Chennai News Desk

25 Feb 2026

The extension of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited's Phase II network between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani is approaching the point of commissioning, but the final timeline remains uncertain as key safety trials and funding issues are resolved. Officials have signalled that the stretch of approximately 14.6 kilometres, featuring 11 stations and connecting the new line with the existing Vadapalani interchange, could be brought into service soon after completing mandatory safety clearances and certification procedures. Recent interim budget remarks by the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister highlighted progress and planned extensions of the metro project, though he also noted delays in central funding commitments under the shared cost model for the corridor, which has increased state borrowing. While the Poonamallee Porur section has passed recent inspections, regulatory scrutiny of the Porur Vadapalani segment has identified items requiring rectification, potentially affecting the launch schedule. Pending the completion of these works and final approval from safety authorities, partial operations on the Phase II corridor may begin shortly, with further work continuing on remaining stations and broader project corridors.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

25 Feb 2026

Mumbai is planning a 70-hectare coastal park, termed the Green Necklace,stretching from Priyadarshini Park near Nepeansea Road to Worli, complementing the city's Marine Drive Queen's Necklace. The project will feature nearly 60,000 trees, forests, gardens, sports spaces, promenades, and plazas. About 80% of the area will be softscape with native coastal plants designed to withstand wind, saline soil, and sea spray. Developed by Reliance Industries Ltd under CSR in coordination with BMC, the masterplan involves six international firms and aims to enhance public access, biodiversity, and green cover along Mumbai's waterfront.Read more

Visakhapatnam News Desk

25 Feb 2026

The Andhra Pradesh government has successfully completed land acquisition for a major advanced data centre project linked to Google in the Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli region, marking a significant step forward for large-scale technology infrastructure investment in South India. A total of about 601.4 acres has now been cleared and allotted through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, up from an earlier approved 480 acres, to the notified developer for construction of data centre campuses. The expanded land parcel is expected to support part of the company's multi-billion-dollar investment one of the largest AI and hyperscale data centre initiatives in the country and will attract further economic activity and employment to the region. The allocation covers multiple sites and strengthens Visakhapatnam's position as a priority destination for global digital infrastructure projects.Read more

25 Feb 2026

The long-running Ranchi Smart City initiative has taken a major step forward as land mutation issues that previously delayed progress are now close to resolution, officials said. Most of the required land parcels part of the roughly 656-acre designated development area have been mutated and allocated, clearing a key procedural hurdle and enabling accelerated infrastructure work across the smart city's planning zones. The breakthrough is expected to unlock stalled development, help attract fresh investment and bring forward construction of housing and amenities, advancing the city's broader modernization goals. Authorities emphasised that resolving land-registration bottlenecks will support smoother implementation of planned utilities and urban design frameworks, boosting confidence among developers and stakeholders engaged in the project's next phases.Read more

25 Feb 2026

Maharashtra's principal infrastructure agencies this week detailed plans for a coordinated development strategy encompassing expressways, airports, urban transit and industrial corridors, intended to underpin the state's long-term economic expansion. Speaking at the Mumbai Global Economic Cooperation (GEC) Summit 2026, agency officials said the emphasis had shifted from individual projects to an integrated network approach that knits together highways such as the 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg, expanded metro systems, multimodal corridors and the emerging Navi Mumbai International Airport. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation described development efforts around strategic interchanges and logistics nodes, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation highlighted urban expansion, cargo connectivity and aviation-linked commercial zones. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation reaffirmed its role in driving the next phase of industrialisation through corridors and manufacturing hubs, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority outlined plans for extensive metro lines, multimodal corridors and bullet-train connectivity to unlock jobs and investment in emerging growth areas.Read more

24 Feb 2026

Average apartment sizes across India's seven largest residential markets have grown by about 17 per cent over the past two years, according to real estate data compiled by industry consultants. The increase reflects a shift towards larger configurations and a growing emphasis on spacious living as demand for premium housing strengthens. Data shows average unit size across these cities expanded from around 1,420 sq ft in 2023 to roughly 1,676 sq ft in 2025, with an 8 per cent rise over the past year alone. Growth patterns vary by city, with regions such as the National Capital Region recording the highest gains, while others like Kolkata have exhibited relatively modest increases. Analysts attribute the trend to changing buyer preferences for bigger homes, particularly in markets where higher-end supply has expanded. The rise in average sizes forms part of broader shifts in urban housing demand, with larger layouts increasingly featured in new launches and project planning.Read more

24 Feb 2026

The Department of Telecommunications has written to Noida International Airport, asking it to take necessary steps to enable the installation of telecom infrastructure by private operators, citing provisions under the Telecom Act and related Right of Way rules. The department stated that the airport qualifies as a public entity and is therefore required to process Right of Way applications in a non-discriminatory, fair and transparent manner within prescribed timelines. The communication outlines the statutory framework governing telecom network deployment on public premises. In response, Noida International Airport has stated that common-use telecom infrastructure is already available to all licensed service providers on equal terms and confirmed that BSNL has deployed its network at the airport. The airport authority said it remains focused on delivering future-ready digital connectivity, including 5G services.Read more

24 Feb 2026

Indian logistics firm Delhivery has entered a strategic collaboration with global chipmaker NVIDIA to develop advanced AI-powered mapping and location intelligence solutions specifically designed for India's complex geography and non-standardised addressing systems. Unveiled at a major AI summit, the initiative combines Delhivery's proprietary dataset built from billions of shipments with NVIDIA's accelerated computing stack and open AI models to create scalable, locally relevant digital maps. The partnership aims to improve last-mile delivery accuracy by resolving address ambiguities and interpreting vernacular, landmark-based directions that often challenge conventional global mapping platforms. Executives said this India-centric mapping infrastructure could support more efficient logistics, e-commerce and supply-chain operations as the country's digital economy grows. Development will draw on technologies such as CV-CUDA and Nemotron models, tailored for the unique demands of Indian addresses and terrain.Read more

24 Feb 2026

Kerala has signed agreements with IOCL, CONCOR, and CWC to execute a Rs 2,000 crore logistics master plan at Vizhinjam International Seaport, aiming to transform it into a key maritime and economic hub. The investment is divided among bunkering facilities, rail-linked infrastructure, and a multimodal logistics park. The project ensures public sector oversight while operating on a PPP model, preventing monopolisation in cargo handling and ensuring fair pricing. The plan promises major infrastructure upgrades without imposing financial burden on the state exchequer.Read more

24 Feb 2026

NTPC Renewable Energy has launched commercial supply of 165 MW from the second phase of its 1,200 MW Khavda-II solar project in Gujarat, raising NTPC Green Energy's total capacity to 8,992.68 MW. The step-down subsidiary of NTPC Ltd has now made this segment operational as of February 20. This addition strengthens NTPC's renewable energy presence in Gujarat, aligning with the company's continued expansion in solar energy across India and supporting the nation's clean energy goals.Read more