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02 Jan 2026
The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has carried out a significant enforcement action, dismantling 12 illegal structures across the city in a bid to uphold planning regulations and protect public land. The crackdown targeted unauthorised buildings that had been erected without requisite approvals or in violation of sanctioned land use, including encroachments on roadsides and open spaces. LDA officials said the action forms part of ongoing efforts to prevent unauthorised real estate activity and to ensure orderly urban development. The authority has reiterated its commitment to continued monitoring and enforcement, warning that future violations will be acted upon promptly under applicable planning and municipal laws.Read more
02 Jan 2026
The long-pending Kumarichantha flyover project has resumed after the district administration stepped in to address safety concerns and ease tensions with local traders and residents. Construction had stalled earlier due to protests over the flyover's design. NHAI has decided to continue with its original three-pillar structure, citing technical feasibility, despite demands for a wider five-pillar layout. Following discussions led by the district collector, police security was assured and work restarted. The contractor has completed piling and begun preparations for major construction. The 800-metre flyover is expected to reduce traffic congestion and accidents at the busy Kumarichantha junction and is estimated to cost around INR 22 crore.Read more
02 Jan 2026
Opposition AIADMK councillors raised allegations of misuse of Smart City Mission funds during a Salem Municipal Corporation meeting and staged a walkout after heated exchanges with the ruling DMK members. They claimed that development works worth several crore rupees had not been properly implemented and that no new projects were initiated under the current administration. The opposition also questioned the decision to outsource tax collection to a private agency. The protest highlighted ongoing concerns over fund utilisation, project execution and accountability in Salem's urban development programmes.Read more
02 Jan 2026
Maharashtra's smart city projects are nearing completion, yet works worth INR 1,555 crore under the Smart Cities Mission remain unfinished. While most tasks under the mission, which aims to improve urban infrastructure, mobility, and sanitation, have been delivered, the pending works include road construction, public space improvements, water supply upgrades, and other civic projects. Delays are due to coordination issues, land acquisition challenges, and procedural clearances. City Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are being urged to complete these tasks quickly so that citizens can fully benefit from the planned infrastructure.Read more
02 Jan 2026
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated preparations for the detailed project report (DPR) to widen the Kopargaon Malegaon highway to four lanes, a key route connecting north-west Maharashtra. As part of the DPR, NHAI will assess the feasibility of a bypass around Yevla to divert heavy traffic away from the town centre. The Pimpalgaon Jalal toll plaza has been closed following the end of its contract, and the highway is now fully managed by NHAI. The project addresses long-standing concerns over traffic congestion and safety along this important freight and commuter corridor.Read more
01 Jan 2026
The Odisha government has ordered an urgent road safety audit of the Janpath-Cuttack Road flyover in Bhubaneswar, following repeated accidents along this busy corridor. Transport officials will evaluate risks for pedestrians, including the visually impaired, and suggest both immediate and long-term safety improvements. Temporary measures like speed restriction signs, marked crossings, and improved night lighting are already being implemented. The audit will follow Indian Road Congress guidelines to examine footpaths, crossings, signage, and traffic calming measures, aligning with Odisha's wider push to enhance urban road safety and protect vulnerable commuters.Read more
01 Jan 2026
Mappls, the digital mapping and navigation platform from MapmyIndia, has expanded its services by introducing multimodal public transport routing across metro rail and bus networks. The new feature allows users to plan journeys using different public transport modes within a single app, showing routes, stations, stops and interchange points. Currently available on web and iOS platforms, the service covers several major Indian cities and will be extended to Android users and more urban centres in phases, with support from transport authorities to improve data accuracy and coverage.Read more
01 Jan 2026
IRB Infrastructure Trust has approved an investment in IRB Harihara Corridors for the TOT-17 highway project, reinforcing its focus on toll-based road assets. The trust will invest up to INR 36 billion in the SPV, which has also been allowed to raise term loans of up to INR 72 billion. The move supports the acquisition and operation of a national highway under the toll-operate-transfer model. This decision adds to IRB Infrastructure Trust's growing portfolio of long-term, revenue-generating road infrastructure projects.Read more
01 Jan 2026
The mayor of Panchkula has inaugurated infrastructure works worth around INR 7 crore, aimed at improving rural and urban development across the city's wards 19 and 20. The project package includes investments in road connectivity, drainage systems, power supply, sanitation and solid waste management. Key components include scientific waste management facilities, new peripheral roads with drainage, concrete drains and utility upgrades. The works also feature enhancements to sewage treatment plants and electricity infrastructure. The mayor said the focus is on enhancing core infrastructure and civic amenities to benefit residents in both urban and adjoining rural areas, signalling an ongoing push to strengthen citywide development.Read more
01 Jan 2026
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited will extend metro services beyond midnight to manage the expected surge in passenger movement during New Year's Eve celebrations. Trains on the Purple, Green and Yellow Lines will run at increased frequency into the early hours, with last departures scheduled well past usual operating times. Entry and exit at MG Road station will be restricted late at night to manage crowding, while nearby stations remain operational. Additional BMTC buses will support last-mile connectivity across key parts of the city.Read more
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01 Jan 2026
