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12 Jan 2026
The Union Environment Ministry has instructed states to prepare sector-wise action plans to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR and mandated monthly ministerial reviews to monitor progress. States like Rajasthan and Punjab are being asked to address gaps in public transport, truck parking, road redevelopment, and waste management. The ministry emphasized planting trees, deploying mechanical road sweepers, and enforcing emission control in industries. Efforts are also focused on electric bus infrastructure and community participation. These measures aim for visible improvement before the next high-pollution season, ensuring accountability and structured implementation across the region.Read more
12 Jan 2026
The Railway Ministry has approved additional stoppages for more than 15 trains operating across Kerala, following representations made by the state BJP leadership toward the end of last year. The newly cleared halts cover stations from Dhanuvachapuram and Balaramapuram in the southern region to Vadakara and Kannur in the north. The decision was communicated by the Union Railway Minister through an official letter, stating that the approvals were aimed at easing travel difficulties raised by passengers through formal channels and public outreach platforms.Read more
12 Jan 2026
The Vazhayila Nedumangad four-lane road project has encountered another delay after the Kerala Road Fund Board cancelled the phase II contract due to the contractor's failure to submit the mandatory bank guarantee within the stipulated time. The affected stretch, connecting Karakulam and Valicode, had already seen most land acquisition completed, with compensation largely paid. Authorities have decided to re-tender the work, with bids expected to open shortly. While phase I construction continues, the setback is likely to slow the overall timeline of this key suburban road upgrade.Read more
12 Jan 2026
NITI Aayog has recommended a set of fiscal incentives to encourage the development and investment in affordable housing in India. The proposals include reinstating 100% tax exemption for developers undertaking approved projects, offering tax benefits on capital gains and rental income for investors via Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and increasing loan limits under the Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Scheme for Low Income Housing to INR 40 lakh. The advisory body also suggested tax-free bonds for the National Housing Bank to support concessional funding and exemptions on land-use change charges, stamp duty, and registration fees for affordable housing units.Read more
12 Jan 2026
Bhopal Metro's Orange Line corridor has seen a notable drop in passenger numbers after the operator revised its schedule earlier this week. The new timetable delayed the first service to noon, reduced daily trips from 17 to 13, and fixed a frequency of 75 minutes between trains. On the first day under this plan, only 434 passengers boarded, down from an initial daily average of around 2,800. Metro authorities said the change aligns services with actual demand, but limited hours and fewer trips have clearly affected commuter convenience and ridership trends.Read more
12 Jan 2026
Chhattisgarh has taken a pioneering step in sustainable housing by integrating solar power with rural homes built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), specifically targeting tribal communities in remote areas. In a first-of-its-kind pilot project, houses under the welfare scheme were equipped with rooftop solar systems, providing reliable, clean electricity to households that previously lacked dependable power access. The initiative not only improves living conditions but also reduces recurring energy costs for marginalised families, enhancing financial security and quality of life. By combining affordable housing with renewable energy, the move addresses both shelter and energy needs, setting a national example for inclusive, eco-friendly development in tribal regions. The success of this project could inspire wider adoption across other underserved parts of the country.Read more
11 Jan 2026
Project Studio, an AI-native platform focused on managing interior design and fit-out projects, has raised an undisclosed funding round to accelerate product development and global expansion. The investment will be used to strengthen the platform's artificial intelligence capabilities, deepen its footprint across India and support entry into international markets. Positioned as an operating layer for the interior design ecosystem, Project Studio aims to address long-standing execution challenges such as coordination gaps, cost overruns and delivery delays. By combining AI-driven workflows with real-time project visibility, the platform enables interior studios to remain independent while operating more efficiently and competitively. With early adoption in India and pilot traction in overseas markets, the funding marks a key step in the company's ambition to build a scalable, technology-led backbone for the global interiors industry.Read more
11 Jan 2026
A recent inspection by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) found that most major roads in Noida had low or no visible dust, even though the city continues to face sustained air pollution and has not recorded a clean air day in recent months. Under Operation Clean Air, 142 road stretches were checked, with only a few showing high dust levels. Regular mechanical sweeping was cited as a key reason for improved conditions on arterial roads, while construction zones and damaged stretches remained areas of concern.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The Gurugram district administration has approved the demolition of four residential towers at the NBCC Green View condominium in Sector 37D after prolonged safety concerns, marking a major step toward resolving the longstanding crisis around the project. Towers A, B, C and D comprising about 580 flats were previously declared structurally unsafe and uninhabitable years ago, forcing evacuation and legal scrutiny. Authorities have now cleared the move to raze these deteriorated buildings to mitigate potential hazards, following multi-level reviews and stakeholder consultations. The decision addresses persistent risks posed by the ageing structures and opens the way for future redesign or redevelopment once the unsafe towers are dismantled. This development underlines the priority given to resident safety in urban housing governance and the need for proactive structural assessment in large real estate complexes.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The government has granted in-principle approval for India's first underwater road-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam, connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. The project will feature twin tubes, one for road traffic and the other for rail movement, as part of a 33.7 km corridor including approach links. With an estimated cost of around INR 18,600 crore, the tunnel aims to reduce travel time from over six hours to about 30 minutes while strengthening civilian connectivity and defence logistics in the Northeast.Read more
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11 Jan 2026
