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22 Feb 2026
India's housing market is witnessing a generational reset, with Millennials emerging as the dominant force in urban home buying. Once associated with renting and lifestyle flexibility, this cohort is now driving a strong shift toward ownership, particularly in affordable and mid-income segments across Mumbai, Bengaluru and NCR. Post-pandemic priorities, hybrid work models and rising rental costs have accelerated this transition. Millennials and Gen Z together account for over half of home-loan demand in major cities, reshaping how homes are designed, marketed and delivered. Digital-first research, preference for efficient layouts, smart-home technology and sustainability-focused living have become defining purchase criteria. As this demographic is projected to form nearly 60 per cent of new homebuyers by 2030, their evolving preferences are fundamentally redefining India's residential real estate landscape.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Union government highlighted the urgent need for coordinated urban planning and expanded housing finance to meet growing housing demand in India. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal stressed collaboration between policymakers, banks, housing finance companies, and the National Housing Bank to ensure accessible and inclusive credit. Innovative solutions like a national housing exchange and transit-oriented development were proposed to connect housing with workplaces and public transport. These initiatives aim to address both the rising urban population and the shortage of affordable housing across cities.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Maharashtra government has directed the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to prepare a draft structure plan for the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), aiming to establish a strategic framework for future urbanisation, infrastructure and public utilities. The move follows legislative changes introduced in the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act that replace detailed development plans with broader structure planning at the regional level. The draft will focus on high-level regional mobility corridors, road hierarchies, essential services and identification of environmentally sensitive areas, without delving into plot-specific land use zoning. Officials said the plan is expected to be completed within six months and will form the basis for subsequent detailed planning efforts to accommodate anticipated population growth and spill-over from core cities such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised that the structure plan will underpin coordinated infrastructure and development projects across the metropolitan region.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Gurugram has recently conducted an enforcement drive to dismantle illegal colonies and unauthorised structures across multiple locations after receiving public complaints. The operation, carried out over several days, saw foundation-level constructions, boundary walls and internal roads removed in areas including Sadhrana, Bohra Kalan, Jamalpur and Sector 89, where work was halted at early stages to discourage further unauthorised development. In addition to clearing encroachments on agricultural and revenue land, an unapproved site office within a licensed residential colony was also demolished. Police personnel supported the enforcement teams to maintain order during the proceedings. Officials stressed that sustained action will continue to curb unplanned expansion and urged prospective buyers to verify project licences before investing, as part of efforts to protect homebuyers and uphold urban planning norms.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is preparing to open a 7.5-km elevated stretch of the Namma Metro Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Taverekere later this year. While trial runs have begun and seven stations are nearing readiness, poor road conditions, broken footpaths, garbage accumulation and weak pedestrian access along Bannerghatta Road are raising concerns among residents. Commuters fear that without proper last-mile connectivity and basic civic works, the Metro's ability to ease congestion and improve daily travel may remain limited.Read more
21 Feb 2026
A civic scrutiny in Mumbai has revealed that construction debris generated from nearly 2,000 redevelopment projects was not transported to authorised dumping or recycling locations. The findings raised concerns within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after it emerged that builders repeatedly listed the same limited sites for debris disposal, which could not have handled such volumes. Environmental groups have linked the missing debris to illegal dumping in ecologically sensitive areas. The issue has led to a temporary freeze on approvals for several redevelopment projects across the city.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Noida Metro Rail Corporation will redraw the detailed project report for the Greater Noida West metro corridor, reducing Phase 1 to just four stations instead of the 11 originally proposed, local authorities said earlier this week. The decision follows recent approval of the Aqua Line extension from Botanical Garden to Sector 142 by the Union Cabinet, prompting a reassessment of priorities and connectivity strategies. Under the revised plan, the first phase will terminate at Greater Noida Sector 4 (Gaur Chowk) with intermediate stops including Sector 61 (interchange with Delhi Metro), Sector 70 and Sector 123, offering a more focused initial stretch for commuters. The remainder of the corridor may be developed later by NMRC or integrated into future rapid transit projects, and the fresh DPR will be submitted to government bodies for clearances. The adjustment underscores ongoing planning efforts to synchronise metro expansion with broader regional transport networks and commuter demand in Noida and Greater Noida.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Adani Group has outlined a plan to invest USD 100 billion, equivalent to about INR 8.4 lakh crore, to build renewable energy-powered data centres designed for artificial intelligence across India by 2035. The programme aims to expand its data centre capacity from 2 GW to 5 GW and is expected to trigger additional investments of around USD 150 billion in allied infrastructure. The initiative will rely on large-scale renewable power, support domestic AI innovation, and strengthen India's data and computing backbone.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The central government is preparing a new policy framework to revive private investment in the highways sector, targeting projects worth around INR 1 trillion, or USD 11 billion, to be awarded by FY27. Private participation had weakened due to revenue risks and regulatory delays, with most projects shifting to government-funded models. The proposed changes aim to improve revenue protection, ease approvals, and allow financial investors to bid independently. The move aligns with broader infrastructure plans and a proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund announced in the latest budget.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Lucknow Metro has introduced a QR code-based ticketing system that allows commuters to book metro tickets through a mobile app and at stations, aiming to simplify travel and reduce queues. Launched at Hazratganj Metro Station by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) Managing Director, the system enables passengers to book tickets via the official Lucknow Metro Official mobile application on Android and iOS, or obtain printed QR tickets at ticket vending machines (TVMs) and counters across all stations. Once booked, tickets can be scanned at Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates marked with yellow strips for entry and exit. Additional features include UPI payment support at QR-enabled machines, while traditional token services remain available on other TVMs. Officials described the initiative as a step toward digital, faster and more convenient urban travel.Read more
