18 Feb 2025

The Maharashtra government is considering implementing the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulation (UDCPR) across the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), even as the region's overall development plan remains pending. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed initial support for the proposal during a recent PMRDA meeting in Mumbai. The move, once formalized via a Government Resolution (GR), could standardize building norms, boost development fees, and streamline infrastructure planning. Developers and urban planners see this as a step toward affordable housing and better urban management, though public engagement will be key to ensuring an inclusive and practical implementation.Read more

18 Feb 2025

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is using drone technology to survey the Madhuban Bapudham housing scheme as part of a land audit, aiming to improve accuracy in land records. The scheme, launched in 2014, covers 1,234 acres and 2,750 plots. The drone survey will help correct mapping errors, including plots mistakenly allocated on crematorium land. Traditionally, manual zonal maps led to discrepancies, but digital integration will enhance precision. GDA officials assured affected allottees of reallocation. This technological upgrade aims to ensure transparency, reduce errors, and establish a reliable digital land record system for improved urban planning and development.Read more

17 Feb 2025

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is expected to see a 5% decline in road construction in FY2026, with execution projected at 9,500-10,000 km, down from 10,000-10,500 km in FY2025, according to ICRA. The slowdown stems from reduced project awards over the past two years, with only 3,100 km awarded in 9M FY25, much lower than 5,835 km in 9M FY23. Toll collections are forecast to grow 7-9% in FY26, driven by a 3.5-5% traffic increase and moderate toll rate hikes. Despite these challenges, expressway projects and monetization efforts may offer long-term sector resilience.Read more

14 Feb 2025

The Harekala Gram Panchayat in Ullal taluk is finalizing a project to provide land to 270 homeless families in Malar village. Spread over 9.5 acres, the initiative, backed by Speaker UT Khader, will allocate three cents per family with essential infrastructure. Revenue officials are verifying applications to prevent duplication. The panchayat is also identifying additional revenue lands for future housing projects. The effort aligns with government housing schemes, ensuring sustainable housing solutions in rural areas. Once allocations are complete, construction assistance will be sought from the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited.Read more

14 Feb 2025

With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) planning to involve private entities in the development and maintenance of open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP), citizens have urged the civic body to establish a dense, native tree forest on a 70-hectare land parcel near the arterial road. The 7.5-km-long promenade is expected to open by May 2025, but development on the landward side is yet to commence. In response, Save Our Coast Mumbai has initiated an online petition, which has garnered over 13,500 signatures, calling for ecological zoning, transparent public consultation, and the integration of the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) to enhance air quality and climate resilience. Citizens advocate for a zoning strategy that includes a dense forest for residential protection, a green public area, and walking trails with medicinal and fruit-bearing trees.Read more

13 Feb 2025

India is set to approve upcoming highway projects under the Vision 2047 roadmap, as confirmed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. He assured that sufficient funds are available for highway development, despite a flat budget allocation for the roads ministry for the 2025-26 fiscal year. He highlighted that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has strong borrowing capacity, with investor confidence reflected in oversubscribed infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs). In 2023-24, the national highway construction rate reached 12,300 km, averaging 34 km per day. Delhi is witnessing significant infrastructure projects worth INR 1 lakh crore, including the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II.Read more

13 Feb 2025

Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) cited adverse weather, climate change, and a high water table as reasons for infrastructure project delays. Heavy rainfall, sandy soil, and early monsoons hindered sewerage and road construction, making excavation difficult. To ease traffic, temporarily restored roads were made operational. Work resumed in November 2024 after the monsoon subsided. The Smart City Mission deadline was extended to March 2025, with roads set for completion by then, while landscaping and tree plantation will finish by June 2025. IPSCDL stated that Panaji's position below sea level and rising sea levels further complicated construction efforts.Read more

13 Feb 2025

Plastic pollution remains a critical global challenge, with 430 million metric tonnes produced annually, of which less than 10% is recycled. In India, rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management have led to increased plastic accumulation in landfills and waterways. Prestige Group has taken a significant step toward sustainability by incorporating plastic waste into road construction at Great Acres, The Prestige City, Sarjapur. Inspired by Dr. R. Vasudevan's technique, the project integrates shredded plastic with bitumen, enhancing road durability while reducing plastic waste. Covering 7.17 km, this initiative serves as a scalable model for sustainable urban infrastructure worldwide.Read more

12 Feb 2025

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has entered into four significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the World Economic Forum in Davos to propel economic and infrastructural advancements in Navi Mumbai. These agreements include a collaboration with Eruditus to develop an International Educity with an investment of INR 20,000-INR 25,000 crore, expected to generate 20,000 direct jobs. Additionally, BookMyShow is set to establish a large-scale outdoor entertainment arena in Maharashtra with an investment of INR 1,700 crore, creating approximately 500 jobs. Other key MoUs include a INR 25,000 crore data centre project with Panchshil Realty and a INR 1,500 crore logistics park with Welspun World, aiming to boost Maharashtra's digital and logistics sectors.Read more

12 Feb 2025

The cost of the New Parliament Building and Vice President Enclave has increased due to factors such as a rise in GST, escalating material costs, higher wages, structural reinforcements, and additional security measures. Initially, Tata Projects secured the New Parliament Building contract at INR 862 crore, lower than the estimated INR 971 crore, while Kamladityya Construction Private Ltd obtained the VP Enclave project for INR 206.5 crore against an estimated INR 214 crore. However, sources indicate that the revised cost for the New Parliament Building is approximately INR 1,200 crore, a 25% increase. Similarly, the VP Enclave's cost rose to around INR 260 crore, following the Delegated Investment Board's approval of additional expenses. The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry confirmed these escalations in response to parliamentary inquiries but withheld exact revised figures.Read more