Advertisement
22 Feb 2026
Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat has sought central government support for a large-scale and planned redevelopment of Ramakrishna Beach, citing long-pending infrastructure and safety concerns. In his representation to the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry, he flagged traffic congestion, limited pedestrian access, weak drainage and damage to existing coastal structures. The proposal calls for a unified master plan covering public amenities, mobility, shoreline protection and parking. The Centre has acknowledged the submission and is expected to examine the proposal further.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Jodhpur Division of North Western Railway has expanded its surveillance network by installing 447 CCTV cameras across eight railway stations to improve passenger safety and station monitoring. The largest deployment has taken place at Jaisalmer station, which recently underwent redevelopment under the Amrit Station Scheme at a cost of around INR 140 crore. Cameras have been installed across platforms, entry and exit points, waiting areas and other sensitive locations to support real-time monitoring, improve response to incidents and strengthen overall station management.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Telangana government is working on a proposal to develop a direct railway link between Mellacheruvu in Suryapet district and Hyderabad to improve regional connectivity. The project is expected to support industrial activity, ease passenger movement, and improve access for devotees visiting the Sri Ishta Kameswari Sametha Swayambhu Shambulingeshwara Swamy temple. The plan includes a double railway line with passenger services. State authorities are coordinating with the Centre to take the proposal forward, while the government has also allocated INR 1 crore for temple-related facilities.Read more
22 Feb 2026
North Western Railway has withdrawn two Vande Bharat Express services operating on the Udaipur-Jaipur and Udaipur-Agra routes after persistent low passenger occupancy. The decision follows an internal review that found the premium trains were not generating adequate ridership, particularly on weekdays, despite faster travel times. Higher ticket prices compared with conventional trains were cited as a key factor affecting demand. The withdrawn trainsets will now be redeployed on the upcoming Udaipur City-Asarwa Vande Bharat route to better align capacity with travel demand.Read more
22 Feb 2026
Data obtained through a Right to Information application has shown that more than 83,000 trees were felled in Uttarakhand over the past five years for highway construction works. Most of the tree loss occurred on major national highway stretches executed by the National Highways Authority of India. While authorities have stated that compensatory plantations were carried out, detailed project-wise plantation data was not available in several cases. The disclosures have renewed focus on how environmental safeguards are implemented during large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions.Read more
22 Feb 2026
Residents of Bhubaneswar's GGP Colony have raised complaints that a developer is encroaching on a common road and parts of the residential complex for a new construction project. Heavy vehicles and unauthorised commercial use of common areas have reduced parking and disrupted daily life. Despite inspection reports and favourable orders from ORERA and an ODA court, residents say authorities have not acted on the ground. Their letters to the state housing department were forwarded to civic agencies, but enforcement remains slow, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring of encroachments in the city.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The Jammu & Kashmir government is taking steps to simplify the process for obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) for building approvals within municipal areas. The Social Welfare Minister informed the Assembly that under the J-K Unified Building Bylaws 2021, multiple department clearances are currently required, causing delays. The Town Planning Organisation in Kashmir, with only three town planners for 40 local bodies, is being reorganised to establish a district cadre and support master plan implementation. Authorities will ensure NOCs are issued in a time-bound manner while considering legislative suggestions to reduce delays.Read more
22 Feb 2026
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has intensified its action against unauthorised constructions by demolishing an illegal commercial shed in the Turbhe division. The operation was conducted under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and supervised by senior civic officials from the Encroachment Department. The structure, erected at Unit No. 3, Plot No. 6, Sector 19C, Turbhe, was reportedly being used for commercial purposes despite the issuance of a statutory notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Following non-compliance, the Corporation carried out a demolition drive with police protection and technical equipment. Officials have stated that similar enforcement actions will continue to ensure planned urban development and compliance with municipal regulations.Read more
22 Feb 2026
The planned runway expansion at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport continues to face delays due to pending land acquisition and defence clearances. Around 22 acres are required to meet mandatory runway end safety area norms, with a key portion owned by a defence public sector unit. Despite multiple discussions between state authorities and the Union government, approvals are still awaited. The project is further complicated by the need to realign a nearby road and relocate a fire station, pushing the timeline back.Read more
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
Advertisement
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
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
Advertisement
