09 Sep 2025

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has committed up to USD 60 million (about INR 498 crore) to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) through rupee-denominated non-convertible debentures. This marks IFC's first direct municipal financing in India without a sovereign guarantee. The investment will support the Madhurawada Sewerage System Project, with a total cost of INR 553 crore, combining contributions from the central government and GVMC. The initiative is expected to improve sanitation, protect the coastline, and strengthen municipal creditworthiness.Read more

09 Sep 2025

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved a Bill to create a legal framework for town planning schemes, aiming to guide structured urban growth across the state. This step comes amid growing urbanisation in 47 notified urban centres that need organised development. The Cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of four new fire stations and 68 posts to improve emergency response services. Additionally, the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Property Tax Management Rule, 2025, was approved to enhance fiscal autonomy and property tax collection in municipal areas, supporting financially self-reliant urban local bodies.Read more

09 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is planning to introduce 10 new water transport routes in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), including four connecting the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Kochi Water Metro has been appointed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new routes. The study will include passenger surveys, travel demand analysis, and terminal planning. The new routes aim to improve commuting, reduce road congestion, and enhance water-based transport options. The DPR will also support upgrades on 21 existing MMR ferry routes.Read more

09 Sep 2025

The foundation stone for Gurugram Metro's first phase was laid this past week by Haryana's Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini and Union Urban Development Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar. The project, estimated at INR 5,600 crore, will stretch 28.5 km, linking Millennium City Centre with Sector 101 through 13 stations. Leaders highlighted its role in reducing congestion, boosting connectivity across NCR, and driving real estate growth, with industry voices pointing to significant opportunities along the Dwarka Expressway, SPR, and Sohna Corridor.Read more

09 Sep 2025

Vikram Solar has secured a 336 MW module supply order from L&T Construction for the Khavda solar project, strengthening its role in India's solar energy expansion. The order involves Hypersol G12R modules that offer high bifaciality, improved temperature performance, and low degradation, making solar power more affordable. Earlier in the year, the company also supplied 326 MW of modules to GIPCL for the same region. With a 4.5 GW production capacity and operations in 39 countries, Vikram Solar continues to lead in efficient solar module manufacturing in India.Read more

08 Sep 2025

The Odisha government has decided to distribute work orders for 50,000 houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, marking the latest step in its effort to provide permanent housing to the poorest households in the state. The scheme, launched by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi earlier this year in Kalahandi, focuses on families living in extreme poverty, persons with disabilities, individuals affected by leprosy, and those without proper shelter in rural areas. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik stated that the programme was designed to reach groups that often fall outside the coverage of other housing schemes.Read more

08 Sep 2025

The Karnataka government has announced Greater Bengaluru Innovation and Tech City (GBIT), an AI-driven township planned in Bidadi, about 30 kilometres from Bengaluru. The township is designed as a self-sustaining urban hub under a work-live-play model, featuring housing, schools, hospitals, entertainment centres, AI-enabled civic services, and an international cricket stadium. With strong road, rail, and metro connectivity, the project also focuses on sustainability with zero-carbon, zero-waste, and zero-traffic goals. Farmers and landowners will be development partners through fair compensation or developed plots. The project revives a proposal first discussed nearly two decades ago.Read more

07 Sep 2025

The Nashik Municipal Corporation has proposed an ADB loan of INR 1,000 crore to strengthen the city's infrastructure ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. It builds on a broader INR 15,000 crore plan submitted to the state government, of which INR 3,270 crore has already been approved. The loan will be backed by the state and directed toward a complete sewage network, flood control, and stormwater drainage. The civic body also plans to raise INR 400 crore through municipal and green bonds. Earlier rounds of funding, motivations, and infrastructure pressures add deeper context to these preparations.Read more

07 Sep 2025

Mizoram is set to be fully connected to India's railway network with the 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang broad-gauge line, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2025. Built at a cost of INR 5,021 crore, the line will link Sairang, 20 km from Aizawl, with Silchar in Assam, integrating Mizoram with Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. The project includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and the 114-metre-high Krung Bridge, showcasing complex engineering in tough terrain. The new route will cut travel time for essential goods from 10 hours by road to about three hours, easing costs and improving connectivity for the state.Read more

07 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra cabinet has cleared BEST's plan to seek INR 3,400 crore from the Centre to modernize and strengthen Mumbai's electricity network. The proposal, valued at INR 3,346.29 crore, will be submitted through Power Finance Corporation under the Reforms-Based and Results-Linked Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The project aims to cut Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, bridge the ACS-ARR gap, and deliver 24x7 affordable power. Earlier approvals in 2022 had sanctioned INR 1,649 crore for prepaid smart metering and loss-reduction works, now underway. The new funding is expected to boost operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and reliable electricity access for Mumbai consumers.Read more

