Mumbai News Desk

13 Mar 2026

Mumbai's civic administration is moving forward with a plan to build distinctive entry arches at major entry points, complemented by practical amenities. The mayor recently visited Vashi, Airoli, and Mulund entry points to review progress and fast-track planning. The arches will be accompanied by landscaped parks, parking spaces, air conditioned restrooms, and designated stalls for local entrepreneurs and community groups. Additionally, a transport and commercial hub is being planned at the former Dahisar octroi site, integrating bus services, retail spaces, and hotels to improve connectivity and revenue generation.Read more

Chennai News Desk

13 Mar 2026

The launch of two major urban rail projects in Chennai the MRTS extension from Velachery to St Thomas Mount and the first operational stretch of Chennai Metro Phase-2 has been delayed, postponing services that were expected to begin in early March. The 4.5 km MRTS extension, built at a cost of about INR 734 crore, is awaiting final safety certification from the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) before passenger operations can commence. At the same time, the initial 14.6 km section of Metro Phase-2 between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani has received conditional clearance but cannot open until remaining construction works, including deck slab installations on a double-decker viaduct, are completed. The two projects are expected to strengthen multimodal connectivity in the city by linking suburban rail, MRTS and metro networks once operational.Read more

13 Mar 2026

The Gujarat government has launched a statewide system to digitally track and monitor more than 1.5 lakh public assets through an Asset Safety Monitoring Portal. The platform will integrate information on roads, bridges, government buildings and other infrastructure to ensure regular inspection and maintenance. A directive issued by the General Administration Department requires officials to upload inspection reports and photographs through the portal. District collectors and municipal commissioners will conduct periodic reviews, while a dedicated monitoring cell will oversee operations at the state level. The system is expected to help authorities identify structural risks early and ensure timely repairs.Read more

13 Mar 2026

Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is moving ahead with plans to develop a 20-acre cruise village to support international cruise tourism. The port operator has formally submitted the proposal to state authorities, and it is under government review. The project is designed to align with future port expansion phases and provide a dedicated hub for cruise passengers, with facilities like lounges, baggage handling, customs, and transport connectivity to nearby tourist destinations. The initiative strengthens Vizhinjam's position as a growing maritime and cruise tourism hub.Read more

13 Mar 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved a revised project cost of INR 3,630.77 crore to develop a road corridor connecting the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar with major expressway networks in the National Capital Region. The 31.42-km greenfield corridor will link the airport to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through the DND Faridabad-Ballabhgarh-Sohna spur. Around 11 km of the road will be elevated to ensure smooth traffic flow. The project aims to improve access from Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram and support passenger and cargo movement once the airport begins operations.Read more

13 Mar 2026

Indian Railways has started a redevelopment programme for 12 stations along the Prayagraj Junction Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Junction corridor, aimed at improving passenger experience and operational efficiency. The initiative coincides with the construction of a third railway line designed for speeds up to 160 km/h. Redevelopment plans include modern station buildings, platforms dedicated to the third line, dual-entry access points, and upgraded foot over bridges. Early work at Karchana and Mirzapur stations, including new buildings and bridges, reflects progress on this significant corridor enhancement.Read more

13 Mar 2026

Indian Railways has sanctioned infrastructure and technology upgrade projects worth over INR 765 crore to modernise electric traction systems and strengthen communication networks across key railway corridors. The approved works include traction system upgrades on the Duvvada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram section under East Coast Railway and the Raichur Guntakal section in the South Central Railway zone, both of which will shift from the existing 125 kV electrification system to a more advanced 225 kV configuration. In addition, the railways have cleared a project to expand the optical fibre communication network across the Vadodara and Mumbai Central divisions of Western Railway. The upgrades are intended to support higher freight loading, improve operational reliability, and strengthen the digital backbone required for modern railway signalling and safety systems such as Kavach.Read more

12 Mar 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is actively securing bitumen supplies to ensure uninterrupted road construction amid conflict in West Asia that threatens imports. India consumes nearly 9 million tonnes annually, with around one third traditionally sourced from abroad. NHAI is coordinating with domestic refiners including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL to lock in supplies and manage price fluctuations. Officials are also considering increasing local production and diversifying imports to Southeast Asian countries to reduce dependency. Rising global prices and logistical challenges are key concerns for ongoing highway projects.Read more

12 Mar 2026

Arunachal Pradesh has completed 1,254 out of 1,309 roads sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), reaching about 96 percent progress in rural road development. The update was shared in the state Assembly by Rural Works Department minister Pasang Dorjee Sona. The remaining projects are mainly located in remote and difficult areas where construction has been affected by long monsoon seasons, landslides, terrain challenges and local land-related issues. The state government has requested the central government to extend the deadline until March 2027 and has also sought relaxation in eligibility norms to improve connectivity in smaller habitations.Read more

12 Mar 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to declare Madurai Airport as an international airport, a move aimed at improving global connectivity for southern Tamil Nadu. The decision is expected to support tourism, trade, and economic activity in and around Madurai, which is an important cultural and industrial centre in the region. Officials stated that the proposal was cleared considering the long-standing demand from local residents and businesses. The upgrade will allow airlines to operate more direct international services and strengthen the city's role in regional aviation and tourism development.Read more