Allegations of collusion and procedural irregularities have surfaced against officials of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in relation to the collection of impact fees for houses built on government land. Members of a co-operative housing society in Ghatlodia have filed an appeal under the Gujarat Regularisation of Unauthorised Development Act, claiming that AMC's North West Zone officials wrongly linked two illegally constructed houses on government land to their society to collect impact fees and regularise them. The complaint asserts that this misrepresentation facilitated an unlawful regularisation and demands cancellation of the impact fee approvals as well as legal action against the municipal officials involved. Multiple hearings have been held before the appellate authority, with society members seeking clarity and accountability in how irregular approvals were granted for properties on government parcels.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack urban region has introduced strict construction time restrictions to tackle worsening air pollution, banning all construction activity from 6 PM to 10 AM. The decision aims to reduce dust generation and related particulate pollution during peak night and early-morning hours when air quality tends to deteriorate. Daytime work will be allowed during the prescribed hours with enforcement measures in place, and authorities have warned of penalties for violations. The ban applies to all building and infrastructure works, with exemptions only for essential emergency services. The move reflects growing concern over air quality in the twin cities and is part of a broader set of pollution control measures designed to protect public health and ensure cleaner urban living conditions.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The Indian Railways is redeveloping six major railway stations in Bihar to nearly double their train and passenger handling capacity in the coming years. Patna Junction will get five new suburban terminals to reduce congestion, while Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU), and Bhagalpur stations will receive upgraded yards, improved line capacity, and modern facilities. The Patna Jhajha DDU rail corridor is also being expanded with additional tracks. These projects aim to support growing rail traffic, enhance connectivity across Bihar, and improve passenger experience.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The Kaziranga elevated corridor project in Assam is set to move into the construction phase with the Prime Minister scheduled to lay its foundation later this month. The project involves upgrading the Kaliabor Numaligarh section of NH-715 at an estimated cost of over INR 6,000 crore. A key component is a 34.5-km elevated stretch through Kaziranga National Park aimed at reducing wildlife fatalities and improving traffic flow. The plan also includes four-laning, bypasses, and improved connectivity to airports and railway stations, supporting safer travel and regional economic activity.Read more
11 Jan 2026
Authorities have launched a major crackdown on widespread illegal construction activity in the Raisina Hill area of New Delhi, targeting boundary walls, unauthorised roads and borewells that were developed without requisite approvals. In a bid to enforce planning norms and protect the sensitive hillside environment, enforcement teams demolished encroachments, removed unauthorised road work and sealed borewells that lacked legal clearances. The action aims to restore compliance with master plan regulations and prevent ad-hoc development that could compromise soil stability, drainage and landscape integrity in the ecologically vulnerable zone. Local residents and stakeholders have generally welcomed the operation, noting that unchecked construction had disrupted natural topography and exacerbated erosion risks. The move underscores renewed focus on upholding building standards in areas prone to environmental sensitivity and infrastructure stress.Read more
11 Jan 2026
Construction on a controversial housing and commercial project in Carambolim village, Goa, has been halted after sustained protests by local residents and regulatory scrutiny. The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department issued a show-cause notice and stop-work order, responding to villagers complaints that the project's technical clearance was granted without following due process and violated planning norms, including building setbacks and access road requirements. The halt came after a joint site inspection revealed multiple discrepancies, prompting authorities to suspend all construction activity pending further review. The Goa Chief Minister has directed a formal inquiry into the matter to identify lapses and ensure compliance with planning regulations. The action marks a significant victory for residents advocating sustainable development and stricter enforcement of land use rules.Read more
11 Jan 2026
The 63 km Lucknow Kanpur expressway will require at least three more months for completion due to the relocation of a 400 kV power transmission line. While most civil work is complete, moving the high voltage infrastructure demands careful coordination with power authorities. The expressway, once ready, will cut travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur from 120 minutes to 70 minutes, allowing speeds up to 120 km/h. An interchange linking it with the Ganga Expressway near Unnao will enhance regional connectivity toward Meerut and Prayagraj. NHAI is managing the costs of relocation.Read more
11 Jan 2026
Bhopal's SCADA-based water monitoring project, planned under the Smart City programme, continues to fall short of its objective of real-time water quality and distribution monitoring. Despite most overhead tanks being connected, the system's first phase remains incomplete, limiting its ability to detect contamination or supply disruptions. The recent drinking water crisis in Indore has brought renewed focus on these gaps. Past audits and studies had already flagged weaknesses in urban water testing and infrastructure, issues that remain unresolved in Bhopal's water management system.Read more
10 Jan 2026
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to seek approvals for key national highway projects aimed at improving connectivity, safety, and economic activity in the state. Proposed works include the four lane Rishikesh Bypass, widening of Almora Danya Panar Ghat route, and realignment of Jyolikot Khairna Gairsain Karnprayag corridor. The state also reviewed ongoing projects under Char Dham Mahamarg worth INR 12,769 crore and other strategic corridors. Officials assured timely consideration, with several new tunnels, bypasses, and elevated stretches planned to improve traffic flow and environmental safety.Read more
10 Jan 2026
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of INR 1 lakh on the Union Ministry of Urban Development for failing to appear at a scheduled hearing related to a sewage treatment plant (STP) matter in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district. The tribunal noted that despite receiving notice, the ministry remained absent, leading to an unnecessary adjournment. Stressing that government bodies have a constitutional duty to participate in environmental proceedings, the NGT granted the ministry another opportunity to respond, subject to payment of the cost.Read more
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