05 Mar 2026

The Union Ministry of Railways has informed the Indian Parliament that land acquisition delays are impeding the progress of five proposed new railway line projects in Karnataka, officials said in the past week. The stalled alignments which include key regional connectors such as the Kadur Chikmagalur, Hubballi Belagavi and Gadag Wadi corridors face protracted acquisition processes, litigation and coordination challenges with state authorities and landowners. The ministry noted that while detailed project reports and surveys for these lines have been completed, progress on ground has been largely stalled due to pending possession of required parcels. Railways expressed commitment to resolving bottlenecks and advancing projects once land is made available, highlighting that acquisition delays remain a major constraint on expanding the state's rail network and unlocking associated economic and mobility benefits.Read more

05 Mar 2026

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has unveiled a major upgrade of security arrangements at railway stations nationwide with the deployment of Smart Check II shoe-based screening devices, 250 high-tech CCTV systems and aerial surveillance drones, officials said in the past week. The initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen passenger safety and crime deterrence across busy hubs and suburban networks. RPF Director General Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said that the technology enhancements will complement existing foot patrols, explosive detection units and canine squads, while artificial intelligence-assisted video analytics will support real-time monitoring and alerting. The roll-out will prioritise high-footfall stations and junctions, with phased implementation across the rest of the zonal network to improve threat detection, incident response and overall passenger confidence in rail security.Read more

05 Mar 2026

The first phase of the Indore Pithampur Economic Corridor project a key infrastructure initiative aimed at reinforcing central India's manufacturing and industrial hub is scheduled to commence with an estimated investment of over INR 250 crore, officials said in the past week. The corridor, spanning 19.60 km between Indore and the industrial belt of Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, forms part of a larger INR 2,500 crore development plan intended to enhance industrial infrastructure, logistics connectivity and utility services in one of the country's most significant production clusters. Phase I will focus on road network upgrades, drainage systems and electricity infrastructure, including improved linkages to the Super Corridor. The project is expected to streamline freight movement, reduce travel time and attract new industrial and commercial investment, further consolidating the region's position as a central Indian manufacturing node.Read more

Delhi News Desk

05 Mar 2026

Delhi is poised to approve its long-awaited Master Plan 2041, which will replace the lapsed Master Plan 2021 and provide a roadmap for the capital's growth over the next twenty years. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted that the plan will clarify land use, housing, infrastructure, and environmental strategies, addressing delays in major projects. Significant funds have been allocated to roads, metro expansion, schools, parks, and village development. The plan also focuses on cleaner urban spaces, improved governance, and inclusive development, aiming to integrate rural areas and enhance overall city planning.Read more

Kolkata News Desk

05 Mar 2026

The Kolkata Traffic Department has approved two new authorised autorickshaw routes to enhance last-mile connectivity and commuter mobility across key neighbourhoods, officials said in the past week. The new routes will link Babu Bazar with Mominpore and Rajabazar with Topsia, aiming to provide structured, regulated feeder services to supplement existing bus and metro corridors. The initiative comes amid rising travel demand in the dense central and eastern sectors of the city, where informal autorickshaw services have long operated without formal routes, contributing to congestion and safety concerns. Authorities indicated that the new links will be integrated into the city's traffic management plans, with designated stops, fare guidelines and operational oversight to ensure orderly services and improve commuter experience. The move underscores ongoing efforts by civic planners to improve urban mobility through regulated intermediate public transport in Kolkata's mixed-mode transport environment.Read more

05 Mar 2026

Indian Railways has approved projects worth INR 871 crore across Rajasthan, Kerala and West Bengal to strengthen maintenance capacity and ease congestion on key routes. The works include expansion of coaching depots at Shri Ganganagar and Lalgarh in Rajasthan, doubling of the Turavur Mararikulam rail section in Kerala, and construction of a 4.75-km Kalipahari bypass line in West Bengal. The projects are expected to improve rake handling, reduce delays, support additional passenger and freight trains, and enhance operational efficiency across Northern, Southern and Eastern Railway zones.Read more

04 Mar 2026

Southern Railway has agreed to construct a 3-metre wide tarred pucca road at Vattavila in Thiruvananthapuram after sustained protests by residents and repeated representations by the Nemom Action Council. The decision follows the takeover of a portion of Vattavila Suresh Road for railway line-doubling works near Nemom, for which the Kerala government had transferred land after receiving over INR 1.15 crore from the railways. The new road will be built on railway land and later handed over to the city corporation for maintenance, subject to formal procedures.Read more

04 Mar 2026

Indian Railways has initiated full digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) by introducing the e-RCT platform for online filing and case management. The system will allow claimants to submit petitions, affidavits and documents electronically without visiting tribunal offices. Covering 23 benches across 21 cities, the reform aims to reduce procedural delays, improve transparency and simplify jurisdiction issues in accident, injury, goods and refund cases. The digital rollout, part of the 52 Reforms in 52 Weeks programme, is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.Read more

04 Mar 2026

Godawari Power and Ispat has increased its sponge iron capacity at its Raipur plant to 6.5 lakh tonnes from 5.94 lakh tonnes, with the expansion becoming operational from February 28 after regulatory approval. The plant also has a hard bright wire capacity of 1.15 lakh tonnes. Sponge iron serves as a crucial raw material for steel production in Electric Arc Furnaces and Induction Furnaces, while HB wire is used in nails, fasteners, and construction applications. The company has not shared any financial details regarding the expansion.Read more

04 Mar 2026

VO Chidambaranar Port Authority has announced a major INR 15,000 crore Outer Harbour project to expand capacity and position the port as a key transshipment hub in southern India. The expansion, planned in two phases with completion targeted by 2027 and 2030, will allow the port to handle ultra-large container vessels with an 18-metre draft. In addition, INR 1,500 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure upgrades and green initiatives. Funding arrangements have been tied up with national financial institutions.Read more