31 Jul 2025

Five prominent gardens in Mumbai, including Shivaji Park and Kamala Nehru Park, have reportedly failed a recent disability access audit conducted by a non-profit organisation. The audit, which assessed features like ramps, accessible toilets, and tactile paths, found significant shortcomings, highlighting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) failure to make public spaces inclusive for persons with disabilities. Despite past directives and ongoing efforts for accessibility, many gardens remain challenging for wheelchair users. The BMC has acknowledged the findings and committed to implementing necessary upgrades, aiming to ensure all public gardens meet universal accessibility standards.Read more

31 Jul 2025

Parliament was informed that 489 road projects originally due by March 2025 are facing delays due to land acquisition, forest clearances, and railway approvals. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated the government is coordinating with state authorities to address these issues. Many projects have also seen cost overruns caused by higher land compensation, GST, public-demanded infrastructure additions, and design changes to meet railway standards. In cases of prolonged delays, contracts may be terminated and re-awarded. Gadkari also confirmed national highways are built per Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards, with design speeds of up to 120 km/h for expressways and 100 km/h for highways.Read more

31 Jul 2025

Aaiji Group has secured regulatory approval from the Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for a residential plotting project in the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). The approval, valid until 2029, allows Aaiji Infraspace to develop residential plots across a 10,809 sq metre land parcel. The project is expected to benefit from large-scale infrastructure developments in Dholera, including the upcoming international cargo airport and the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway. Dholera SIR has already attracted significant corporate interest, including Tata Electronics' INR 91,000 crore semiconductor unit.Read more

30 Jul 2025

Nxtra by Airtel today announced a new agreement to source an additional 125.65 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from AMPIN Energy. This latest deal brings the total renewable energy partnership between the two companies to over 200 MW. The additional capacity, a solar-wind hybrid, will be supplied from plants in Rajasthan and Karnataka through the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). This move reinforces Nxtra's commitment to power its data centers sustainably and aligns with its pledge to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, contributing to greener data center operations across India.Read more

30 Jul 2025

A crack recently appeared on a flyover of Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) at the Nahur ROB (Road Over Bridge) junction, raising concerns among commuters. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has assured the public that the crack is only on the bridge's concrete railing and does not affect its main structure or vehicular movement. While the civic body states it's a minor issue being repaired, the incident highlights ongoing public scrutiny over infrastructure quality in Mumbai, especially concerning major connectivity projects like the GMLR, and the need for quick official responses to maintain public trust.Read more

30 Jul 2025

Chennai's civic authority cleared around 2 lakh tonnes of building waste across all city zones, with daily averages of 1,000 tonnes moved using more than 160 vehicles. The debris is being recycled into construction materials at municipal plants, offering cost savings and promoting reuse. A dedicated app tracks operations, while new rules have generated public engagement and INR?39.3 lakh in fines. Despite this, regulatory bodies flagged that processing plants remain inoperative, necessitating urgent action to meet environmental norms.Read more

30 Jul 2025

India is actively looking to attract foreign investment for its ambitious INR 25,000 crore maritime infrastructure development projects. This push aims to upgrade ports, enhance connectivity, and boost coastal economic activities, aligning with the Sagarmala Programme's objectives. By courting global funds, the government seeks to accelerate the modernization of its maritime sector, which is vital for trade, logistics efficiency, and overall economic growth. This strategy reflects India's commitment to transforming its coastline into a key driver of national prosperity and global trade integration.Read more

29 Jul 2025

India plans to designate 15,000 acres along its coastline for the development of shipbuilding clusters, aiming to attract INR 1.5 lakh crore in investments. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, seeks to bring global shipbuilding companies to India and boost the country's manufacturing capabilities in the maritime sector. Key states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat have identified land parcels for these projects, with states offering various incentives including subsidies for capital investment and skill development, as India targets becoming a global leader in shipbuilding.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Madh-Versova bridge project in Mumbai has secured environmental clearance from the Union Environment Ministry, marking a key milestone for the INR 2,395 crore initiative. However, the project still requires Bombay High Court approval, as it will impact 2.3 hectares of protected mangroves. The 2.06-km cable-stayed bridge aims to connect Madh Island to Versova, easing travel by bypassing long detours. Environmental groups have raised concerns over the loss of stormwater buffers and the project's location in a former no-development zone. The BMC's Bridges Department is overseeing implementation, as the city continues to weigh infrastructure needs against ecological preservation in sensitive coastal areas.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project is now expected to be completed by December 2029, according to the Ministry of Railways. Land acquisition stands at 90.4%, with Maharashtra trailing at 76.5%. Construction progress includes 87.5% completion of viaducts, 80.5% of stations and tunnels, 76.8% of bridges, and 38.6% of track installation. Electrification work is at 27.6%. Managed by NHSRCL, the 508 km high-speed rail line aims to cut travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to 2-3 hours. First announced in 2017 and delayed due to land issues, the project is seen as a major step in modernizing India's rail infrastructure.Read more