21 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved an INR 18,662 crore project to build India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam. The 33.7 km corridor will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, sharply reducing travel distance and time between the two locations. Planned as a twin-tube tunnel with road lanes and future rail provision, the project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and support economic activity across Upper Assam and nearby states.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The National Green Tribunal has allowed the INR 90,000 crore Great Nicobar infrastructure project to move ahead, stating that the environmental clearance already granted includes adequate safeguards. The tribunal found no grounds to interfere after examining objections related to ecological impact, forest diversion, and tribal rights. It noted that issues raised by petitioners had been reviewed earlier by a high-powered committee. While disposing of the pleas, the tribunal directed authorities to ensure strict compliance with all clearance conditions during project execution.Read more

21 Feb 2026

India's first Emergency Landing Facility in the Northeast has been commissioned on a national highway stretch in Assam, strengthening the region's aviation and defence preparedness. The facility allows military and civilian aircraft to land during emergencies and has been developed with support from the Indian Air Force. Fighter jets and transport aircraft successfully operated from the highway strip, demonstrating its readiness. The project adds a new layer of operational flexibility for disaster response, logistics, and strategic requirements, while also improving infrastructure resilience in a region with limited aviation alternatives.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three national highway projects involving an investment of INR 11,079.10 crore to upgrade key road stretches in Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra. The projects include four-laning of important corridors and rehabilitation of existing highways under Hybrid Annuity and EPC models. These upgrades are aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel time, easing freight movement and supporting economic activity across industrial, tribal and logistics-linked districts. The projects are also expected to generate substantial employment during construction.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has commenced construction of a dedicated construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing plant on a 9-acre site in Hanchya-Sathagalli, near the city's Outer Ring Road, with an estimated cost of INR 11.7 crore. The initiative aims to tackle the nearly 100 tonnes of C&D waste generated daily in Mysuru by recycling debris into usable materials such as crushed bricks and aggregates for road building and other infrastructure works. The project sanctioned by the Mysuru Development Authority will have a capacity to process up to 100 tonnes per day and is expected to be operational within four months, supporting the city's efforts to curb illegal dumping and improve cleanliness as it prepares for assessment under the Swachh Survekshan national cleanliness ranking. MCC has already deployed tippers to collect debris and begun initial dumping at the site.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the Koparkhairane ward, partially demolishing unauthorised constructions under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Notices under Section 54 had been served earlier this month to two property occupants in Sector 3, Koparkhairane. Following non-compliance, civic officials undertook partial demolition of the structures and imposed penalties of INR 10,000 each, amounting to a total of INR 20,000. The operation was conducted under the direction of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, with senior officials and police personnel present. The corporation has stated that similar enforcement action against illegal constructions will continue in the future.Read more

Chennai News Desk

21 Feb 2026

Workers at major Indian ports held a one-day strike to protest proposed changes affecting key maritime assets, including plans to list Kamarajar Port Limited and recent investment decisions by Chennai Port Authority. The strike, called by the Water Transport Workers Federation of India one of the five recognised unions at major ports took place across Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Thoothukudi and Kamarajar ports. Workers expressed opposition to the potential initial public offering (IPO) of Kamarajar Port, arguing it could dilute public ownership and jeopardise employment conditions; they also criticised Chennai Port Authority's reported acquisition of a 5 per cent stake in Bharat Container Shipping Line. The action was framed as part of wider labour concerns over port policy shifts and asset monetisation.Read more

20 Feb 2026

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has directed civic officials to take control of all projects developed under its Smart City initiative by the end of March, 2026, as the dedicated Smart City office is slated to cease operations. The corporation has established a three-member committee to manage the transition of both ongoing and completed schemes into regular municipal departments, ensuring their completion and upkeep. The Smart City initiative, launched in 2017 with combined funding from the central government, the state and PCMC, saw investments totalling close to INR 980 crore, but faced criticism for incomplete or non-functional elements, including issues with city surveillance infrastructure. As part of the transition, Smart City staff will return to their original roles, and contractual employees will be retained only until their agreements expire, while PCMC continues to bear costs for operation and maintenance of the existing assets.Read more

Pune News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra state government has formally designated the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as the planning authority for 23 areas that were merged into its jurisdiction in 2021, resolving long-standing administrative and planning ambiguities. Under the new arrangement, PMC will take over responsibilities previously held by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for issuing building permissions, approving development plans, and overseeing infrastructure upgrades in these merged areas. The move follows sustained advocacy by local representatives, civic officials and residents to streamline governance and address delays that affected civic services and development. State officials have revoked PMRDA's special planning authority status in the merged villages, and formal handovers of planning documents and revenue streams are expected shortly. Proponents say the change will enhance regulatory clarity and accelerate planned urban development in fringe localities of Pune.Read more

Delhi News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Delhi Development Authority has revised the pricing structure of flats under its ongoing housing schemes by removing separate parking charges, leading to a reduction in flat prices ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 12 lakh. Parking construction costs will now be included in the overall development cost and reflected in the plinth area rate. The decision applies to select MIG and HIG flats across four schemes. Buyers who have already paid parking charges will receive refunds or instalment adjustments.Read more