A massive fire in the Saganoseki district of Oita city in southern Japan destroyed more than 170 buildings and continued burning through the night. Over 175 residents moved to an emergency shelter after the fire began in the early evening earlier this week. One person remains missing, and officials have started an investigation into the cause. Aerial images showed homes reduced to debris, smoke across the hillside, and flames spreading toward nearby forested areas. Local authorities requested support, leading to the deployment of a military firefighting helicopter.Read more

Noida Authority has begun trial runs on the 4.5-km Bhangel Elevated Road after pressure from a farmers' group demanding its immediate opening. The six-lane corridor runs parallel to the DSC Road, connecting the Aghapur petrol pump to the Noida Special Economic Zone, and is expected to ease traffic for several residential sectors and nearby villages. First proposed in 2012, the project faced long delays due to funding issues, design revisions and construction challenges. Its cost increased from INR 468 crore to about INR 608 crore. Earlier this year, the alignment was slightly modified after two unapproved buildings obstructed the original plan.Read more

RITES Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to provide comprehensive consultancy support across major infrastructure and industrial sectors. The agreement covers feasibility studies, detailed project reports, project management, bid management, and third-party inspection. It extends to transport, ports, waterways, power, water systems, buildings, and industrial infrastructure. The partnership is expected to strengthen project planning and execution while helping the state attract new investment and improve long-term development outcomes.Read more

Allcargo Terminals is planning a second container freight station (CFS) in Chennai, located in the Kattupalli-Ennore corridor, to manage growing logistics demand in the region. The company has extended its 30-acre land lease from Venkatesh Coke and Power Limited (VCPL) until September next year, paying an annual rent of INR 9 crore. The expansion complements Allcargo's existing 23-acre Chennai CFS, which handles over-dimensional cargo and operates 24/7. The new facility is expected to strengthen the company's presence in southern India and improve cargo handling efficiency.Read more

Karnataka's government has announced an infrastructure investment of over INR 1 lakh crore for Bengaluru to strengthen urban mobility, business, and technology infrastructure. Major initiatives include a 40?km twin tunnel project costing INR 42,500 crore, a 41 km double-decker metro at INR 18,000 crore, a 110 km elevated corridor for INR 15,000 crore, 320 km of buffer roads at INR 5,000 crore, a SkyDeck at INR 500 crore, and a 74 km Bengaluru Business Corridor for INR 27,000 crore. Plans also include a second airport, a new NRI Secretariat, and a 9,000 acre AI City near Bidadi.Read more

A rail fracture between Vikhroli and Kanjurmarg stations briefly disrupted local train services on Mumbai's Central Railway main line. The fracture was detected on the down slow line at 7:32?am, prompting authorities to divert slow trains to the fast line from Matunga station and impose a 30 km/h speed restriction. The line was declared safe by 7:58 am. This disruption affected over 3.5 million daily commuters, causing delays of 10-20 minutes. The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining safety and punctuality on one of the world's busiest suburban rail networks.Read more

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has begun work on extending the Green Line from Madavara to Tumakuru by inviting bids for a Detailed Project Report. The proposed 59.6 km elevated corridor will feature about 25 stations, starting near the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre and passing through Nelamangala, Dabaspete and Kyathasandra before reaching Tumakuru. Estimated to cost between INR 18,670 crore and INR 20,650 crore, the project is being evaluated under both PPP and SPV funding models. Designed to handle 15,000 passengers per hour with 4-5 minute train frequencies, the line is projected to serve 2.8 lakh daily commuters by 2032. The DPR will refine alignment, costs and land needs.Read more

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will start commercial passenger flights from December 25 with 23 daily departures in the first phase. Operations will run for 12 hours each day during the initial month, allowing up to 10 aircraft movements per hour. The airport, developed through a joint venture between the Adani Group and CIDCO, has been built at a cost of INR 19,650 crore. Phase-1 covers 1,160 hectares and includes one terminal and one runway with a capacity of 20 million passengers a year. Daily departures are set to increase to 34 from February 2026.Read more

Piling work at Elphinstone Bridge's P61 and P61A pier locations has completed seven piles so far but faced interruptions from local residents concerned about the safety of century-old nearby buildings. MMRDA's contractor appointed VJTI experts to monitor structural stability, using accelerometers, crack width gauges, and tilt sensors. A joint site visit with officials, experts, and residents was held to explain safety measures. Preventive guidelines were issued to reduce rig RPM, limit noise, and monitor vibrations during pile boring, ensuring the safety of the surrounding structures.Read more

Rajasthan plans to develop an inland port in Jalore, creating a direct waterway link to the Arabian Sea through Kandla Port in Gujarat. The project, backed by the Central government, proposes a 262-km waterway requiring dredging costs exceeding INR 10,000 crore. A draft DPR by IIT Madras is under review, with final approval to follow field assessments. The port is expected to boost trade, industrial growth and logistics efficiency for sectors such as textiles, stone processing, agriculture and oilseeds. Linked to National Waterway 48, the project could generate over 50,000 jobs and support new industries, warehousing and cold-storage facilities across the region.Read more

