06 May 2026

The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated an extensive investigation into around 2,600 illegal colonies developed across the state in violation of planning regulations. The probe, directed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, covers unauthorised residential, commercial, and industrial developments constructed without approvals from town planning and civic authorities. Officials from multiple departments, including Town and Country Planning and Urban Local Bodies, are under scrutiny for alleged collusion. The investigation, supported by land records and technical inputs, is in advanced stages, with administrative and penal action likely against those found responsible. The development highlights persistent challenges around unauthorised urban expansion and regulatory enforcement in Haryana’s real estate landscape.Read more

06 May 2026

The Chhattisgarh government has commenced construction of a pressurised lift irrigation project in Jashpur district with an estimated cost of INR 119 crore. The scheme, inaugurated in the past week, will irrigate over 4,933 hectares of land across 13 villages, benefiting predominantly rain-dependent farmers. Implemented under the Centre’s SAMRIDHI-M-CAD programme, the project involves a modern underground pipeline network replacing traditional canals. With partial central funding of INR 95.89 crore, the system will incorporate solar power, SCADA and IoT-based monitoring. Expected to be completed within six months, the project aims to improve water-use efficiency, support year-round irrigation, and strengthen agricultural productivity in the region.Read more

06 May 2026

The Union government is preparing a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar projects, aiming to address land constraints in solar deployment and accelerate capacity addition. The proposal, discussed in the past week, seeks to encourage states to undertake larger-scale projects on water bodies, where installations offer higher efficiency due to natural cooling. India’s total solar capacity has reached 150.26 GW, up from 2.82 GW over the past decade, though floating solar accounts for only around 700 MW. The announcement was made alongside the launch of an expanded industry platform by the National Solar Energy Federation of India to support broader decarbonisation across sectors.Read more

06 May 2026

China’s railway network recorded its highest-ever single-day passenger movement during the peak of the May Day holiday travel period, carrying 24.8 million passengers, according to official data released by China State Railway Group and reported by Reuters. The surge reflects strong domestic travel demand during the holiday season. Authorities also projected that nearly 19.7 million passengers would travel on the following day of the holiday period. The spike in movement highlights continued strength in China’s tourism activity, which remains an important support factor for domestic consumption despite broader economic pressure.Read more

06 May 2026

In Palghar district, Maharashtra, 124 villagers from Varor have voluntarily handed over around 2.5 hectares of land to the administration for the Vadhvan Port project after agreeing to government terms. The parcel, comprising 41 subdivisions, is considered strategically important for port infrastructure and had faced delays due to survey disputes. The land transfer follows direct consultations between officials and residents, with landowners opting to settle compensation matters without litigation or advance payment. The INR 76,220 crore greenfield port, being developed near Dahanu by a joint venture between JNPA and the Maharashtra Maritime Board, involves large-scale marine reclamation and is expected to rank among the world’s major container ports.Read more

06 May 2026

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a USD 70 billion programme aimed at strengthening energy and digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region by 2035. The plan focuses on improving cross-border power connectivity, expanding renewable energy integration, and enhancing broadband access. A major share will be invested in a regional power grid initiative, while the rest will support digital networks such as fibre optics and data centres. The programme is expected to improve electricity access, reduce emissions, lower connectivity costs, and create millions of jobs, supporting long-term economic growth in the region.Read more

06 May 2026

The Goa forest department has designated approximately 6.27 crore square metres of land along the Mandovi and Zuari rivers as ecologically sensitive, effectively restricting construction and commercial activity in these areas. The decision, communicated to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in the past week, follows directives issued by the state’s forest minister. Covering about 6,729.54 hectares across riverbanks, the classification requires the TCP department to enforce provisions under the Town and Country Planning Act. The move introduces regulatory constraints on development across key waterfront stretches, with implications for real estate activity and land use planning in the state.Read more

06 May 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that the Ganga Expressway will remain toll-free for 15 days from the start of its commercial operations, allowing public access without user charges during the initial phase. The directive, issued in the past week, instructs concessionaires IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd and Adani Infrastructure to suspend toll collection temporarily. The expressway, developed under a public-private partnership model, spans from Meerut to Prayagraj and connects 12 districts. While toll rights extend for 27 years, the state will compensate operators for revenue loss during the free-use period. The move is intended to promote early adoption, enable users to assess infrastructure quality, and support regional connectivity.Read more

06 May 2026

The Goa government has permitted construction in designated developable areas under a need-based policy framework, as outlined by state authorities in the past week. The move allows development in select zones while maintaining restrictions on ecologically sensitive and no-development areas. Approvals will be granted based on specific requirements, with scrutiny by planning authorities under existing regulations. The policy is intended to balance development demand with environmental safeguards, particularly in coastal and riverine regions. It follows ongoing efforts by the state to tighten land-use controls while addressing housing and infrastructure needs in urban and peri-urban areas.Read more

06 May 2026

The United Kingdom recorded its highest monthly solar installations in over a decade, with more than 27,000 systems added in March, according to data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The surge was largely driven by residential rooftop adoption as households responded to rising energy costs linked to geopolitical disruptions. Total solar installations across the country have now crossed two million. The growth reflects increasing reliance on distributed renewable energy as consumers seek to manage electricity expenses and reduce exposure to volatile gas prices.Read more

