21 Jul 2025

To manage Jaipur's rapid urban expansion, the Rajasthan government has begun feasibility studies for developing satellite towns in Bassi, Bagru, Chomu, and Kotputli. These towns, within 20-40 km of the capital, are being considered for high-tech township models inspired by Gujarat and Hyderabad. A multinational firm is assisting with planning, and Jaipur Metro extensions are being explored to ensure strong connectivity. The new Township Policy 2025 mandates green zones, public utilities, and housing for workers to promote sustainable, inclusive growth. These efforts aim to decentralize Jaipur's population, reduce congestion, and encourage private investment through simplified, eco-conscious urban planning frameworks.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Juniper Green Energy, through its subsidiary Juniper Green Cosmic, has inked a significant 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with state-owned NHPC. The agreement, signed recently, is for the development of a 250 megawatt Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) project in Haryana. This project, which integrates solar, wind, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), is crucial for providing assured, round-the-clock green power. It underscores Juniper Green Energy's growing footprint in the renewable sector and its contribution to India's goals for a stable and sustainable energy supply.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd (PIL) and Crown LNG Holdings Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish vital pipeline connectivity in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. This agreement will link Crown LNG's proposed 7.2 million tonnes per year regasification terminal with PIL's extensive existing pipeline network, enhancing gas transportation capabilities across India. The collaboration aims to efficiently evacuate imported natural gas to key demand centers, signifying a strategic step to boost gas infrastructure and utilization in the country. The terminal construction is slated to commence next year.Read more

20 Jul 2025

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with PS Group Realty for the redevelopment and beautification of Nimtalla Immersion Ghat. This partnership, part of PS Group's corporate social responsibility efforts, is aimed at enhancing the ghat's cultural, spiritual, and community value. SMPK will assist with utilities and necessary clearances during the redevelopment, and will take on maintenance responsibilities once the work is completed. The initiative mirrors a recent agreement with the Adani Group for Kumartoli Ghat, reflecting growing public-private interest in revitalising Kolkata's historic riverfronts.Read more

20 Jul 2025

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari to seek immediate assistance for repairing and reconstructing roads damaged by flash floods. He highlighted the delays in National Highway projects, advocated for tunnelling in strategic areas, and pushed for inclusion of roads under the PM Gati Shakti Yojana. Sukhu also requested approval for additional ropeway projects to address traffic concerns. Separately, he briefed Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah about infrastructure losses exceeding INR 1,000 crore due to monsoon-triggered disasters, with total damages since 2023 amounting to nearly INR 21,000 crore.Read more

20 Jul 2025

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved a significant hike in NTPC's investment autonomy, allowing the power PSU to invest up to INR 20,000 crore in renewable energy projects. This move, nearly tripling the earlier cap of INR 7,500 crore, will fast-track NTPC's efforts to add 60 GW of green energy capacity by 2032. The enhanced delegation will also empower its subsidiary NGEL to scale up projects, generate employment, and support India's broader goal of reaching 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.Read more

20 Jul 2025

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah recently led a high-level review of the Delhi Master Plan 2041, bringing together key officials including Delhi CM Smt Rekha Gupta and Union Housing Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar. The meeting focused on finalising the city's long-term development strategy, which aims to make Delhi more inclusive, green, and well-connected. Key issues discussed included slum redevelopment, regularising unauthorised colonies, managing Yamuna floodplains, and expanding public transport. The draft plan, submitted in April 2023, still awaits central notification. Once cleared, it's expected to guide structured urban growth and reshape how Delhi evolves over the next two decades.Read more

19 Jul 2025

Maharashtra's Chief Minister has directed swift clearance of the long-stalled Maan-Mhalunge town planning (TP) scheme, a flagship part of PMRDA's urban masterplan. Proposed in 2018 as a model "farmer-inclusive" initiative, the scheme lets landowners retain 50% of developed plots, avoiding full acquisition. Though four of six planned TP schemes in Hinjewadi have state clearance, final approvals remain pending. Elections and administrative delays have stalled progress and funding use, despite INR 150 crore in allocated support. Additional schemes in Vadachiwadi, Handewadi, Holkarwadi, and Manjari Khurd-Kolwadi are also in limbo. The government is expected to expedite approvals to align with the proposed Pune ring road.Read more

19 Jul 2025

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed mandatory installation of automatic weather stations (AWS) at wind and solar plants of 50 MW or above. This move aims to enhance grid reliability and efficiency of green energy projects. The directive, issued on July 7, seeks to optimize renewable energy generation and improve predictability, addressing issues like inaccurate weather forecasts that lead to financial penalties. Guidelines specify AWS placement, parameters, and data transmission. All renewable energy implementing agencies are directed to include this requirement in bid documents.Read more

18 Jul 2025

Ludhiana has launched a long-delayed construction and demolition (C&D) waste-processing plant in Dhandhari, with a capacity to handle 100 tonnes of debris daily. Originally budgeted at INR 2.69 crore, the cost swelled to INR 7.3 crore due to foundational work on a former dumpsite, with an additional INR 2.2 crore spent on machinery. This facility, funded under Swachh Bharat and Smart City missions, converts debris into tiles, bricks, and blocks. Despite past struggles with underutilised civic projects, officials hope the plant will curb illegal dumping and ease landfill pressure provided residents and contractors comply.Read more

