12 Feb 2026

Indian Railways has announced plans to construct a new underground railway line through the Siliguri corridor in West Bengal, a narrow land bridge that connects mainland India with its North-eastern states. The project, spanning about 35.76 km between Dumdangi and Bagdogra, will incorporate an extensive underground alignment particularly between Tinmile Hat and Rangapani to provide secure, uninterrupted rail connectivity along this sensitive route. The corridor's proximity to international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, combined with its susceptibility to natural disruptions and congestion, has underscored the strategic importance of the development. Officials stated that the underground design will support continuous movement of passengers, freight, defence personnel and emergency supplies, with advanced electrification, signalling and tunnelling technologies planned. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure and optimise access to the North-eastern region.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

12 Feb 2026

Ride-hailing and electric vehicle firm Ola has surrendered more than 1.7 lakh sq ft of leased office space in Bengaluru, reflecting broader operational recalibration amid increased integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in its business processes. The space released includes about 1.12 lakh sq ft at Prestige RMZ Startech in Koramangala and roughly 60,000 sq ft at Infozone in Electronic City, where Ola runs a battery innovation centre. Sources said the move is part of internal consolidation and cost optimisation rather than an indication of weakness in Bengaluru's office market, which continues to attract demand from global consulting and capability centres. Ola continues to retain a significant office footprint in the city, including renewed leases for its core operations area, even as automation has reduced the need for larger call-centre and administrative workspaces.Read more

12 Feb 2026

The Kachchi Dargah Bidupur six-lane bridge project across the Ganga is nearing completion and is expected to open by April, strengthening road connectivity between north and south Bihar. Spanning nearly 20 km, the project links NH-30 in Patna with NH-103 in Vaishali and is designed to reduce traffic load on the Mahatma Gandhi Setu. With phased sections already operational, the remaining stretches are under close monitoring to ensure timely completion and smoother regional movement.Read more

12 Feb 2026

ACME Solar Holdings has won a 220 MW solar project with integrated battery energy storage at the Morena Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh. The project is part of a 440 MW tender issued by Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd under tariff-based competitive bidding. It includes four hours of daily peak power supply with high availability and a 25-year power purchase agreement. Land and evacuation infrastructure will be provided by the solar park developer, supporting long-term renewable energy supply for the state.Read more

Kochi News Desk

12 Feb 2026

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to undertake collaborative research and pilot projects aimed at enhancing sustainable urban mobility and public transport systems. The partnership will combine Kochi Metro's operational experience in multimodal transport including Metro, Water Metro and canal-based services with IISc's advanced, data-driven research capabilities. Focus areas will include sustainable mobility planning, transport operations and the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, blockchain, simulation modelling and intelligent decision-support systems to solve real-world urban challenges. Officials highlighted that the research will promote evidence-based transport solutions to improve public health, accessibility, congestion management, emissions reduction and climate resilience, with Kochi envisaged as a testbed for developing scalable urban mobility models.Read more

12 Feb 2026

Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) has identified more than 550 acres of land near the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram district for the development of industrial infrastructure linked to the port. The parcels, located primarily in Kulathoor and Perumkadavila in Neyyattinkara taluk and in Kattakada taluk, are being surveyed and negotiations with landowners are underway ahead of formal acquisition under a land purchase model supported by around INR 1,000 crore allocated in the state budget. Kinfra's land identification is part of a broader push to establish port-led industrial clusters, logistics parks and manufacturing units within a 20 km radius of the seaport, aimed at strengthening the hinterland ecosystem and attracting investment. The state government has also appointed consultants to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for industrialisation around the port.Read more

12 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra government has held high-level discussions with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to explore a potential collaboration on long-term infrastructure investment across the state, focusing initially on housing and core urban infrastructure projects. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led the video conference with the CIB's chief executive officer, highlighting the states ambition to leverage international expertise and capital to accelerate development efforts. The proposed engagement is expected to begin with investments in two identified projects that align with Maharashtra's infrastructure roadmap and later expand to broader cooperation. Fadnavis emphasised that such international partnerships can support rapid urbanisation, expanding industrial corridors and growing demand for quality public infrastructure, bringing not only capital but also technical know-how and global best practices to project execution and governance. Canada's financing approach, which includes long-term capital and risk-sharing techniques, was cited as particularly relevant.Read more

12 Feb 2026

Ashoka Buildcon Limited, through a joint venture with Aakshya Infra Project Private Limited, has secured a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth INR 474.38 crore from Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited for the construction of a high-level reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge over the River Gandak in Muzaffarpur district. Ashoka Buildcon will act as the lead partner in the venture with a 51 % share in the project, equating to roughly INR 241.93 crore, including goods and services tax. The scope comprises the 2,280 metre bridge and other significant structures on the approach road connecting Fatehabad in Paroo block and Chanchaliya in Saraiya block. The work is scheduled for completion within 30 months. The award contributes to Ashoka Buildcon's growing order book and reflects continued investment in regional infrastructure.Read more

11 Feb 2026

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the upgrade of Bilaspur's Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport from a 3C-VFR (Visual Flight Rules) facility to a 3C all-weather operations category, enabling flights to operate in poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. The amendment to the airport's licence, issued following a review of documentation by the Chhattisgarh government, allows aircraft to rely on instrument flight procedures rather than visual cues, enhancing safety and operational reliability. Authorities said the clearance is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity, reduce the need for passengers to travel to Raipur during inclement weather and make the airport more attractive for airlines considering new services. The chief minister described the development as a significant step for economic and industrial growth in Bilaspur and neighbouring areas.Read more

11 Feb 2026

Ceigall India has won a 220 MW solar project integrated with battery energy storage from Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited, valued at around INR 1,700 crore. Awarded through competitive bidding, the project will be developed at the Morena Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh at a tariff of INR 2.70 per kWh. With a construction timeline of 24 months and an operational life of 25 years, the project is expected to strengthen grid stability and contribute to the state's renewable energy capacity.Read more