06 May 2026

The Union government has begun identifying households holding both liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and piped natural gas (PNG) connections to enforce a recent regulatory amendment prohibiting dual ownership. The move, notified under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, requires consumers with PNG access to surrender domestic LPG connections. More than 43,000 such connections have already been relinquished, though officials expect higher compliance. The policy aims to prioritise subsidised LPG supply for households without piped gas access, amid constraints driven by global energy disruptions. The decision follows supply pressures linked to geopolitical developments in West Asia, which have impacted India’s imports of crude oil, natural gas and LPG, prompting the government to rationalise allocation and limit fresh LPG connections.Read more

06 May 2026

Private airport operators have approached the civil aviation ministry seeking regulatory support and a temporary increase in user development fees (UDF) for international passengers to offset revenue losses following a 25% reduction in landing and parking charges for domestic flights. The cut, implemented for three months by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to support airlines amid rising fuel costs linked to global tensions, is expected to affect airport cash flows and financial stability. The Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO), representing major airport developers, has also requested deferral of payments to the Airports Authority of India and suggested a revision of charges post-relief period. The appeal highlights financial pressures across the aviation ecosystem, with airlines also seeking government support due to rising operational costs.Read more

06 May 2026

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has approved the grant of urban status to 48 villages in the national capital, paving the way for formal civic infrastructure development in these areas. The decision, taken in the past week, is expected to facilitate the provision of municipal services such as roads, drainage, water supply and sanitation. The move aims to integrate these villages into Delhi’s urban planning framework, allowing regulated development and improved service delivery. Officials indicated that the reclassification will support infrastructure investment and align these areas with statutory urban governance norms.Read more

06 May 2026

The Bombay High Court has directed the demolition of a 16-storey building in Ulhasnagar after finding that permissions were obtained through fraudulent submissions. The court held that the developer misled authorities and carried out large-scale violations, including encroachments on planned development roads. It also pointed out lapses by municipal officials in verifying documents. The structure, comprising 65 flats and four shops, was declared largely illegal, with nearly 80% of it violating norms. The court refused relief to the developer and allowed civic authorities to proceed with demolition.Read more

06 May 2026

UK-based building materials supplier SIG has indicated a likely drop in its first-half profit after reporting a 5% decline in like-for-like sales during the first quarter. Weak demand across European construction markets, impacted by poor weather and a prolonged cyclical slowdown, has weighed on performance. The company also pointed to rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict as near-term risks. However, SIG noted some improvement in trading in recent months and maintained that its cash flow remains strong and ahead of internal expectations.Read more

06 May 2026

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power, has approved an investment of up to INR 6,500 crore to establish a photovoltaic (PV) ingot and wafer manufacturing facility with a planned capacity of up to 10 GW. The project, to be developed in two phases of 5 GW each, marks the company’s entry into upstream solar manufacturing. The initiative is aimed at strengthening backward integration, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting domestic solar supply chains. The move comes amid policy emphasis on localisation of solar manufacturing, including upcoming regulatory requirements under approved list mechanisms. The company expects the project to enhance supply security for its downstream operations while improving operational efficiencies and supporting long-term growth in renewable energy capacity.Read more

06 May 2026

ACC Ltd reported a 68.27% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to INR 238.3 crore for the March quarter of FY26, even as it recorded its highest-ever quarterly revenue of INR 7,124.47 crore. The Adani Group cement firm attributed revenue growth to a higher share of premium products and improved trade sales, alongside record sales volumes of 11.9 million tonnes. Total expenses rose 22.7% during the quarter, impacting profitability. For the full financial year, net profit declined 11% to INR 2,137.23 crore, while total income increased to INR 26,363.8 crore. The company remains debt-free and continues to progress on its proposed merger with Ambuja Cements, expected to conclude by FY27. ACC indicated near-term demand may remain moderate amid macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, though long-term infrastructure demand remains supportive.Read more

06 May 2026

The Telangana High Court has raised serious concerns over alleged illegal construction within the Salkam Cheruvu lake area in Hyderabad, directing authorities to investigate lapses in enforcement. In proceedings held in the past week, the court questioned why encroachments, including institutional developments, were allowed to continue for years without regulatory intervention. It ordered a joint survey to determine lake boundaries and identify violations, while directing senior officials across departments to submit detailed reports. The case highlights regulatory gaps in managing urban lake zones and enforcing development controls in environmentally sensitive areas.Read more

06 May 2026

TotalEnergies and Nextnorth have secured financing and begun construction of a 440 MWp solar park in the Philippines, with an investment of around USD 300 million. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 and generate 1.2 terawatt-hours of electricity over 20 years. Around half of the power will be supplied to industrial users, while the rest will feed into the national grid. The development aligns with the Philippines’ renewable energy push and reflects TotalEnergies’ continued expansion in clean energy across Asia.Read more

06 May 2026

The Gujarat High Court has directed authorities to conduct a detailed aeronautical survey before proceeding with demolition of structures located near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The order, issued in the past week, comes amid disputes over buildings identified as potential obstacles to flight safety. The court instructed aviation and local authorities to assess whether the structures violate permissible height limits under aviation norms before taking coercive action. The directive is expected to impact ongoing enforcement measures and underscores the need for technical evaluation in matters involving urban development near airport zones.Read more