17 Feb 2026

The Centre has created agricultural infrastructure worth INR 1 lakh crore to preserve fruits, vegetables and other farm produce, helping reduce post-harvest losses by 5-15 per cent, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the Rajya Sabha. He said thousands of facilities including custom hiring centres, primary processing units, warehouses, grading units, cold storages and smart agriculture infrastructure have been established to strengthen storage and value chains. Targeting the previous Congress-led government for inaction, he credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for prioritising farm infrastructure. In a written reply, Chouhan said that under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), INR 7,425.99 crore has been sanctioned for 32,014 projects in Punjab as of February 9, 2026, against a revised allocation of INR 9,050 crore based on the state's performance.Read more

17 Feb 2026

French drugmaker Sanofi on Monday announced plans to expand its global capability centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, increasing its workforce to more than 4,500 employees from the current 2,600. The expansion will be backed by a multi-hundred-million-dollar investment, though the company did not specify the exact amount or hiring timeline. In 2024, Sanofi had committed to investing 400 million euros ($474.60 million) in its India GCC by the end of the decade. The move reflects the growing importance of India as a hub for multinational GCCs, which are evolving into innovation-driven centres supporting research, artificial intelligence and data capabilities. The announcement comes ahead of the BioAsia conference in Hyderabad, where global pharmaceutical leaders are set to discuss India's expanding role in the global pharma ecosystem.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai has seen improved accessibility following the opening of the Santacruz - Chembur Link Road extension connecting to LBS Road. The new route offers a signal-free approach that reduces travel time and eases congestion from areas such as Bandra, Santacruz and Andheri. The development improves access to Kurla and the LBS Road corridor, making travel more predictable for visitors. The mall, operational since 2011, continues to be one of Mumbai's largest retail and leisure destinations with strong footfall and established entertainment venues.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Siemens Energy India Ltd reported a 35 per cent rise in net profit to INR 313 crore for the December quarter of FY26, supported by a 26 per cent increase in revenue to INR 1,911 crore. Profitability was affected by a one-time labour-related cost of INR 52 crore. Operating in an October-September financial year, the company cited strong energy market conditions. Its board approved an INR 2,060 crore investment to expand large power transformer capacity by about 30,000 MVA, underlining confidence in sustained demand.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Thane Coastal Road-1 has achieved significant construction progress, with over half of its elevated viaduct foundation work completed within about eight months. The 13.45 km, six-lane greenfield corridor uses a single-pile, single-pier monopile system, a first for such a road project in India. Planned as a freight and mobility corridor, it aims to reduce congestion on Ghodbunder Road, improve links between NH-160 and Gaimukh, protect mangrove areas, and connect with multiple upcoming transport projects in the region.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Changi Airport Group Chairman Lim Ming Yan said the group is closely monitoring opportunities for airport projects in India, describing the country as a key growth market. Speaking at the ET Now Global Business Summit 2026, he highlighted the importance of partnering with local players to create a win-win situation. The group, which operates Singapore Changi Airport, already has investments in Durgapur Airport in West Bengal. Lim noted that India's civil aviation infrastructure has improved significantly over the past two decades and is poised for continued expansion as the government pushes airport development through public-private partnerships.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Schneider Electric Infrastructure reported a year-on-year decline of over 12 per cent in net profit to INR 97 crore for the latest October-December quarter, mainly due to expenses classified under exceptional items linked to labour code implementation. Profit in the same quarter last year stood at INR 110.53 crore. Despite this, the company posted strong revenue growth, with sales rising over 20 per cent to INR 1,029 crore. The performance reflects robust demand for power and electrical infrastructure solutions amid ongoing grid and distribution investments.Read more

17 Feb 2026

India plans to add 50 new airports over the next five years, a move expected to support urban expansion and create fresh opportunities for the real estate sector. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said airports act as key enablers of property development and confirmed efforts to ease building height restrictions near airports without affecting safety. With 165 operational airports already in place, India is adding aviation infrastructure at a rapid pace. The real estate sector is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030 and USD 5-7 trillion by 2047.Read more

Delhi News Desk

17 Feb 2026

A proposed air taxi corridor for Delhi-NCR could significantly reduce travel time between Gurgaon, Central Delhi and Noida International Airport at Jewar, according to a recent study by the Confederation of Indian Industry. The plan uses electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to cut road journeys of two to three hours to under 30 minutes. The report outlines phased implementation, regulatory oversight, rooftop vertiports, and initial use for emergency services before passenger operations, while addressing airspace, safety and environmental considerations.Read more

Delhi News Desk

17 Feb 2026

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has initiated a citywide desilting programme valued at INR 36 crore to prepare for the upcoming monsoon season. The initiative covers nearly 800 deep drains spread across multiple zones and focuses on improving drainage efficiency in flood-prone areas. Work orders for drains deeper than 4 feet are being issued, with phased timelines extending into the latter part of the year. The plan also introduces stricter monitoring, disposal timelines for excavated silt, and a verification-linked payment system to ensure execution discipline.Read more