07 Sep 2025

Adani Power has raised its thermal capacity expansion target to 41 GW by 2032, the largest plan announced by a private player in India's power sector. The revised goal, up from 30 GW earlier, adds 11 GW and supports the government's push to expand thermal capacity by 80 GW by FY32. The new addition, requiring INR 1.8 lakh crore investment, will be largely funded through internal accruals, with INR 1.12 lakh crore expected to be available for capex over six years. Adani has already placed advance BTG equipment orders for 23,720 MW, giving it a competitive edge. Its current portfolio stands at 18,150 MW across six states.Read more

06 Sep 2025

European prosecutors have initiated an inquiry into the 1.9 billion euro (USD 2.12 billion) Great Sea Interconnector project connecting Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Developed by Greek operator IPTO, the project aims to link European and Cypriot transmission networks and later extend to Israel. It has faced repeated delays, raising questions about its cost and viability. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the investigation into possible criminal offenses but noted no specific targets have been identified. Upon completion, the cable is expected to be both the world's longest and deepest high-voltage subsea link.Read more

06 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra government has cleared the INR 6,500-crore New Nagpur project, aimed at setting up a hi-tech business and finance hub in Hingna taluka. Spread across 692 hectares in Godhni and Ladgaon, it will feature an International Business and Finance Centre and is being implemented by the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) with NBCC (India) Ltd as consultant. Of the total outlay, INR 3,000 crore will be used for land acquisition and INR 3,500 crore for Phase I development, funded by a HUDCO loan backed by the state government.Read more

06 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra cabinet, led by Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, approved an extensive set of infrastructure, welfare and policy measures in its recent meeting. Key clearances included new metro corridors across Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, suburban rail expansion, and the creation of an international business hub in Nagpur. Major investments were also sanctioned for roads, rail corridors, and the Bombay High Court complex. Additionally, decisions on enhanced financial aid for disabled beneficiaries, revised energy policies and new tribal education schemes were finalised.Read more

06 Sep 2025

The Bombay High Court has permitted the Maharashtra government to begin urgent repairs on the 26-kilometre Chinchoti-Kaman-Anjur-Mankoli road that connects Thane and Palghar to Bhiwandi's warehousing hub. The road's condition had worsened severely, causing accidents and traffic disruptions, while arbitration with the toll operator remained unresolved. Technical reports showed only a fraction of the required work had been completed. Growing protests from local groups and commuters added to the pressure, leading the court to allow the state to intervene and carry out repairs until a long-term solution is finalised.Read more

06 Sep 2025

The Coimbatore metro, a forty-kilometre project estimated at INR 10,740 crore, is in the final stage of preparing its Land Plan Schedule. CMRL has completed primary mapping and submitted it for approval, while secondary planning to identify properties and land requirements is underway. Asset valuation and verification will follow, expected to conclude within two months. An urgent plan for a 1.4 km stretch has revised road width to thirty metres, requiring private and government land. Technical surveys have been validated, and studies on a possible double-decker line on Avinashi Road are ongoing.Read more

05 Sep 2025

Morocco is setting up judicial committees inside stadiums to quickly handle fan-related offences during the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Justice reforms include updates to penal and family codes, alternative penalties, multilingual judicial counters, and cooperation agreements with co-host nations. Alcohol consumption rules for fan zones are under review, and specialized judge training and mediation services will ease court workloads. The preparations complement infrastructure upgrades aimed at managing an expected increase in international visitors.Read more

05 Sep 2025

Karnataka has attracted over INR 12 lakh crore in new investments from 2021-22 to 2024-25, driven by a supportive investment climate, strategic policies, and a strong talent ecosystem. The state leads in innovation, IT, aerospace, and machine tools exports while hosting a thriving MSME and startup ecosystem, including 45 unicorns. Tourism and agriculture sectors show growth potential, with recommendations for improved infrastructure, community involvement, and financial support for long-term sustainability. The study underscores Karnataka's strategic position as a hub for investment, innovation, and economic growth.Read more

04 Sep 2025

The Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry held a consultation workshop earlier this week, chaired by Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, to deliberate on innovative policy measures aimed at improving urban connectivity. The discussions focused on building ring roads, bypasses, and elevated corridors to reduce congestion on National Highways passing through growing cities. Officials and dignitaries also considered sustainable financing models, state participation, and amendments to existing laws for smoother land acquisition and project execution.Read more

04 Sep 2025

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced a large township project called Varun Vihar, spread over 5,600 acres along the Agra Expressway. The plan includes a 300-acre logistics park with direct connectivity to the expressway and Kisanpath, more than 15,000 residential, commercial, and group-housing plots, and supporting facilities such as an inter-state bus terminal, an international-standard golf course, and a central park. Nearly 800 acres have been earmarked for green belts and water bodies. The project aims to create a balanced township with housing, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.Read more