17 Jan 2026

Since the Bairabi Sairang railway line began operations last September, more than 22,500 Inner Line Permits (ILPs) have been issued at Mizoram's Sairang station. The permits, required for Indian citizens and non-indigenous visitors entering protected areas, were mostly granted to tourists, traders, migrant workers, and professionals. Daily, around 400 permits are processed as two passenger trains arrive at the station. Most visitors come from Assam, Delhi, West Bengal, and southern states. The surge in permits reflects growing use of the new rail link and administrative efforts to manage mobility while maintaining regulatory compliance.Read more

17 Jan 2026

The UAE is set to launch its first national passenger rail network under the Etihad Rail programme later this year, connecting 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates, from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. Trains will run at speeds up to 200 km/h, offering significant reductions in travel time, including a journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in under an hour. The network features strategically located stations with strong integration to local transport systems, supporting commuters, tourists, and business travel while enhancing national connectivity.Read more

17 Jan 2026

B.R. Goyal Infrastructure Ltd has been awarded a contract worth INR 86.7 crore by the National Highways Authority of India to manage toll fee collection and maintain facilities at two major toll plazas on National Highway 76 in Rajasthan. The project covers the Simliya Fee Plaza at km 409.680 and the Fatehpur Fee Plaza at km 461.290 along the Kota Baran stretch, including upkeep of adjacent toilet blocks. The work will be executed over one year, following a competitive e-tender process, with no promoter or related party interests involved.Read more

16 Jan 2026

Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), India's largest container port, is set to be connected to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) by the end of March 2026. The final 102 km JNPT Vaitarna section, forming the last mile, is in advanced stages of completion. This connection will allow freight from JNPT to move directly on dedicated freight routes, reducing reliance on conventional rail, cutting transit time, and easing congestion. Officials have also prepared reports for three more major corridors worth INR 4.5 lakh crore, aiming to strengthen freight infrastructure across the country.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The Chandigarh administration has announced plans to revamp the city's building bylaws to support industrial growth, attract investment and improve ease of doing business. The proposed overhaul aims to realign existing regulations, which largely focus on residential and commercial use, with the needs of industrial and manufacturing activities. Key changes will target faster approvals, clearer land-use planning, and updated norms for floor area, utilities and compliance. Officials said the revisions will reduce delays while maintaining safety, environmental and quality standards. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting it could unlock opportunities in industrial parks and logistics hubs. The administration plans stakeholder consultations before notifying the revised bylaws in the coming months.Read more

16 Jan 2026

Alaska Airlines has placed its largest aircraft order to date with Boeing, committing to 110 jets and securing options for 35 more. The deal includes 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft and five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, marking a major step in fleet modernisation and international expansion. The order reflects renewed confidence in Boeing's manufacturing controls following earlier safety issues. It also aligns with Alaska's post-merger strategy after acquiring Hawaiian Airlines to strengthen long-haul operations.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The 213 kilometre Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor is nearing completion and is expected to open for traffic shortly after the first week of February. The project, costing around INR 11,000 crore, has been adjusted to meet local requirements, including raising road height at one underpass for overloaded tractors and adding a new interchange following public protests. More than 99% of construction is done, and finishing touches, such as rest stops, amenities, and toll plazas, are being applied. Travel time between Delhi and Dehradun is set to reduce to under three hours.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The National Highways Authority of India has launched a pilot project on two national highway corridors to provide real-time safety alerts related to stray cattle movement. The initiative is aimed at reducing accidents caused by sudden cattle presence, particularly during foggy and low-visibility conditions. The pilot is being implemented on the Jaipur-Agra and Jaipur-Rewari corridors. As part of the project, Reliance Jio has upgraded its telecom platform to support nationwide delivery of location-based alerts. The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding signed between NHAI and Reliance Jio earlier last month to introduce a telecom-based safety alert system across the national highway network.Read more

16 Jan 2026

NTPC Renewable Energy has initiated the commercial supply of 300 MW from its 500 MW Bhadla solar project in Rajasthan, effective January 13. The addition raises NTPC group’s total installed capacity to 87,287 MW and commercial capacity to 86,207 MW. The initial phase is being implemented through NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd and its subsidiary NGEL. The company has informed the stock exchanges about the declaration of the commercial operation date for this first 300 MW. This step reinforces NTPC’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced Kerala's first highway noise barriers along the 12.75 km Aroor Thuravoor elevated road to reduce traffic noise near residential areas, schools, and hospitals. The transparent polycarbonate panels, fitted above existing boundary walls, are expected to lower noise levels by 10-15 decibels. Work is ongoing on the Thuravoor Kuthiathode section, with a dedicated cycle track beneath the elevated corridor. A 5 km stretch will open by March, while the full highway is expected to be completed by late June, balancing infrastructure development with community concerns.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The World Bank has approved loans worth USD 680 million for three projects in Assam aimed at improving climate resilience, education outcomes, and governance systems. The approvals cover initiatives focused on building disaster-resilient hill roads, strengthening school education and adolescent wellbeing, and enhancing governance and service delivery across the state. The projects are expected to improve connectivity in hilly and rural areas, support learning and life-skills development for more than four million students, and strengthen public financial management and administrative services. All three projects have a final maturity period of 16 years, including a three-year grace period, and are designed to support long-term development objectives in Assam.Read more

