14 May 2026

• Nara Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh plans to develop an integrated township in Amaravati inspired by Singapore’s Punggol district as part of the proposed Amaravati Economic Region.
• During meetings in Singapore, the state government sought support for township development, digital governance initiatives and trade connectivity projects under an existing bilateral MoU.
• The government is also planning to position Andhra Pradesh as a global MICE destination through convention infrastructure projects in Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati.
• Andhra Pradesh has invited proposals for development of the Amaravati Economic Region and is seeking World Bank support for implementation of the township project.
• The discussions additionally covered blockchain-enabled trade corridors, port-led industrialisation and export connectivity for sectors including agriculture, seafood, pharmaceuticals and minerals.Read more

14 May 2026

• Toyota Kirloskar Motor plans to establish a third manufacturing plant in India at Maharashtra’s Bidkin Industrial Area.
• The facility will have an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles and is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2029.
• The proposed unit will manufacture a new SUV model and employ around 2,800 people.
• The expansion comes as Toyota increases production capacity amid rising SUV demand in India and nearby export markets.Read more

14 May 2026

• Haryana has introduced a digital building plan approval system for residential properties under municipal areas to reduce delays and improve transparency in approvals.
• The online platform allows citizens, architects and developers to submit and track applications without visiting government offices physically.
• The rollout comes as the state continues broader urban governance reforms, including online civic services, digital approvals and simplified construction compliance norms.
• Along with the launch, the state government also announced welfare transfers of over INR 2,115 crore and expanded digital services for farmers and residents.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

14 May 2026

Bengaluru Integrated Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise Limited has awarded a INR 1,514 crore contract to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, for the supply of 153 air-conditioned broad-gauge metro-style coaches for Bengaluru’s suburban rail project. The coaches will serve Corridors 2 and 4 of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and are expected to be delivered within 18 months. Officials stated that the order aligns with the targeted operationalisation of the Chikkabanavara–Yeshwanthpur section under Corridor 2. The contract includes design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning and regulatory approvals for the rolling stock. The development marks a significant execution milestone for the long-delayed suburban rail network aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving regional connectivity across Bengaluru’s expanding urban corridor.Read more

14 May 2026

IIT Madras Global is planning to launch centres in four countries by the end of this year as part of its broader strategy to strengthen international research, innovation and startup collaborations. The expansion is aimed at helping Indian deep-tech startups and researchers access global markets, industry partnerships and investment opportunities. The proposed centres are expected to come up in regions including the US, Germany, Dubai and Malaysia. IIT Madras is also focusing on technology commercialisation, applied research and international academic programmes as it looks to build a stronger global innovation network.Read more

14 May 2026

Andhra Pradesh is set to strengthen its aerospace and defence ecosystem with the proposed Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Complex at Puttaparthi in Sri Sathya Sai district. The facility, linked to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, will support aircraft assembly, integration and flight testing activities for indigenous fighter jets and unmanned systems. The project has received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Defence and is expected to attract investments of nearly INR 1 lakh crore over time. The state government has also committed land allocation, runway expansion and aviation infrastructure support for the strategic defence project.Read more

13 May 2026

Indian Railways has temporarily paused fresh procurement orders for AI-enabled surveillance cameras while revised operational guidelines are being finalised, according to a report by The Economic Times. The review comes amid a wider digital infrastructure expansion programme undertaken during 2025-26. Indian Railways has deployed AI-based video surveillance systems at 1,874 stations, commissioned IP MPLS telecom infrastructure at 1,396 stations and integrated automatic real-time passenger announcement systems at 1,405 stations. The railway network is also installing tunnel communication systems across difficult terrain projects, including the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link corridor.Read more

13 May 2026

Housing societies and residential projects in Mumbai will now be able to develop larger wellness and recreational facilities without these spaces being counted under the project’s Floor Space Index (FSI). The Maharashtra government has amended provisions under DCPR 2034 and increased the permissible FSI-free area for such amenities from 2% to 4% of the total built-up area. The revised rules include facilities such as gyms, yoga centres, meditation rooms and recreation areas. The move is expected to help residential societies create better community infrastructure as demand for lifestyle and wellness amenities continues to rise across Mumbai’s housing sector.Read more

13 May 2026

• Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Mundka-Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-II corridor.
• The plaza is the second MLFF-enabled tolling facility in India after the Choryasi Toll Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat, which became operational earlier this month.
• National Highways Authority of India plans to implement the technology at 17 toll plazas across nine states by September 2026, followed by over 108 additional plazas under the second phase by March 2027.
• The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology alongside FASTag-based toll collection to enable uninterrupted vehicle movement through toll corridors.
• The initiative is expected to reduce congestion, improve highway travel efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and support faster inter-city road connectivity.Read more

13 May 2026

India’s construction equipment industry reported a marginal decline in overall sales during FY26 as slower infrastructure execution, project delays and liquidity concerns affected domestic demand. Total equipment dispatches fell nearly 2 per cent year-on-year, while domestic sales declined around 7 per cent. Despite these challenges, exports recorded strong growth of 32 per cent, helping the sector maintain stability. Industry body ICEMA said delays in land acquisition, slower contractor payments and higher equipment costs due to new emission norms impacted the market. However, the industry remains optimistic about long-term growth driven by continued infrastructure development across the country.Read more