10 Jul 2026

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shri Eshwar Khandre has dismissed allegations by Union Minister Shri H D Kumaraswamy that the state Forest Department encroached on HMT land in Bengaluru to facilitate real estate development. Shri Khandre maintained that HMT itself had encroached on non-diversified forest land and sold roughly 165 acres for INR 300 crore. He said eviction orders already issued rule out further commercial use, and reiterated plans for a 444-acre biodiversity park larger than Lalbagh and Cubbon Park combined.Read more

10 Jul 2026

• Planned as Chennai's second international airport, the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport is expected to expand the city's aviation capacity and support long-term economic and industrial growth.
• Despite the project's strategic importance, residents of Ekanapuram and nearby villages have continued to oppose it, citing concerns over land acquisition, displacement, loss of fertile farmland and the impact on local water resources.
• The Tamil Nadu government has initiated land acquisition and announced compensation and rehabilitation measures, while maintaining that the airport is critical to meeting the region's future connectivity needs.
• As the protest stretches beyond 1,000 days, the project has become a prominent example of the challenges involved in balancing infrastructure development with environmental sustainability and community interests.Read more

10 Jul 2026

The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has intensified its campaign against single-use plastics as part of its broader mission to make the city waste-free and environmentally sustainable. The initiative combines stricter enforcement with awareness programmes and stakeholder engagement, encouraging hotels, restaurants, retailers and other commercial establishments to switch to biodegradable packaging alternatives. By reducing plastic waste at its source and promoting responsible disposal practices, the civic body aims to improve urban sanitation, protect the environment and strengthen Belagavi's solid waste management system through greater public and business participation.Read more

10 Jul 2026

The Delhi Traffic Police has launched a month-long road safety campaign to promote responsible driving behaviour and reduce road accidents across the national capital. The initiative will focus on public awareness, stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and community engagement through educational programmes, street plays and outreach activities. Authorities will collaborate with schools, colleges, resident welfare associations and civil society organisations to encourage adherence to traffic rules. The campaign is part of the police's broader efforts to improve road safety, enhance public participation and foster a culture of responsible road use in Delhi.Read more

10 Jul 2026

The Amaravati Growth Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (AGICL) has invited bids for the construction of the official residence of the Chief Justice in Amaravati at an estimated cost of nearly INR 14 crore. The project forms part of the Andhra Pradesh government's ongoing capital city development programme and includes a two-storey residential bungalow with associated services and landscaping. The tender adds to the pipeline of judicial and administrative infrastructure projects currently under execution in Amaravati, supporting the phased development of the state's institutional and governance precinct.Read more

09 Jul 2026

Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra signed a one-time settlement agreement in New Delhi resolving decades-old payment and cost-sharing issues linked to the Narmada Award and the Sardar Sarovar Project. The pact was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C R Patil, along with the chief ministers of all four states. The agreement addresses outstanding compensation and rehabilitation-related dues tied to submergence and land acquisition under the project.Read more

09 Jul 2026

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has advised the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to proactively disclose records relating to residential lift installations, including building plans, approvals, maps and associated documents, in the wider public interest. The advisory was issued in the past week while disposing of a show-cause proceeding against an MCD Public Information Officer (PIO) over delays in providing information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Information Commissioner Vinod Kumar Tiwari observed that records relating to lift installation permissions have recurring public relevance and should be placed in the public domain to improve transparency and reduce the need for individual RTI applications. The Commission accepted the PIO's explanation for the delay and decided against initiating penal action.Read more

09 Jul 2026

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reported 62 violations of pollution control norms across construction and demolition (C&D) sites, industrial units and diesel generator set operations in the National Capital Region (NCR) during inspections conducted between June 14 and June 30. The findings were reviewed during the Enforcement Task Force's 134th meeting held in the past week. Authorities carried out 173 inspections, including checks at C&D sites, industrial clusters and diesel generator installations. Following compliance verification, seven resumption orders were issued for construction sites, with two granted in Uttar Pradesh and five in Haryana. The CAQM said enforcement agencies had acted on all identified violations and reiterated the need for strict compliance with environmental regulations and stronger inter-agency coordination to improve air quality across the NCR.Read more

09 Jul 2026

The Centre is preparing a Model Own Source Revenue (OSR) Rules Framework to help states strengthen the financial independence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and improve local revenue mobilisation. The proposal was announced during a national workshop on implementing the Sixteenth Finance Commission's recommendations, which allocate INR 4.35 lakh crore to Rural Local Bodies between 2026-27 and 2030-31. Alongside enhanced fiscal devolution, the government has urged states to improve preparedness for performance-based grants, adopt digital governance platforms and build financially resilient panchayats capable of delivering more effective grassroots governance.Read more

Chennai News Desk

09 Jul 2026

• Real estate developers have urged the Tamil Nadu government to review planning restrictions imposed around the Pallikaranai Marsh after its designation as a Ramsar wetland.
• CREDAI Chennai has called for a scientific delineation of the marsh's influence zone, arguing that the current planning freeze has affected over one lakh patta landowners and stalled development across parts of South Chennai.
• The industry body estimates the restrictions could delay economic activity worth around INR 72,000 crore while impacting housing, infrastructure and employment.
• It has sought a balanced approach that protects the ecologically sensitive wetland without unnecessarily restricting legally owned private land.Read more