18 Jul 2025

Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) Mayor Dipak Majumder yesterday reviewed development work at the Lake Chowmuhani Bazaar, a long-standing and unique vegetable market in Agartala. The Mayor promised modern facilities and technological integrations as part of a broader urban upgrade initiative. This project aims to transform the historic market into a well-planned space, ensuring dignity and ease of business for its small-scale vendors. The modernization is part of a larger city master plan to enhance urban living and address past challenges like encroachments, aiming for sustainable market development and economic empowerment for local traders.Read more

18 Jul 2025

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N Chandrababu Naidu today met with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking substantial central funding to bolster sports infrastructure across the state. The Chief Minister requested over INR 538 crore for stadium development and an additional INR 25 crore to organize the Khelo India Martial Arts Games this year. Emphasizing the state's ambitious new sports policy, Naidu outlined plans for world-class training centers and sought expedited completion of existing projects, underscoring Andhra Pradesh's vision to emerge as a national sports hub.Read more

18 Jul 2025

Reliance Infrastructure's board has given its nod to raise up to INR 9,000 crore through a mix of equity and debt instruments. This includes a proposed INR 6,000 crore via equity shares or equity-linked instruments through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), follow-on public offer, or a combination of both. Additionally, the board approved the issuance of redeemable non-convertible debentures of up to INR 3,000 crore through private placement or other methods. These plans remain subject to statutory and regulatory approvals.Read more

18 Jul 2025

PCMC has wrapped up public consultations on its revised development plan (DP) for the city's old limits, receiving a record 49,000 objections and suggestions. This marks the first major update since 1995, outlining new zoning rules, land use, and transit routes. The proposed High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) sparked major protests, with residents in areas like Rahatni and Tathawade opposing routes cutting through homes and community spaces. Other flashpoints included a now-withdrawn municipal abattoir near Alandi and TP schemes in Chikhali and Kudalwadi. A technical committee will now review all objections before public hearings are held and the plan is finalised.Read more

18 Jul 2025

With high-rise living on the rise in NCR, Noida's fire department is upgrading its systems for better emergency response. A major boost comes from the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), recently tested at the 74-storey Supertech Supernova. Unlike conventional tenders, CAFS can reach up to 100 storeys and uses foam to fight fires more efficiently. At a recent expo, new gear like heat-resistant suits and air-purifying helmets was showcased. UP's MSME Minister announced district-level disaster units and a new digital portal for compliance checks. Backed by INR 30 crore each, Noida and Greater Noida are investing in audits, awareness drives, and robotic fire vehicles.Read more

18 Jul 2025

Indian Railways plans to install CCTV cameras in over 7,400 passenger coaches and 15,000 locomotives to enhance safety. The high-end cameras will provide clear footage at 100 kmph and in low light. Each coach will have four cameras, and locomotives will have six CCTVs and two microphones. Tenders were floated on July 11, with installation by Northern Railway workshops. This initiative, following a successful trial run, aims to deter miscreants, protect passenger privacy, and explore future AI integration for security.Read more

17 Jul 2025

India's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past three fiscal years, with public stations seeing a five-fold increase due to strong government support. However, despite this rapid growth, a recent report from CareEdge Ratings reveals a persistent gap: there is currently only one public charging station for every 235 electric vehicles on the road. This situation clearly highlights an urgent need for faster and more balanced development of charging facilities nationwide to match the soaring adoption of EVs and fully support the country's transition to electric mobility.Read more

17 Jul 2025

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced stringent measures against consultancy firms delivering substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for national highway and tunnel projects. Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari recently stated that consultants failing to adhere to technical and procedural standards would now be penalised. A rating system has been introduced to assess DPR quality, with provisions to incentivise high-performing firms. He also underscored the misalignment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending and pushed for a targeted, audited approach to ensure funds are utilised for the benefit of economically and socially marginalised populations across sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare.Read more

17 Jul 2025

The Chhattisgarh government has approved the formation of a State Capital Region Authority (SCRA) to oversee the coordinated growth of the Raipur Metropolitan Region. The newly constituted authority will manage infrastructure expansion, land use planning, and regional governance across multiple jurisdictions. It aims to build on the fiscal success of Nava Raipur India's first debt-free modern planned city and support the state's broader economic ambitions. This move follows similar development models in states like Uttar Pradesh and comes at a time when the government is pursuing aggressive investment plans, including semiconductor manufacturing, AI data centres, and lithium block auctions.Read more

17 Jul 2025

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has approved INR 212 crore for a new two-lane bridge over the Mahisagar river near Mujpur, Padra taluka. This decision comes five days after the collapse of a four-decade-old bridge at the same site, which claimed 20 lives on July 9. The new bridge, with an 18-month deadline, will be built parallel to the old one. The state government also distributed INR 62 lakh in financial aid to affected families, including INR 4 lakh for each of the 15 deceased. Search operations continue for one missing person.Read more