24 Jul 2025

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has installed real-time air-quality sensors at over 100 major construction sites to monitor dust pollution, specifically PM10 levels. Although these sensors frequently trigger alerts when pollution thresholds are breached, no penalties have been issued, as enforcement lies with the zonal estate department, which has yet to act. The Centre had supported AMC under the National Clean Air Programme after the city achieved a 40% drop in PM10 levels through greening, EV infrastructure, smart parking, and cleaner crematoriums. AMC also partnered with the Centre for Environment Education on awareness drives. Still, construction-related pollution remains poorly regulated despite the progress.Read more

23 Jul 2025

B L Kashyap & Sons Ltd. (BLK), a prominent Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firm, has secured a significant order valued at INR 910 crore (excluding GST) from BPTP Limited. This substantial contract involves the construction of civil structures for residential towers, associated non-tower areas, and crucial community infrastructure in Gurugram. The project, expected to span approximately 36 months, signals a renewed collaboration between the two companies. This reinforces trust in BLK's capabilities and its commitment to high-standard project delivery within Gurugram's dynamic real estate market.Read more

23 Jul 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has taken decisive action against unauthorised constructions in Belapur, following non-compliance with prior demolition notices. Structures owned by Suresh Dharma Koli, Balkrishna Dharma Koli, and Ashok Koli in Diwale village were razed under the MRTP Act. The operation, led by the encroachment department under senior civic officials, involved a full deployment of manpower and equipment. NMMC has indicated that such intensified action will continue to deter encroachments in future.Read more

23 Jul 2025

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has begun approving compounding maps under the new 2025 Model Building Construction and Zoning Bylaws. This move allows property owners to legalize previously unauthorized constructions by aligning them with updated regulations, avoiding penalties. Announced during a Janata Adalat by LDA Vice Chairperson Prathamesh Kumar, the initiative assigns zonal officers specific targets-75 to 220 approvals per zone-to expedite processing. The new rules also permit greater land coverage and a higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR), offering more design flexibility. This framework aims to streamline regularization and improve public welfare through transparent and efficient building compliance processes.Read more

23 Jul 2025

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken strong action against public space encroachments, penalising 4,890 individuals and contractors for leaving construction materials like sand and debris on footpaths and roads. The six-month campaign, led by Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, covered all ten city zones and collected INR 1.16 crore in fines-INR 93.16 lakh from individuals and INR 23.20 lakh from builders. Laxmi Nagar saw the most violations. Under civic rules, materials left in public areas must be cleared within 48 hours or face fines of INR 2,000 (residents) and INR 10,000 (builders). Additionally, over 7,000 were fined for blocking roads with temporary structures. The drive aims to reclaim safe, usable public spaces.Read more

23 Jul 2025

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made it mandatory for all future town planning schemes to reserve at least 5% of land for green spaces, with 1% specifically for Miyawaki forests. The initiative aims to boost biodiversity and align with WHO's recommended green cover of 9 sqm per person. Tree-cutting now requires planting 10 saplings per tree, with survival conditions and a refundable deposit of INR 5,000. New guidelines call for tree-lined footpaths, green road dividers, rain gardens, and rooftop parks. An Urban Greening Advisory Committee and ward-level Green Committees will oversee implementation. The policy tackles rising pollution and heat levels through sustainable urban afforestation.Read more

22 Jul 2025

Maharashtra's cabinet recently greenlit a INR 36,000 crore state guarantee to help the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) secure loans from international lenders. This move paves the way for Lines 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and a 3.3 km underground extension of Line 7 to glide ahead, with elevated and underground sections in play. While the state acts only as guarantor, MMRDA will manage full repayment, including interest. The guarantee ensures smooth tendering and shields against delays or cost overruns. Ultimately, this step drives the vision for a 300?km metro network aimed at de-congesting suburbs and linking key areas like the airport.Read more

22 Jul 2025

Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd has commissioned a 10 MW captive solar power plant at its Raipur facility in partnership with AMP Energy India. The plant will generate over 15 million units of clean electricity annually, supporting Texmaco's commitment to ESG goals and responsible manufacturing. Developed under India's Group Captive Open Access Policy, the project offers Texmaco cost savings of 30-40% on power while reducing grid dependency. This initiative marks a major step in the company's clean energy transition. Texmaco, a leading name in railway and infrastructure manufacturing since 1939, reinforces its role in India's industrial sustainability movement.Read more

22 Jul 2025

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has won its first Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) with a 30 MW / 120 MWh project awarded by NHPC for deployment in Kerala. This battery system, to be set up at a 220 kV substation, will provide four hours of backup power and support Kerala State Electricity Board's grid needs. Operating under a 12-year contract, the project will enhance grid stability and enable greater renewable integration. Part of NHPC's broader 125 MW / 500 MWh BESS plan, the initiative supports India's 500 GW non-fossil fuel goal for 2030. TPREL's total renewable capacity now stands at 10.9 GW.Read more

22 Jul 2025

The Rajasthan government has approved a funding of INR 95 crore as its contribution toward the construction of the Renukaji and Lakhwar dams in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand respectively, under the Yamuna Water Agreement. These dams, part of a broader initiative in the upper Yamuna basin, are expected to enhance year-round water availability and support drinking water and irrigation needs in districts such as Churu, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu. The total project cost, as fixed by the Yamuna River Board, is INR 11,320.46 crore, with Rajasthan's full share amounting to INR 215.66 crore.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Vishnusurya Projects and Infra Ltd has bagged an INR 103.07 crore contract from JWIL Infra Ltd for the execution of a pipeline project tied to a major desalination initiative near Chennai. The scope includes laying, testing, and commissioning pipelines, along with civil construction, for a 400 MLD desalination plant at Perur. The project, awarded to JWIL Infra by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, aims to supply potable water to nearly 22.67 lakh residents across Tambaram and 20 surrounding panchayats.Read more

