01 Feb 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has revised toll rates for the 91.3 km Gorakhpur Link Expressway, setting INR 285 for a one-way trip for private cars, which equals about INR 3.12 per kilometre. Officials explained that the higher toll reflects the increased costs due to alignment changes, monsoon damage, and complex engineering requirements like bridges and interchanges. The four-lane expressway, inaugurated last year, connects eastern Uttar Pradesh districts and integrates with the broader expressway network, aiming to improve regional connectivity and travel efficiency.Read more

01 Feb 2026

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has stepped up enforcement against single-use plastic as part of its ongoing citywide plastic prohibition drive, collecting penalties worth INR 75,000 and seizing around 44.5 kg of plastic bags. The action forms part of special inspection campaigns conducted in line with directives issued by the Central and Maharashtra Pollution Control Boards. The latest drive, carried out earlier this week across markets, shops and hawker zones, focused on curbing the use and storage of banned plastic items. Civic officials said the campaign combined awareness initiatives with strict penal action to ensure compliance. The municipal administration reiterated that the sustained enforcement is aimed at eliminating single-use plastic from daily commercial activity, while urging both citizens and traders to shift towards environmentally friendly alternatives such as cloth bags.Read more

01 Feb 2026

LML Realty has progressed the development of its 35-acre LML Industrial Park, positioning the project as a systems-driven industrial ecosystem aimed at supporting manufacturing-led growth and MSMEs. The industrial park is being planned with infrastructure, utilities, compliance and governance delivered ahead of manufacturing activity, with the objective of reducing operational friction and lowering long-term costs for enterprises. Over the next five years, the project is expected to enable cumulative factory-level investments exceeding INR 1,000 crore across more than 50 units and support employment for over 7,000 people through direct and indirect industrial activity. Developed in collaboration with the Government of Haryana under the PADMA Scheme, the park aligns with national and state manufacturing priorities by creating ready-to-operate environments that allow enterprises to focus on production, scaling and job creation.Read more

31 Jan 2026

Eight years after the Union environment ministry approved the diversion of 51.12 hectares of forest land for the Badshahpur Sohna stretch of the Delhi Mumbai Expressway, official data on compensatory afforestation remains unclear. While 42,468 saplings were planted in the Nuh division in 2025-26, there is no consolidated record of plantations since 2018, nor details of precise locations, monitoring, or survival rates. Environmental activists have highlighted that some plantations occurred far from the project site, raising questions about regulatory compliance, ecological effectiveness, and transparency in large infrastructure projects.Read more

31 Jan 2026

Puducherry is set to undertake major road infrastructure projects with Union funding of INR 437 crore to ease urban congestion and improve safety. Plans include a 4 km four lane flyover connecting Indira Gandhi Square, Rajiv Gandhi Square, and Marapalam, and a 13.5 km four lane arterial road from Ariyankuppam to Mullodai, along with widening of existing roads. The initiative is expected to reduce traffic by about 55 per cent, enhance commuter safety, and support the growing tourism sector. These works align with broader connectivity improvements across road, rail, and air networks.Read more

31 Jan 2026

Southern Railway has assigned MIC Electronics Limited to modernise passenger information systems across five stations in its Salem Division under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. The INR 56.43 lakh project involves supplying and installing RDSO-compliant display boards, Full HD and 4K UHD units, network monitoring devices, public address systems, cabling, and related infrastructure. The work also includes civil, signalling, and telecom tasks, along with testing, commissioning, and a five-year maintenance contract. The initiative aims to improve real-time passenger communication, enhance station-level digital infrastructure, and support operational efficiency.Read more

31 Jan 2026

Kerala has recently seen the launch of three Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed at improving long-distance connectivity. While these trains were largely welcomed, passengers using the Alappuzha route have raised concerns since the new services bypass this corridor in favor of the Kottayam route. The single-line Alappuzha section, coupled with limited track capacity, continues to restrict additional train operations. Commuters are calling for more MEMU services, better scheduling, and stoppages at key stations to ease travel, while passenger groups highlight delays due to the pending doubling project along this coastal line.Read more

31 Jan 2026

Kerala's Vizhinjam International Seaport is moving into a larger expansion phase, with the state government expecting significant employment creation and local economic activity. The port has already begun regular operations, reducing dependence on foreign transshipment hubs. The ongoing second phase, backed by a major private operator, aims to scale capacity sharply over the next few years. Government leaders have highlighted benefits beyond cargo handling, including tourism support, crew services, and related infrastructure, positioning Vizhinjam as a key maritime asset for the state and the country.Read more

Kochi News Desk

31 Jan 2026

Kochi Municipal Corporation is evaluating the future of the RoRo ferry service between Fort Kochi and Vypeen after sustained financial losses and operational issues. The civic body is considering ending its agreement with Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd (KSINC) and exploring alternatives such as transferring operations to Kochi Water Metro or inviting new tenders. Audit findings revealed discrepancies in revenue and expenditure reporting, while high maintenance costs and vessel downtime added pressure. Safety concerns, infrastructure decay, and commuter challenges have also intensified the need for a sustainable solution.Read more

31 Jan 2026

The MATECIA Exhibition, in collaboration with SURFACES REPORTER, is set to host a major architecture, interiors and building materials event in Kolkata, bringing East and Northeast India into sharper national focus. Scheduled from 30 January to 1 February 2026 at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, the three-day platform will bring together architects, interior designers, developers, manufacturers and dealers from more than a dozen states across the region. Spread across 1.5 lakh sq ft, the event will feature over 100 brands, showcase more than 500 projects and attract up to 16,000 visitors. With dedicated honours, knowledge platforms and curated showcases, the initiative aims to challenge long-held perceptions about the region and underline its growing role in India's architecture, design and building materials landscape.Read more