12 Jul 2024

Arun Vir Singh has been reappointed as CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL) until December 31, 2024. This marks his sixth extension since retiring from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in June 2019. With over 37 years of experience, Singh has been pivotal in advancing key infrastructure projects in the Noida region, including the Noida International Airport, which is set to cost INR 5,700 crore and serve 12 million passengers annually. Singh also oversees the development of industrial parks and a high-speed rail project, reflecting the government's confidence in his leadership and vision for regional growth.Read more

11 Jul 2024

Architect Hafeez Contractor, enlisted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), aims to revamp Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse into a 700-acre green space. Initially proposing an elevated racetrack, Contractor finalized a 120-acre public park plan. The project includes a cycling/jogging track linking the Mumbai Coastal Road and Haji Ali via an underpass. Additionally, spiral walkway ramps will connect green spaces from Worli to Colaba, creating a contiguous green area. Contractor, who worked pro bono, aims to enhance Mumbai's greenery. The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the plan, preserving the racecourse's heritage, renewing a lease for 91 acres for Royal Western India Turf Club.Read more

11 Jul 2024

The Karnataka Government is pushing for Central Government approval of two key phases of the Bangalore Metro Rail project. Phase three, costing INR 15,611 crore, awaits Union Urban Development Ministry clearance, while Phase 3A, the 37 km Hebbal-Sarjapur line, estimated at INR 28,405 crore, needs final approval despite state government consent. Additionally, the government seeks approval for the Mekedatu drinking water project and the development of Bangalore International Airport into an Air Cargo Complex. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also emphasized the need to upgrade state highways and complete various infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity and economic growth across Karnataka.Read more

11 Jul 2024

The Central Government has extended the Smart Cities Mission deadline to March 31, 2025, in response to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's request. During his visit to the national capital, Reddy met with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar to advocate for the extension. The extension aims to ensure the completion of ongoing projects, particularly in Warangal and Karimnagar, where significant work is underway. The Centre emphasized that no new projects will be sanctioned, and funds for existing projects will be released on a first-come, first-served basis until September. The original deadline was June 2025.Read more

10 Jul 2024

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured over INR 850 crore from the German development bank KfW and will raise an additional INR 365 crore for urban infrastructure projects. These funds will support sustainable initiatives like green corridors, waste management, and renewable energy. KfW previously approved a 545-million-euro loan for Mumbai's Metro lines 4 and 4A. This agreement marks the largest financing sanctioned to an Indian entity. MMRDA, responsible for Mumbai's infrastructure, is developing a 337 km metro network, the longest being constructed simultaneously by a single agency, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.Read more

10 Jul 2024

The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been locked in negotiations for nearly five months over the future of the Mahalaxmi racecourse. While the RWITC members approved a deal in January, the proposed agreement has faced hurdles, with the club returning a modified version to the BMC for approval. Amid the uncertainty, the BMC chief's public statements about taking over the racecourse have raised concerns among RWITC members, walkers, and joggers. With the proposed plan involving the conversion of 120 acres into a public park and the remaining 91 acres handed to the RWITC, the club's members are frustrated by the lack of transparency from the managing committee. Adding to the complications is the looming state assembly elections, which have raised fears that a change in government could derail the entire process.Read more

10 Jul 2024

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is making significant progress on its fourth-phase expansion project despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and administrative delays. Anuj Dayal, DMRC's Principal Executive Director, reported that over 50% of work on all three priority corridors is complete, with substantial advancements in tunnelling on the Aerocity-Tughlakabad and Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg lines. The Phase 4 section from Janakpuri West to Krishna Park Extension is nearing completion, slated to open by August. They expect to operationalize the entire Majlis Park-Maujpur corridor by next year, with further phases aiming for completion by 2026.Read more

09 Jul 2024

The ambitious Dharavi Redevelopment Project, aimed at transforming Asia's largest slum with over 700,000 residents, encounters challenges in acquiring temporary housing for displaced residents during construction. The project, led by Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL) in partnership with Adani Realty, seeks 334 tenements for relocation. Despite acquiring 27.5 acres from railways, securing the remaining land from other agencies is pending, impacting project timelines. Disagreements between DRPPL and MHADA over payment for temporary housing further complicate matters. Resolving these issues is crucial to ensuring smooth relocation and progressing with this transformative urban redevelopment initiative in Mumbai.Read more

09 Jul 2024

The Maharashtra government has dramatically reduced the Royal Western India Turf Club's (RWITC) annual lease rent at Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai from INR 3 crore to INR 1 crore, focusing only on the built-up areas like the clubhouse and stables. This decision, criticised by some, includes leasing the remaining 79 acres of open space for public use on non-racing days at a concessional rate. Meanwhile, discussions continue on the racecourse's future, with proposals ranging from a theme park to integrating it into a larger 300-acre Central Park connected via an underground subway.Read more

09 Jul 2024

The Karnataka government has proposed establishing a Central Business District modelled after Gujarat's GIFT City and sought expedited project approvals. IT & BT Minister Priyank Kharge, in a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted Karnataka's vibrant economy and strategic location. The proposed CBD aims to boost economic growth, employment, and foreign investments. Karnataka, a leader in IT and electronics exports, plans to develop clusters under the EMC 2.0 scheme in Mysuru and Dharwad districts and seeks further financial support for infrastructure, skilling programmes, and research initiatives from the Union government.Read more