11 Jun 2024

The Central Railway carried out platform widening, and extension works at Thane and CSMT stations over the weekend to facilitate longer passenger trains. The work was carried out in a 36-hour shutdown from 1-2 June on the CSMT-Byculla and CSMT-Vadala Rd lines. Platforms 5 and 6 at Thane were widened using concrete blocks to ease passenger movement. Platforms 10 and 11 were extended at CSMT using a new signalling system. Over 250 workers completed the works within the shutdown period to resume train services on schedule.Read more

11 Jun 2024

With over 8,551 kilometres of new projects awarded in FY24 and a target to double that figure by FY25, India's road network is on an ambitious trajectory. The surge in toll revenue, predicted to exceed INR 1 lakh crore by 2028, is attracting Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and unlocking new funding avenues. Backed by the government's asset monetization program, this road expansion promises a more connected, efficient, and prosperous India. As toll collections soar and investor confidence grows, the road sector emerges as a cornerstone of India's economic growth story.Read more

10 Jun 2024

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently demolished a 50-year-old bakery in Byculla, Mumbai, occupying 500 square meters of land owned by the civic body. The bakery, which had been operating in the Kamathipura area since 1974, was allegedly hindering the redevelopment process of the area. Despite being provided an alternate location in Goregaon by the BMC, the bakery owner continued to use both premises, leading to a legal battle. The court ultimately ruled in favour of the BMC, allowing the demolition to proceed under the supervision of 25 BMC officials and 20 police officers. The civic body has already issued a letter of intent for the redevelopment of the 3,400 square meter area, which includes 117 tenants, ensuring the creation of a 22-story rehabilitation wing, a 35-storey sale tower, and a new public playground. This case sets a precedent for the BMC's renewed efforts to reclaim illegally occupied plots across Mumbai for public benefit.Read more

07 Jun 2024

India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are experiencing a remarkable surge, with a 17% year-on-year increase in office space leasing to 22.5 million square feet in the financial year 2023-24. The growth is primarily driven by sectors like Engineering and Manufacturing, BFSI, and Technology, with GCCs accounting for a 29% share of total office leasing in the last quarter. Geographically, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi NCR lead the GCC expansion. India's strategic focus on digital technology, coupled with its competitive talent and rental costs, are instrumental in attracting global players to establish and expand their GCC presence in the country. The report projects India to host over 1,900 GCCs by 2025, with a professional talent pool exceeding 2 million.Read more

06 Jun 2024

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) mandates using treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) for construction in Bengaluru. This move aims to conserve groundwater resources valued at INR 3,584 crore (USD 48 billion). Despite initial concerns from builders about water quality affecting concrete strength, a study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) confirmed the safety and effectiveness of treated water. The initiative requires strict adherence to water quality standards by STPs. A successful pilot program in Bellandur is paving the way for city-wide adoption, potentially saving millions of litres of water annually.Read more

05 Jun 2024

India's ambitious infrastructure development plans are facing a significant challenge, with nearly 40% of projects running behind schedule, leading to cost overruns. A government report reveals that out of 1,873 projects, 779 are delayed, causing a cost overrun of INR 5 trillion, increasing total project costs from INR 26.9 trillion to INR 31.9 trillion. This situation raises concerns for banks and NBFCs, which have loaned INR 26.9 trillion for these projects. The delays disrupt the repayment cycle, prompting the RBI to propose stricter guidelines for project loans. Despite these issues, infrastructure loans have grown by 30% over the past five years.Read more

04 Jun 2024

The final 76-kilometer stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg in Thane district, Maharashtra, is nearing completion and is expected to be open for traffic by the end of August. This milestone marks the full operationalization of the 701-kilometer expressway, the longest in the country. The Thane segment includes 16 bridges and four tunnels, with the Khardi bridge, standing at 82 meters, being the tallest on the expressway. Despite the technical challenges posed by the hilly terrain and the complex bridge construction, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is working diligently to ensure the project's timely completion. Once fully operational, the Samruddhi Mahamarg will provide a seamless link between Nagpur and Mumbai, transforming the transportation landscape of the state.Read more

04 Jun 2024

The much-anticipated Mumbai Coastal Road, a critical infrastructure project, has hit a snag with the discovery of a leakage in the recently opened south-bound tunnel. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now pushed forward the opening of the entire road by almost five months, from May to October this year, in order to address the issue. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured the public that the main structure of the road is safe, and the leakage, which is from the expansion joints, is being addressed as a priority. The delay in the project's completion is also attributed to a labour shortage and the upcoming monsoon season, which will impact road construction. Despite these challenges, the BMC remains committed to delivering this crucial infrastructure project to the people of Mumbai.Read more

03 Jun 2024

The Madhya Pradesh government is taking a significant step in establishing Indore as a premier IT hub by constructing two new IT parks, set for completion by the end of 2025. The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) confirmed the development of "IT Park-3" and "IT Park-4," which will join the existing four IT parks, increasing dedicated IT park space by 50%. IT Park-3 on Khandwa Road will span six acres with a 19-floor building, while IT Park-4 in Pardesipura Electronics Complex will cover 3,785 square meters, focusing on the ESDM sector. These projects aim to attract diverse tech companies and create thousands of jobs, positioning Indore as a key player in India's IT industry.Read more

03 Jun 2024

The Indian data centre industry is gearing up for exponential expansion, with experts forecasting a staggering increase in capacity to 791 MW by 2026. This growth will necessitate an additional 10 million square feet of real estate space and attract investments totaling USD 5.7 billion. The surge is fuelled by the rising adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is driving demand for data storage and processing power. Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) are leading the charge, aligning their infrastructure to accommodate the AI-driven demand. India's commitment to AI development, coupled with its growing digital reliance, positions the nation as a global data hub.Read more