16 Jan 2026

Bihar has accelerated its airport development by operationalising a dedicated civil aviation department to oversee regional aviation projects. Key airports such as Darbhanga, Raxaul, Muzaffarpur, and Purnia are seeing faster land acquisition, tendering, runway extensions, and new terminal constructions. At Darbhanga, the expanded runway and civil enclave terminal are progressing ahead of schedule, while Raxaul and Muzaffarpur await tenders for upgrades. These initiatives build on earlier efforts under the UDAN scheme and agreements with the Airports Authority of India to improve connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in the state.Read more

16 Jan 2026

The National Highways Builders Federation (NHBF) has urged the Finance Ministry to revive the Vivad se Vishwas II scheme or introduce a similar one time settlement mechanism for road and core infrastructure projects. The federation highlighted that unresolved contractual disputes, especially with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), are straining contractors and authorities finances, affecting cash flows and project execution. NHBF proposed extended timelines and broader coverage under a revived scheme to improve dispute resolution and restore investor confidence in the sector.Read more

15 Jan 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has outlined a plan to redesign the Dasna junction where the Delhi Meerut Expressway (DME) intersects with National Highway9 (NH9) to address persistent traffic congestion. Key measures include widening the main Uturn, merging a service road to create an extra lane, installing concrete barriers to separate traffic flows, and closing an underpass that has caused bottlenecks. The revised circulation plan has been shared with traffic authorities, with construction expected to start soon to improve vehicle movement and commuter safety.Read more

15 Jan 2026

The central government recently launched infrastructure and digital projects worth INR 235 crore at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, aimed at strengthening port safety, resilience, and operational efficiency. Investments include coastal protection, modern firefighting systems, hospital upgrades, and an integrated digital platform at Chennai Port. At Kamarajar Port, access control and breakwater rehabilitation were prioritised following past cyclone damage. A nationwide e-port clearance portal was also introduced to simplify certificate issuance for vessels. The projects reflect ongoing efforts to modernise India's ports and improve maritime logistics.Read more

15 Jan 2026

Kanpur administration has intensified efforts to reduce accidents caused by dense fog on national highways. Streetlights have been rescheduled to improve early morning and night visibility, and illegally parked vehicles along highways are being removed to ensure smoother traffic flow. Public awareness campaigns under National Road Safety Month are educating motorists about safe driving in low visibility, including using reflective tapes on vehicles. Highway patrol teams are regularly inspecting streetlights and roads. These steps are part of ongoing measures to improve road safety amid persistent fog in the region.Read more

15 Jan 2026

The final section of Phase II of the Ahmedabad Gandhinagar metro was inaugurated earlier this week by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, completing the rail link between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. The stretch connects Sector 10A to Mahatma Mandir, adding seven stations at key locations including Sachivalaya, Akshardham Temple, old Sachivalaya, and Sectors 16 and 24. Covering a total of 28.2 km with 22 stations, the corridor is expected to improve daily commuting, reduce road congestion, and strengthen urban connectivity. Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi were present at the launch.Read more

15 Jan 2026

RedBus has introduced NOVA, India's first integrated B2B marketplace designed to modernise the intercity bus sector. The platform connects over 6,000 bus operators with verified vendors offering technology, safety systems, and operational tools at discounts ranging from 20-40 per cent. Integrated with redPro, operators can access procurement, analytics, and dashboards in one interface. During its pilot phase, more than 100 operators have already engaged with the platform. NOVA is expected to improve transparency, reduce operational costs, and support small and mid sized transport businesses in a fragmented market.Read more

15 Jan 2026

Qatar Airways has become the first airline worldwide to equip Boeing 7878 aircraft with Starlink satellite internet while completing the rollout of the service across its Airbus A350 fleet. Nearly 120 widebody aircraft now operate with high-speed connectivity, covering over half of the long haul fleet. Since introducing Starlink in late 2024, more than 11 million passengers have accessed free gate to gate Wi-Fi, supporting streaming, video calls, and work. The airline also benefits from real time operational updates, improving crew coordination and technical monitoring across its global network.Read more

15 Jan 2026

Ethiopian Airlines has begun construction of a USD 12.5 billion airport project in Bishoftu, set to become Africa's largest aviation hub by 2030. The four-runway Bishoftu International Airport will have capacity for 110 million passengers annually and parking for 270 aircraft, far exceeding the limits of Addis Ababa's current airport. Located about 45 km from the capital, the project is seen as critical to supporting Ethiopia's growing air traffic and regional connectivity. Ethiopian Airlines will fund 30% of the development, with the remainder financed by global lenders, including the African Development Bank. The airport marks a major milestone in Africa's aviation and infrastructure landscape.Read more