23 Feb 2026

The National Highways Authority of India has approved an INR 6,220.90 crore bid from the National Highways Infra Trust to monetise operational highway assets spanning over 310 km in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The transaction covers two toll road stretches on NH-53 and NH-16 and is part of NHAI's ongoing asset monetisation programme. With this deal, the cumulative value of highway assets transferred to NHIT has risen sharply, supporting NHAI's plan to recycle capital and fund new national highway projects.Read more

23 Feb 2026

Highway Infrastructure Ltd has secured a toll operations and maintenance contract valued at INR 154.6 crore from the National Highways Authority of India for a key stretch of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. The short-term assignment covers toll collection and upkeep of facilities at three toll plazas in Gujarat, with a daily remittance obligation of INR 1.71 crore over a 90-day period. The order adds to the company's growing portfolio of NHAI toll operations contracts and strengthens its presence in highway asset management services.Read more

Indore News Desk

22 Feb 2026

Sixteen residential structures in the Piliyakhal area of Indore are scheduled for demolition to make way for an underground metro station near the Bada Ganpati locality, sources reported, as the city's metro project advances toward new construction phases. Although official records recognise 16 houses on the site, residents maintain that about 28 families currently reside there and are demanding housing allocations that reflect that number. The metro authority has deposited INR 1.29 crore with district officials to facilitate relocation of affected families to flats constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at the Tapti Complex in Rangwasa, but concerns about commuting, educational disruption for children and employment access have been raised. Local negotiations with authorities are ongoing as the relocation and demolition plan progresses alongside broader infrastructure works tied to the city's rapid transit expansion.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Jodhpur Division of North Western Railway has expanded its surveillance network by installing 447 CCTV cameras across eight railway stations to improve passenger safety and station monitoring. The largest deployment has taken place at Jaisalmer station, which recently underwent redevelopment under the Amrit Station Scheme at a cost of around INR 140 crore. Cameras have been installed across platforms, entry and exit points, waiting areas and other sensitive locations to support real-time monitoring, improve response to incidents and strengthen overall station management.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Telangana government is working on a proposal to develop a direct railway link between Mellacheruvu in Suryapet district and Hyderabad to improve regional connectivity. The project is expected to support industrial activity, ease passenger movement, and improve access for devotees visiting the Sri Ishta Kameswari Sametha Swayambhu Shambulingeshwara Swamy temple. The plan includes a double railway line with passenger services. State authorities are coordinating with the Centre to take the proposal forward, while the government has also allocated INR 1 crore for temple-related facilities.Read more

22 Feb 2026

North Western Railway has withdrawn two Vande Bharat Express services operating on the Udaipur-Jaipur and Udaipur-Agra routes after persistent low passenger occupancy. The decision follows an internal review that found the premium trains were not generating adequate ridership, particularly on weekdays, despite faster travel times. Higher ticket prices compared with conventional trains were cited as a key factor affecting demand. The withdrawn trainsets will now be redeployed on the upcoming Udaipur City-Asarwa Vande Bharat route to better align capacity with travel demand.Read more

22 Feb 2026

Data obtained through a Right to Information application has shown that more than 83,000 trees were felled in Uttarakhand over the past five years for highway construction works. Most of the tree loss occurred on major national highway stretches executed by the National Highways Authority of India. While authorities have stated that compensatory plantations were carried out, detailed project-wise plantation data was not available in several cases. The disclosures have renewed focus on how environmental safeguards are implemented during large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Jammu & Kashmir government is taking steps to simplify the process for obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) for building approvals within municipal areas. The Social Welfare Minister informed the Assembly that under the J-K Unified Building Bylaws 2021, multiple department clearances are currently required, causing delays. The Town Planning Organisation in Kashmir, with only three town planners for 40 local bodies, is being reorganised to establish a district cadre and support master plan implementation. Authorities will ensure NOCs are issued in a time-bound manner while considering legislative suggestions to reduce delays.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The planned runway expansion at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport continues to face delays due to pending land acquisition and defence clearances. Around 22 acres are required to meet mandatory runway end safety area norms, with a key portion owned by a defence public sector unit. Despite multiple discussions between state authorities and the Union government, approvals are still awaited. The project is further complicated by the need to realign a nearby road and relocate a fire station, pushing the timeline back.Read more

Pune News Desk

22 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra government has directed the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to prepare a draft structure plan for the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), aiming to establish a strategic framework for future urbanisation, infrastructure and public utilities. The move follows legislative changes introduced in the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act that replace detailed development plans with broader structure planning at the regional level. The draft will focus on high-level regional mobility corridors, road hierarchies, essential services and identification of environmentally sensitive areas, without delving into plot-specific land use zoning. Officials said the plan is expected to be completed within six months and will form the basis for subsequent detailed planning efforts to accommodate anticipated population growth and spill-over from core cities such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised that the structure plan will underpin coordinated infrastructure and development projects across the metropolitan region.Read more