20 Mar 2025

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is facing delays in Phase II of the Kochi Metro, a 11.2 km Pink Line extending from JLN Stadium to Kakkanad, due to procedural hurdles in securing a INR 914 crore loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Kerala government has yet to recommend the loan to the central government, delaying fund disbursement. Despite work starting in July 2024, financial constraints are slowing progress. Similar issues have affected metro projects in Pune and Bengaluru. Resolving the funding impasse is critical to ensuring timely completion and enhancing urban mobility in Kochi.Read more

19 Mar 2025

The Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) is nearing the completion of two key features: a 7.5-kilometre-long promenade and a 550-metre vehicular underpass, both expected to open ahead of this year's monsoon. Civic authorities confirmed that the INR 13,000-crore project, extending from Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL), is in its final stages. The promenade, inspired by Hong Kong's design, will offer jogging tracks, seating areas, and lush green spaces. Meanwhile, the vehicular underpass will connect Dadar and Prabhadevi to the coastal road, easing traffic congestion and offering quicker access to western suburbs and southern Mumbai.Read more

19 Mar 2025

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the introduction of urban freight services on its network, aiming to transport packages across Delhi-NCR during non-peak hours. The initiative, in partnership with logistics company Blue Dart, is designed to facilitate faster movement of time-sensitive shipments by utilising the last coaches of the first few trains each day. Inspired by a similar pilot project on the Madrid Metro, DMRC intends to adopt a hybrid model combining passenger and freight transportation. The project seeks to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce road congestion, and promote environmentally sustainable logistics.Read more

Vriti Gothi

19 Mar 2025

The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, a key infrastructure project, is set to boost connectivity and economic growth across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Spanning 262 km, the expressway will cut travel time between the two cities from six hours to three. While progress is strong in Karnataka, construction delays in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have pushed the completion deadline to June 2026. Once operational, the expressway will enhance logistics efficiency, drive real estate development in areas like Hoskote and Sriperumbudur, and strengthen industrial links. Land values along the corridor are rising, positioning the route as a future growth hub.Read more

18 Mar 2025

Amitabh Bachchan has made another major real estate investment in Ayodhya, acquiring a 54,454 sq. ft. plot through the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Trust. This follows his earlier INR 4.54 crore purchase in Haveli Avadh. While the first property near the Ram Mandir is speculated to be residential, the latest acquisition may serve a charitable purpose. Ayodhya has become a prime investment destination, attracting big names like The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL), which has invested INR 1,200 crore. Bachchan's growing real estate portfolio, including recent high-value acquisitions in Mumbai, highlights a trend of celebrity investments in prime locations.Read more

18 Mar 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has cleared 59 infrastructure projects worth INR 37,702 crore for Amaravati's development, with work set to begin after Cabinet approval which is expected to come this week. An additional INR 16,871 crore in tenders will soon be invited, bringing the total investment to INR 64,000 crore. Key funding sources include INR 11,000 crore from HUDCO, INR 5,900 crore from the World Bank, and INR 5,000 crore from Germany's KfW bank. The projects focus on roads, bridges, and urban infrastructure, positioning Amaravati as a climate-resilient, inclusive capital with sustainable growth and employment opportunities for 20,000 people.Read more

18 Mar 2025

The National Housing Bank (NHB) released its 2024 Report on Trend and Progress of Housing in India, analyzing house prices, housing finance, and government initiatives. Housing loans grew by 14%, reaching INR 33.53 lakh crore, with the mid-income group (MIG) holding 44% of loans. The Housing Price Index rose 6.8% year-on-year. Key government programs like PMAY-G, PMAY-U, and UIDF were highlighted. Challenges include regional credit disparities and climate risks, while tech-driven solutions offer growth opportunities. Industry leaders foresee strong demand for quality, well-connected homes, driven by urbanization, policy support, and evolving buyer preferences.Read more

18 Mar 2025

The Tamil Nadu budget for 2025-26 underscores infrastructure as a key growth catalyst, committing substantial funds to roads, highways, metro rail, and industrial corridors. Among major initiatives are significant road upgrades across urban and rural bodies, highway and port enhancements, and new metro projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, pending central approvals. A landmark proposal is the creation of a 2,000-acre 'Global City' near Chennai, aimed at positioning Tamil Nadu as a modern economic powerhouse. Additional investments target water infrastructure upgrades and industrial corridor developments, reaffirming the state's push to strengthen urban infrastructure and attract fresh investments.Read more

17 Mar 2025

Sujata Agarwal, director of 9 Sky View Residences Pvt Ltd, has purchased three luxurious apartments in Mumbai's Juhu locality for a total cost exceeding INR 104 crore, inclusive of taxes. The properties are situated within the upscale Rustomjee Elements project, developed by Keystone Realtors. The three apartments, located on the 14th and 15th floors, collectively span over 12,333 sq ft (RERA carpet area) and were bought at an average rate of INR 83,769 per sq ft. The transaction was finalised earlier this week, with a total stamp duty of over INR 5 crore and an additional registration fee. The deal includes eight car parking spaces and highlights the continued demand for premium real estate in Juhu, a prime area favoured by Bollywood celebrities.Read more

17 Mar 2025

The Airoli-Katai Naka Road project, aimed at improving connectivity between Airoli, Kalyan, Dombivli, Ambernath, and Badlapur, is progressing swiftly. Phase I, a 3.43-km stretch with a 0.935-km elevated road and twin tunnels (1.68 km each), is 91.5% complete. Phase II, a 2.57-km elevated link from Airoli Bridge to Thane-Belapur Road, is 82% complete, with a projected finish by late 2025, while Phase I will conclude by early 2026. Phase III, a 6.3-km elevated road, will connect NH 4 to Katai Naka. Once completed, the project will reduce travel time by 30 minutes and ease congestion for daily commuters in the region.Read more