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21 Feb 2026
Authorities in Gurugram have dismantled two farmhouses and a concrete wall spread over about 26 acres in the Raisina hill area of the Aravali range after identifying fresh unauthorised construction activity in the ecologically sensitive zone, officials said on Monday. The demolition, carried out by the forest department, followed a survey that found extensive concretisation, vegetation clearance and the use of earthmovers without statutory permissions on land protected under the Aravali Notification as uncultivable hill terrain. The action underscores ongoing enforcement to protect the fragile landscape from illegal encroachments and construction, which violate provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act and environmental safeguards. Previous directives from tribunals and courts have called for removal of unauthorised structures across the Aravalis.Read more
21 Feb 2026
France's CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping company, is set to formalise a shipbuilding contract with India's Cochin Shipyard Ltd for six liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessels worth about USD 300 million, marking the first time a global liner has placed such an order in India. Each vessel will have a capacity of about 1,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and be built with technical cooperation from a Korean partner. The deal follows an earlier Letter of Intent and comes amid government support for specialised shipbuilding.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Union Cabinet has approved an INR 18,662 crore project to build India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam. The 33.7 km corridor will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, sharply reducing travel distance and time between the two locations. Planned as a twin-tube tunnel with road lanes and future rail provision, the project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and support economic activity across Upper Assam and nearby states.Read more
21 Feb 2026
Colliers India expects global capability centres (GCCs) to drive as much as 40-50% of India's Grade A office space demand across the top seven cities over the next few years, supported by strong economic growth and improving global trade linkages. US-headquartered firms continue to dominate GCC leasing, accounting for nearly 70% of space taken up since 2020, although demand from the UK and European Union is projected to rise steadily. According to the consultancy, annual GCC leasing could scale up to 35-40 million sq ft as trade agreements with the US, EU and UK reduce market entry barriers and encourage multinational firms to expand India operations across technology, BFSI, engineering and consulting. This shift is expected to further entrench GCCs as a core driver of India's office market.Read more
21 Feb 2026
Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has started constructing a construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing facility costing INR 11.7 crore on a 9 acre site at Hanchya Sathagalli, near the Outer Ring Road. The plant will process around 100 tonnes of C&D waste daily, addressing a significant portion of the city's 500 tonnes of daily solid waste. Preparations include site groundwork, collection of debris, and deployment of tippers. The project also aims to reduce illegal dumping and improve recycling ahead of a Union ministry cleanliness survey scheduled for mid-March.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The National Green Tribunal has allowed the INR 90,000 crore Great Nicobar infrastructure project to move ahead, stating that the environmental clearance already granted includes adequate safeguards. The tribunal found no grounds to interfere after examining objections related to ecological impact, forest diversion, and tribal rights. It noted that issues raised by petitioners had been reviewed earlier by a high-powered committee. While disposing of the pleas, the tribunal directed authorities to ensure strict compliance with all clearance conditions during project execution.Read more
21 Feb 2026
India's first Emergency Landing Facility in the Northeast has been commissioned on a national highway stretch in Assam, strengthening the region's aviation and defence preparedness. The facility allows military and civilian aircraft to land during emergencies and has been developed with support from the Indian Air Force. Fighter jets and transport aircraft successfully operated from the highway strip, demonstrating its readiness. The project adds a new layer of operational flexibility for disaster response, logistics, and strategic requirements, while also improving infrastructure resilience in a region with limited aviation alternatives.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three national highway projects involving an investment of INR 11,079.10 crore to upgrade key road stretches in Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra. The projects include four-laning of important corridors and rehabilitation of existing highways under Hybrid Annuity and EPC models. These upgrades are aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel time, easing freight movement and supporting economic activity across industrial, tribal and logistics-linked districts. The projects are also expected to generate substantial employment during construction.Read more
21 Feb 2026
As Global Capability Centres (GCCs) evolve from cost-arbitrage units to strategic enterprise partners, governance models are emerging as critical enablers of sustained success. Industry leaders say governance should function not as a control mechanism but as a clarity-driven framework aligning global strategy with local execution. Clear decision rights, accountability structures and transparent performance forums help bridge the gap between headquarters intent and operational delivery. According to Alouk Kumar, CEO and MD of Inductus Group, effective governance synchronises intent and delivery while fostering trust between global and local teams. As GCCs expand into innovation, digital transformation and risk management, governance must evolve from activity-based oversight to outcome-oriented stewardship, supporting agility, talent retention and long-term enterprise value creation.Read more
21 Feb 2026
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the Koparkhairane ward, partially demolishing unauthorised constructions under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Notices under Section 54 had been served earlier this month to two property occupants in Sector 3, Koparkhairane. Following non-compliance, civic officials undertook partial demolition of the structures and imposed penalties of INR 10,000 each, amounting to a total of INR 20,000. The operation was conducted under the direction of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, with senior officials and police personnel present. The corporation has stated that similar enforcement action against illegal constructions will continue in the future.Read more
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