21 Jul 2025

L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd, a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, will develop India's largest green hydrogen plant at IOCL's Panipat Refinery in Haryana. Operating under a build-own-operate model, the facility will supply 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually for 25 years, advancing India's National Green Hydrogen Mission. The project will use high-pressure alkaline electrolysers manufactured at L&T's Hazira facility, supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This marks a significant milestone in India's clean energy journey and underscores L&T's leadership in large-scale energy transition projects, setting the stage for broader green hydrogen adoption across key industrial sectors.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Indian government now requires all national highway projects exceeding INR 300 crore to use precast concrete materials, aiming to speed up construction and improve quality. Announced under the new National Highways Precast Concrete Policy by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the move targets reduced pollution, minimized traffic disruptions, and fewer delays-especially in urban areas. Precast components, manufactured off-site and assembled on location, will initially be used for non-critical elements, easing the sector into adoption. While this shift may raise project costs, it is expected to streamline timelines and enhance overall efficiency in national highway construction.Read more

21 Jul 2025

ACES India, a subsidiary of Saudi-based ACES, has signed a 13-year strategic agreement with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to roll out high-speed 4G and 5G mobile infrastructure across 62 metro stations under Phase 1 and 2 of Namma Metro. Using a neutral host model, ACES will provide seamless mobile connectivity for over 300 million annual commuters. The partnership supports Digital India and smart mobility goals by enabling multi-operator access, reducing network duplication, and accelerating rollout timelines. ACES has already worked on major telecom infrastructure projects across India, reinforcing its commitment to building future-ready digital frameworks in public spaces.Read more

21 Jul 2025

STL (Sterlite Technologies Ltd.), a global leader in optical and digital solutions, has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable manufacturing by collaborating with Hygenco to establish Maharashtra's first green hydrogen and green oxygen production facility for optical fibre. Located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, this pioneering project will supply green hydrogen and oxygen to STL's glass preform manufacturing unit. The initiative positions STL as one of the world's first optical fibre manufacturers to fully deploy green hydrogen in its production processes, marking a crucial step towards its ambitious Net Zero by 2030 goal and contributing to India's broader decarbonization efforts.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Navi Mumbai has been honoured with entry into the prestigious 'Super Swachh League' under Swachh Survekshan 2024, recognising cities that ranked in the top three at least twice over the past three years. It is the only city from Maharashtra with a population over 10 lakh to receive this recognition. The city also retained its 'Seven Star' garbage-free rating and top-tier 'Water Plus' certification. Navi Mumbai's smart, decentralised waste management system, inclusive workforce, and eco-friendly initiatives have set national benchmarks. The award was accepted by civic leaders and sanitation workers in New Delhi, marking a proud moment for the city and state.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated key infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-affected Bastar division, aiming to boost connectivity and security. Targeting districts like Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur, and Dantewada, the BRO will build 13 roads covering 683 km and 11 bridges spanning over 6,211 metres. These developments are vital for improving access for security forces and delivering essential services to isolated communities. In partnership with the Chhattisgarh government, the BRO seeks to bridge decades of neglect and help integrate these regions into the national framework, fostering long-term development and stability in historically underserved areas.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Ahmedabad's urban lakes are under threat, as outdated planning schemes by AUDA have led to the loss of significant waterbody areas. Early town planning models applied uniform land deductions even on lake beds, shrinking lakes in areas like Bopal, Vastrapur, Thaltej, and Memnagar. Vastrapur Lake alone lost over 22,000 sq m. Merged land parcels and unclear boundaries have triggered ownership disputes and complicated restoration. Despite AMC's updated planning norms, older legally binding maps have caused irreversible damage. A Gujarat government report noted a 46% decline in lake areas due to construction and encroachment. The National Green Tribunal has launched formal proceedings to address the crisis.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has released its third master plan, introducing higher Floor Space Index (FSI) allowances near transport corridors to promote vertical, transit-oriented development. This move aims to curb urban sprawl and support compact, sustainable growth across the newly expanded Chennai Metropolitan Area. The plan includes a phased rollout of FSI norms, tied to infrastructure upgrades in roads, water, sewage, and public transit. Built on extensive stakeholder input, it emphasises inclusivity, accountability, and performance monitoring. Key features include TOD zones, walkable neighbourhoods, blue-green infrastructure, and satellite town development-signalling a bold shift toward smarter urban planning and climate resilience.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) concluded its final public consultations for the Draft Master Plan-2041 after extensive stakeholder engagement across Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Vizianagaram. Concerns over potential land-use favoritism prompted a deadline extension and the formation of a technical committee to review feedback. Spanning 6,700 sq km, the plan includes key infrastructure like Vizag Metro, Bhogapuram Airport, and the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. It also proposes transit-oriented zones, slum upgrades, and smart infrastructure. Focused on sustainable, inclusive development, the plan aims to balance growth with environmental protection and decentralised urban expansion across the fast-growing coastal region.Read more