22 Feb 2026

Data obtained through a Right to Information application has shown that more than 83,000 trees were felled in Uttarakhand over the past five years for highway construction works. Most of the tree loss occurred on major national highway stretches executed by the National Highways Authority of India. While authorities have stated that compensatory plantations were carried out, detailed project-wise plantation data was not available in several cases. The disclosures have renewed focus on how environmental safeguards are implemented during large infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Jammu & Kashmir government is taking steps to simplify the process for obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) for building approvals within municipal areas. The Social Welfare Minister informed the Assembly that under the J-K Unified Building Bylaws 2021, multiple department clearances are currently required, causing delays. The Town Planning Organisation in Kashmir, with only three town planners for 40 local bodies, is being reorganised to establish a district cadre and support master plan implementation. Authorities will ensure NOCs are issued in a time-bound manner while considering legislative suggestions to reduce delays.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The planned runway expansion at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport continues to face delays due to pending land acquisition and defence clearances. Around 22 acres are required to meet mandatory runway end safety area norms, with a key portion owned by a defence public sector unit. Despite multiple discussions between state authorities and the Union government, approvals are still awaited. The project is further complicated by the need to realign a nearby road and relocate a fire station, pushing the timeline back.Read more

Pune News Desk

22 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra government has directed the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to prepare a draft structure plan for the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), aiming to establish a strategic framework for future urbanisation, infrastructure and public utilities. The move follows legislative changes introduced in the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act that replace detailed development plans with broader structure planning at the regional level. The draft will focus on high-level regional mobility corridors, road hierarchies, essential services and identification of environmentally sensitive areas, without delving into plot-specific land use zoning. Officials said the plan is expected to be completed within six months and will form the basis for subsequent detailed planning efforts to accommodate anticipated population growth and spill-over from core cities such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised that the structure plan will underpin coordinated infrastructure and development projects across the metropolitan region.Read more

Gurugram News Desk

22 Feb 2026

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Gurugram has recently conducted an enforcement drive to dismantle illegal colonies and unauthorised structures across multiple locations after receiving public complaints. The operation, carried out over several days, saw foundation-level constructions, boundary walls and internal roads removed in areas including Sadhrana, Bohra Kalan, Jamalpur and Sector 89, where work was halted at early stages to discourage further unauthorised development. In addition to clearing encroachments on agricultural and revenue land, an unapproved site office within a licensed residential colony was also demolished. Police personnel supported the enforcement teams to maintain order during the proceedings. Officials stressed that sustained action will continue to curb unplanned expansion and urged prospective buyers to verify project licences before investing, as part of efforts to protect homebuyers and uphold urban planning norms.Read more

21 Feb 2026

Tamil Nadu's interim budget has set out the State government's near-term economic and industrial priorities, with a clear focus on manufacturing and infrastructure-led growth. A key announcement is the plan to introduce a dedicated shipbuilding policy aimed at attracting large investments and strengthening the maritime ecosystem. The budget also earmarks significant funds for industrial development while addressing fiscal pressures faced by the State. Alongside industry, allocations continue for social sectors, reflecting the government's attempt to balance growth, welfare spending, and financial discipline during an election year.Read more

Noida News Desk

21 Feb 2026

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation will redraw the detailed project report for the Greater Noida West metro corridor, reducing Phase 1 to just four stations instead of the 11 originally proposed, local authorities said earlier this week. The decision follows recent approval of the Aqua Line extension from Botanical Garden to Sector 142 by the Union Cabinet, prompting a reassessment of priorities and connectivity strategies. Under the revised plan, the first phase will terminate at Greater Noida Sector 4 (Gaur Chowk) with intermediate stops including Sector 61 (interchange with Delhi Metro), Sector 70 and Sector 123, offering a more focused initial stretch for commuters. The remainder of the corridor may be developed later by NMRC or integrated into future rapid transit projects, and the fresh DPR will be submitted to government bodies for clearances. The adjustment underscores ongoing planning efforts to synchronise metro expansion with broader regional transport networks and commuter demand in Noida and Greater Noida.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Adani Group has outlined a plan to invest USD 100 billion, equivalent to about INR 8.4 lakh crore, to build renewable energy-powered data centres designed for artificial intelligence across India by 2035. The programme aims to expand its data centre capacity from 2 GW to 5 GW and is expected to trigger additional investments of around USD 150 billion in allied infrastructure. The initiative will rely on large-scale renewable power, support domestic AI innovation, and strengthen India's data and computing backbone.Read more

Lucknow News Desk

21 Feb 2026

The Lucknow Metro has introduced a QR code-based ticketing system that allows commuters to book metro tickets through a mobile app and at stations, aiming to simplify travel and reduce queues. Launched at Hazratganj Metro Station by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) Managing Director, the system enables passengers to book tickets via the official Lucknow Metro Official mobile application on Android and iOS, or obtain printed QR tickets at ticket vending machines (TVMs) and counters across all stations. Once booked, tickets can be scanned at Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates marked with yellow strips for entry and exit. Additional features include UPI payment support at QR-enabled machines, while traditional token services remain available on other TVMs. Officials described the initiative as a step toward digital, faster and more convenient urban travel.Read more

Kochi News Desk

21 Feb 2026

France's CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping company, is set to formalise a shipbuilding contract with India's Cochin Shipyard Ltd for six liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessels worth about USD 300 million, marking the first time a global liner has placed such an order in India. Each vessel will have a capacity of about 1,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and be built with technical cooperation from a Korean partner. The deal follows an earlier Letter of Intent and comes amid government support for specialised shipbuilding.Read more