18 Jul 2024

Malang Gad, also known as Haji Malang Hill, witnessed a tragic landslide that claimed one life and injured two others. In response, the forest department initiated the demolition of 90 out of over 800 illegal structures, primarily targeting commercial shops. The Peer Haj Malang Dargah Baba Trust, asserting ownership of the land, opposed the demolition, alleging political motives, and filed a case. Civil judge A S Lanjewar intervened to halt further demolition, but by then, 90 structures had already been razed. The area gained significant attention in January when Chief Minister Eknath Shinde pledged to resolve the issue. The forest department's demand for documents culminated in the demolition, which occurred under tight security measures.Read more

17 Jul 2024

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) proposes a new link to ease traffic at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) connector and BKC One Junction. The link will connect Plot C-80 to Plot C-79, running below the BKC connector from SEBI building to Avenue 5 and Avenue 3. This signal-free route aims to distribute traffic across three alternative routes, improving flow and reducing congestion. It will enhance connectivity for vehicles from the BKC connector to key locations like the National Stock Exchange and Mumbai Cricket Association. The estimated construction cost is INR 3.97 crore, with bids due by July 19.Read more

17 Jul 2024

Mumbai is set to gain a massive new central park, but the approval process has sparked controversy. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has acquired a 120-acre plot from the iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse to develop a 300-acre "world-class Mumbai Central Public Park," including 175 acres from the Mumbai Coastal Road project. The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) will retain 92.6 acres for horse racing but must seek BMC approval for a modern clubhouse. Despite the park's potential to increase green space in densely populated Mumbai, the project faces opposition from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) and concerns over the historic racecourse's future. Balancing heritage preservation with urban living improvements is crucial for the project's success.Read more

16 Jul 2024

Earlier this month, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement to provide the final tranche of INR 4,657 crore for Mumbai Metro Line 3. This completes the funding for the 33.5 km underground metro line from Colaba to SEEPZ in Andheri, operated by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC). The loan agreement, signed by Manisha Sinha from the Department of Economic Affairs and Japan's Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, marks the conclusion of JICA's support, which began in 2013. The project's revised cost is INR 37,276 crore, with JICA funding 57.09% (INR 21,280 crore). The line will connect key business districts, educational institutions, and airports, serving over 1.6 million commuters daily.Read more

16 Jul 2024

The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated Phase II of the Noida International Airport project, acquiring land for the airport including maintenance, repair, and overhaul hub. They aim to acquire 1365 acres, mainly from Karauli Bangar, Dayanatpur, Kuraib, Ranhera, Mudharh, and Beerampur, at a cost of INR 4,898 crores. So far, 237 hectares have been taken from Birampur, Dayantpur, and Mudharh. Compensation distribution is nearly complete, with plans to relocate 13,000 affected families to Falaida Bangar and Modalpur. Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd. plans test flights by November, aiming for commercial operations by April 2025.Read more

15 Jul 2024

The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is redeveloping Nagpur Railway Station in Maharashtra to transform it into a modern transportation hub capable of accommodating up to 98,000 passengers daily. The project includes creating dedicated arrival and departure areas, connecting platforms via separate foot over bridges, and constructing a spacious 108-meter-wide concourse with amenities and retail options. The west side will feature a multi-level plaza with a 3,420 sqm parking area, while the east side will have separate arrival and departure buildings with a 13,250 sqm unified basement for parking. The project is 33% complete and aims to preserve the station's heritage while modernizing its functionality. Completion is expected by December 2025.Read more

15 Jul 2024

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is acquiring an additional 1,861 hectares (4,600 acres) near Tappal, Aligarh, to support industrial and manufacturing projects around the upcoming Noida International Airport. This expansion aims to counter unauthorised developments hindering progress on the 2,597 hectares (6,420 acres) of designated land. Key projects include a 950-hectare (2,347-acre) multimodal logistics park with an INR 990 crore investment. YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh emphasised the urgency to address illegal constructions and secure the area, ensuring Tappal's development into a significant industrial hub in western Uttar Pradesh.Read more

15 Jul 2024

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is showing strong interest in financing metro rail projects in Madurai and Coimbatore, marking a crucial development in Tamil Nadu's urban mobility efforts. AIIB recently inspected the proposed 11.368 km Madurai metro route and plans to assess a similar 10.74 km route in Coimbatore soon. With Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) having prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), the Coimbatore project is estimated at INR 10,740 crore, while Madurai's is INR 11,368 crore - totaling INR 22,108 crore. Pending Ministry of Finance approval, AIIB's potential investment could transform public transport, alleviate congestion, and spur economic growth in these cities.Read more

12 Jul 2024

The Government of Haryana has allocated INR 1,179 crore from infrastructure augmentation charges to improve the infrastructure in the region. This IAC was collected by several Haryana government agencies. With a rise in population the infrastructure in the region remained unchanged since it was first developed in the 1990s. With four floor plan approval by the govt.in 2019, many property owners transformed their two-floor unit to four-floor building. However, these units were not sustainable due to lack of key infrastructure like roads, electricity and drainage systems. The new government order will impose penalties on owners who built units illegally.Read more

12 Jul 2024

The Eknath Shinde government has shelved plans to acquire Mumbai Metro Line 1, opting instead for a one-time debt settlement. The state cabinet directed MMRDA's executive committee to settle the INR 1,700 crore debt owed by Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL), which is 74% owned by Reliance Infrastructure and 26% by MMRDA. Serving 4.6 lakh passengers daily, Metro Line 1 is Mumbai's oldest metro and operates under public-private partnership. Facing insolvency, MMOPL had agreed to a debt settlement with six lenders, including SBI and IDBI Bank. The MMRDA commissioner will meet with lenders to finalise the arrangement.Read more