expected to begin imminently, with authorities indicating that all required clearances are in place and construction is set to start in early March. The project includes multiple entry and exit ramps to streamline traffic flow and is designed for completion within about 30 months, with an objective to reduce daily congestion for thousands of commuters. The elevated road remains one of several infrastructure initiatives to improve mobility in the Jaipur metropolitan area.Read more
05 Mar 2026
The BMC's 2026-27 budget demonstrates a focused approach to addressing Mumbai's water supply challenges by investing heavily in infrastructure and alternative sources. By reviving the Gargai dam, building water conveyance tunnels, and implementing a desalination plant, the civic body aims to reduce the supply gap while increasing resilience. Combined with efforts to recycle sewage water and expand treatment capacity, these measures are intended to meet long-term demand and ensure sustainable supply. The plan positions the city to better handle future shortages and maintain consistent service for its residents and businesses.Read more
05 Mar 2026
Residents of Tripunithura in Kochi, Kerala are urging authorities to extend the Seaport Airport Road (SPAP Road) beyond its current terminus to ease persistent traffic bottlenecks, local officials and community representatives said in the past week. The existing four-lane arterial road, designed to connect Kochi Seaport with Cochin International Airport, has significantly reduced transit times since its opening, but its current alignment ends near Puthencruz, forcing vehicles onto narrower local roads that are now struggling under increased traffic volumes. Community groups are calling for the SPAP roadway to be extended towards Thripunithura town centre and major regional junctions, improving last-mile connectivity and decongesting residential streets. Advocates argue that such an extension could better integrate surrounding growth areas into the broader road network, support economic activity and enhance commuter safety. Authorities have acknowledged the concerns and indicated that feasibility assessments are under consideration amid competing infrastructure priorities.Read more
05 Mar 2026
Kerala recorded a decline in road accident deaths in 2025 even as the total number of crashes and injuries increased. Data released by the Motor Vehicles Department showed 49,889 accidents during the year, leading to 3,733 deaths and 56,922 injuries. Fatalities fell by 142 compared to the previous year. Two-wheeler and motorcycle deaths also declined for the third consecutive year. Officials attributed the reduction in deaths to stricter enforcement and awareness drives, despite the number of registered vehicles in the state rising to nearly 1.9 crore.Read more
05 Mar 2026
The Himachal Pradesh government has amended its Town and Country Planning Rules, 2026, making it compulsory to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in commercial, public and semi-public buildings as well as new real estate projects. The move aligns urban development norms with the state's clean energy goals. Developers must also comply with the Himachal Pradesh Energy Conservation Building Code and get designs audited by Bureau of Energy Efficiency-authorised auditors before occupancy certificates are issued. The rules also introduce structured Premium FAR charges for upcoming projects.Read more
05 Mar 2026
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has unveiled a major upgrade of security arrangements at railway stations nationwide with the deployment of Smart Check II shoe-based screening devices, 250 high-tech CCTV systems and aerial surveillance drones, officials said in the past week. The initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen passenger safety and crime deterrence across busy hubs and suburban networks. RPF Director General Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said that the technology enhancements will complement existing foot patrols, explosive detection units and canine squads, while artificial intelligence-assisted video analytics will support real-time monitoring and alerting. The roll-out will prioritise high-footfall stations and junctions, with phased implementation across the rest of the zonal network to improve threat detection, incident response and overall passenger confidence in rail security.Read more
05 Mar 2026
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stopped demolition work in Andheri West's Seven Bungalows area after a large slab fell from the terrace of the Ratan Kunj building, which is being redeveloped. The slab's collapse caused nearby structures to vibrate and created a dust cloud, alarming residents and prompting them to contact the Versova police. Civic authorities said the demolition site lacked proper safety measures. Although no injuries were reported, the incident raised renewed concerns over compliance and monitoring at redevelopment sites in Mumbai, following past accidents in the city.Read more
05 Mar 2026
The first phase of the Indore Pithampur Economic Corridor project a key infrastructure initiative aimed at reinforcing central India's manufacturing and industrial hub is scheduled to commence with an estimated investment of over INR 250 crore, officials said in the past week. The corridor, spanning 19.60 km between Indore and the industrial belt of Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, forms part of a larger INR 2,500 crore development plan intended to enhance industrial infrastructure, logistics connectivity and utility services in one of the country's most significant production clusters. Phase I will focus on road network upgrades, drainage systems and electricity infrastructure, including improved linkages to the Super Corridor. The project is expected to streamline freight movement, reduce travel time and attract new industrial and commercial investment, further consolidating the region's position as a central Indian manufacturing node.Read more
05 Mar 2026
Delhi is poised to approve its long-awaited Master Plan 2041, which will replace the lapsed Master Plan 2021 and provide a roadmap for the capital's growth over the next twenty years. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that the plan will clarify land use, housing, infrastructure, and environmental strategies, addressing delays in major projects. Significant funds have been allocated to roads, metro expansion, schools, parks, and village development. The plan also focuses on cleaner urban spaces, improved governance, and inclusive development, aiming to integrate rural areas and enhance overall city planning.Read more
05 Mar 2026
Rajasthan's mining department has moved ahead with the auction of 12 new sand mining plots across Jodhpur, Kota, Pali, and Nagaur, even after the High Court annulled the 2024 auction of 93 gravel leases and requested scientific assessments on natural replenishment. Experts highlight that mining rules and Supreme Court approved guidelines require a five-year pause after lease expiry for riverbed recovery. Sources indicate that the state has issued 256 sand mining Letters of Intent so far, exceeding previous numbers, and has fragmented mining areas into smaller blocks without completing replenishment studies.Read more
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