Maharashtra's infrastructure committee has approved major highway upgrades, including a new multi-lane Pune-Shirur corridor spanning 53.4 km with a mix of four-lane roads and a six-lane elevated expressway. The route, which sees heavy industrial traffic, is expected to ease growing congestion in the Pune region. Two six-lane highways in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district were also cleared, linking Shendra, Bidkin and Dhoregaon as part of planned DMIC and Samruddhi Expressway connectivity. A greenfield road from Karmad to the expressway also received initial approval. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed immediate repairs, fast-tracked land acquisition and timely execution, with a 7.4-km elevated stretch to be jointly developed for metro and road use.Read more

In response to concerns over the emergence of illegal buildings, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has introduced KD-SWIFT, a digital one-window platform for building-permission approvals. This new system lets citizens, architects, and developers apply for permissions across eight departments - including fire, drainage, water supply, and tree authority - via a single portal. The process is time-bound, with a 28-day turnaround for decisions, and approvals come with QR-coded certificates to enhance verification and transparency.Read more

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation, the cement arm of the Nirma Group, has agreed to acquire Gujarat-based Vadraj Energy in an INR 200-crore deal involving JSW Cement and Alpha Alternatives. The purchase is being made through Algebra Endeavour, Vadraj Energy's holding company, and will give Nuvoco access to power plants in Kutch and Surat to support its captive energy needs. The all-cash transaction is expected to close within about ten days, subject to conditions. Earlier this year, Nuvoco also secured NCLT approval to acquire Vadraj Cement for INR 1,800 crore. Nuvoco, India's fifth-largest cement maker, saw its shares trade slightly lower at INR 364.15.Read more

J Infratech has secured a highway reconstruction contract worth INR 116 crore from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd for upgrading key stretches of the Jhanji-Demow section of NH-37 in Assam. The work covers 20.44 km between the 514.36 km and 534.80 km marks, a route connecting major commercial zones in Upper Assam. The company has received the official letter of acceptance and plans to complete the project within four months. The upgraded corridor is expected to improve connectivity, support trade movement, and enhance overall road safety in the region.Read more

Fly91, the Goa-based regional airline, plans to induct three more ATR 72-600 aircraft and launch new routes by March next year, taking its fleet to seven. The digital-native carrier, which began operations earlier this year, currently flies four aircraft and runs over 120 weekly flights, including services under the government's regional connectivity scheme. Fly91 now connects eight cities-Goa, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Agatti and Jalgaon-and aims to expand further. Backed by INR 250 crore in funding, the airline has already carried 1.7 lakh passengers on more than 3,500 flights. Over the next five years, it plans to scale up to 30 aircraft and operate from multiple bases.Read more

KPI Green Energy has secured a Rs 696.50 crore contract with SJVN Ltd to develop a 200 MW (AC) solar project at Gujarat's GIPCL Renewable Energy Park. The company will supply all equipment, handle construction, installation, civil works, and manage testing, commissioning, and operational acceptance. KPI Green will also provide O&M support for three years post-commercial operation. The project is structured under three contracts: Supply, EPC, and O&M highlighting KPI Green's turnkey responsibility and strengthening its position as a key renewable energy EPC player.Read more

Delhi's Public Works Department is preparing to repair 500 km of major road stretches by March next year, as confirmed by PWD Minister Parvesh Verma. The work will include re-carpeting, pothole filling, patchwork, and restoring damaged footpaths and foot overbridges. Funding of about INR 800 crore from the central government has already been received, with an assurance of additional support. The initiative aims to reduce road dust and improve overall road quality ahead of the winter pollution period. This follows earlier reviews and ongoing repair activities across the city.Read more

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has set up a dedicated power arm in Beijing China Petroleum Electric Energy Co Ltd to steer its growing new-energy business. Wholly owned by CNPC's Daqing Oilfield subsidiary and backed with 5 billion yuan (about USD 703 million) of capital, the unit will act as a market-oriented platform to manage power production, supply, and sales. CNPC's leadership said this move reflects its strategy to adapt to rapid renewable grid integration, deeper power market reform, and surging demand for green electricity.Read more

Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Verma carried out a detailed inspection of the Srinagar-Baramulla section under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. He was accompanied by senior officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager of the Jammu division. The team reviewed passenger facilities, station preparedness, train operations and overall safety arrangements across nearly all stations in the 60-kilometre stretch. Verma also inspected the goods terminal at Anantnag and emphasised the need for quality work, timely progress and strict adherence to safety standards.Read more

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved projects worth around INR 360 crore to improve pollution control and deepen scientific understanding of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. A major approval was a INR 361.86 crore project for Siliguri to intercept 25 drains flowing into the Mahananda and build two STPs of 27 MLD and 22 MLD under a hybrid-annuity model. For Delhi, NMCG cleared works to enhance treated-water flow into the Yamuna, including drain diversion and new pumping and conveyance systems. Several research studies were sanctioned, including glacier-melt analysis in the Upper Ganga Basin, a 1,100-km bathymetric survey, groundwater recharge assessments and development of a Digital Twin platform. A school outreach programme, Youth for Ganga, Youth for Yamuna, was also approved.Read more