The State Chief Information Commission (CIC) reprimanded Maharashtra Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (MahaRail) for failing to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request from former minister Avinash Warjukar. The application sought details about the corporation's formation, leadership appointments, approvals for sanctioned works, and ongoing development projects. MahaRail admitted the RTI Act applies but acknowledged many records were missing or only partly online. The CIC directed the corporation to provide all requested information free of cost within two weeks, and also recommended appointing full-time RTI personnel to ensure accountability and compliance.Read more
01 Jan 2026
The proposed Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport is expected to start operations by 2027, with initial discussions with aviation service providers already yielding positive responses. One construction package has received a work order, with the project sanctioned at INR 10,507 crore. A pilot training institute is also planned at the existing Kota airport. Alongside aviation plans, Kota is targeted to become slum-free and drug-free by 2026. The Hadouti region is being positioned for water-based and agro-based industries, supported by improved connectivity through the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.Read more
31 Dec 2025
Indian Railways will introduce a 3% discount on unreserved tickets booked through the RailOne app using any digital payment mode from January 14, 2026, valid for six months. The benefit expands the existing 3% cashback currently limited to R-wallet payments and will be applied directly at the time of booking. The Centre for Railway Information Systems has been asked to implement system changes and review the scheme by May 2026. The discount will be exclusive to the RailOne app and will not apply to other booking channels.Read more
31 Dec 2025
Andhra Pradesh's cabinet has approved a INR 7,387.70 crore loan from NABARD under the NIDA scheme to fund major infrastructure projects in Amaravati. The approval covers roads, drainage, water supply, flood pumping stations, and quantum computing centre buildings, alongside underground drainage projects in Mangalagiri Tadepalli. Additional measures include a 10% road safety cess, land allocations for educational and economic purposes, lease renewals, and interest waivers for beneficiaries under NSFDC and NSKFDC. These steps reflect the government's structured approach to accelerate development and strengthen urban infrastructure across the capital region.Read more
31 Dec 2025
Mumbai's Metro Line 3, also known as the Aqua Line, will operate continuously overnight from New Year's Eve into New Year's Day to help late-night commuters and support celebrations across the city. The 33.5 km underground corridor, connecting Cuffe Parade to Aarey, has recently become fully operational after phased openings over the past year. The overnight service will reduce dependence on road transport, ease congestion, and ensure safe travel. Authorities have advised passengers to plan journeys according to the extended schedule, which complements additional train and bus services arranged for the festive night.Read more
31 Dec 2025
The Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport in Rajasthan is expected to become operational by 2027, marking a major boost to regional connectivity and economic development. Alongside the new airport, plans are underway to establish a pilot training institute at the existing Kota airport. Authorities have completed tendering procedures for the airport project, with one work order already issued at an estimated cost of INR 10,507 crore. Beyond aviation, the region is set to witness broader development, including slum-free housing, social welfare initiatives, industrial growth, and enhanced opportunities for agro-based industries, supported by improved infrastructure and water availability.Read more
31 Dec 2025
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a stop-work notice at the upcoming Bombay High Court complex in Bandra Colony after inspectors found major violations of air pollution control measures during demolition of old government buildings. Officials reported zero compliance with mandatory dust-suppression steps such as sprinkling and fogging. Work will resume only after all mitigation measures are implemented. The move follows similar action at the nearby Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, reflecting the growing enforcement of pollution norms and increased scrutiny by the Bombay High Court amid rising air quality concerns.Read more
31 Dec 2025
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has launched a comprehensive enforcement drive against unauthorised parking across the city, issuing a total of 384 notices to vehicle owners and operators during the campaign. The action is part of the civic body's efforts to ease traffic congestion, improve pedestrian movement and uphold public space regulations in key urban areas. Notices were served in prominent commercial and residential zones where vehicles were found parked in no-parking areas or obstructing thoroughfares, footpaths and service lanes. AMC officials have reiterated their commitment to sustaining the enforcement drive and urged citizens to comply with parking regulations to ensure smoother mobility and better urban management.Read more
31 Dec 2025
Russian Railways has announced a 20% reduction in its 2026 budget to 713.6 billion roubles (USD 9.15 billion) as it navigates a growing debt burden of 4 trillion roubles (USD 50.8 billion). The company plans to allocate funds primarily for infrastructure and safety, railcar procurement, and the Moscow-St Petersburg high-speed rail project. VTB CEO Andrei Kostin emphasized that maintaining investment levels is crucial amid debt restructuring. Current spending remains far below the previous year's record of 1.5 trillion roubles, impacting suppliers reliant on the company's contracts.Read more
30 Dec 2025
SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge Group in a USD 4 billion deal to strengthen its exposure to digital infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence. The offer values DigitalBridge at about USD 2.92 billion and includes a premium over its recent share price. DigitalBridge will continue to operate independently under CEO Marc Ganzi. The firm manages USD 108 billion in assets and invests in data centres, fibre networks and related platforms. The deal aligns with SoftBank's wider push into AI-linked computing and infrastructure assets.Read more
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