CIDCO is advancing plans for a 667-acre Aerocity near the soon-to-open Navi Mumbai International Airport, expected to begin operations in September under Adani Group. Bids have been invited to appoint a master planner and transaction advisor for the project, which will allocate 123 acres each for residential, commercial, and retail zones, alongside offices, warehouses, hotels, hospitals, and entertainment spaces. Strategically connected to the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Navi Mumbai Metro, and suburban rail, the Aerocity aims to offer Mumbai a rare, fully planned urban hub. Rising property demand, particularly from aviation professionals, signals strong interest ahead of the airport's launch.Read more

Maharashtra is set to advance its economic development with the 'Third Mumbai' project in Raigad, planned to include education, healthcare, research, and innovation facilities. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized seamless connectivity to Mumbai and encouraged private sector participation through fast-tracked approvals and public-private partnerships. The announcement coincided with the inauguration of Goldman Sachs' expanded office in Worli, highlighting Maharashtra's position in the financial sector. With a focus on AI, quantum computing, and advanced research, Third Mumbai aims to foster growth in both the MMR region and the broader state economy.Read more

Reliance Infrastructure has received a Letter of Award from NHPC for a 390 MW solar project with a 780 MWhr BESS, adding substantial clean energy capacity to its portfolio. The project/s tariff of INR 3.13/kWh places it among India's most competitively priced renewable initiatives. This development expands Reliance Group's integrated Solar + BESS capacity to over 3 GWp and 3.5 GWhr, strengthening its leadership in the sector. The tender was highly competitive, reflecting growing industry interest in dispatchable renewable energy. Reliance Infrastructure continues to leverage SPVs to deliver large-scale, high-impact projects.Read more

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has invested INR 137.5 crore in Gujarat-based Goldi Solar to support its expansion. Founded in 2011, the solar PV module maker has rapidly scaled its capacity from 3 GW to 14.7 GW and is developing solar cell manufacturing in Surat. Kamath said India's renewable sector offers vast opportunities to build global-scale companies locally. The investment underscores momentum in the domestic solar industry, with rivals like Vikram Solar preparing for a INR 2,000 crore IPO. Backed by government policies, including import duties on foreign modules and PLI incentives, India is targeting 280 GW of solar power capacity by 2030.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority inaugurated four major infrastructure projects this past week under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, along with other senior dignitaries. The projects included the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road extension featuring South Asia's first 100-metre radius cable-stayed bridge, the Mumbai Metro Training Institute at Mandale Depot, new residential quarters for metro staff at Malvani, and the Kalanagar Sub-Flyover Arm D. Together, these projects are expected to drastically improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance workforce capacity across the city.Read more

The Zaheerabad Industrial Smart City (ZISC) is moving into active development after securing all clearances. Conceived as a National Investment and Manufacturing Zone, the USD 320 million (INR 2,369 crore) project is being developed by an SPV with TGIIC holding 51% equity and NICDIT 49%, with additional debt funding. Phase one spans 3,245 acres in Sangareddy, with over 90% of land acquired. Targeting sectors such as automotive, defense, food processing, and electrical equipment, early investors include VEM Technologies (511 acres) and Hyundai (408 acres). Designed as a self-sustaining ecosystem with residential, commercial, and green zones, infrastructure work will commence from October.Read more

JSW Steel and South Korea's POSCO have taken the next step in their strategic partnership by signing a non-binding Heads of Agreement to explore a 6 million tonnes per annum integrated steel plant in India. Building on their earlier MoU, the feasibility study will settle details like site, investment, resources and timelines. Odisha, rich in minerals and logistics is under consideration. This development follows POSCO's prior failed attempt at a mega Odisha project and a planned JSW 5 MTPA venture in Keonjhar. Together, the companies aim to blend JSW's scale with POSCO's technical edge, strengthening India's steel ambitions.Read more

Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group unveiled a green hydrogen facility in Gorakhpur earlier this week, marking Uttar Pradesh's first and India's second such project. The plant, developed jointly by Torrent Power and Torrent Gas, produces 72 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, which is blended at up to 2 percent with natural gas and distributed via existing pipelines to homes, CNG stations, and industries. The state government, backed by its Green Hydrogen Policy, aims to reach a production target of 1 million tonnes per year. This initiative embeds clean energy into daily life, supporting national net-zero ambitions and fostering a low-carbon economy.Read more

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recently organised tricolour rallies in Rabale and Belapur under the 'Har Ghar Tiranga - Har Ghar Swachhta' campaign, guided by Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. The events saw enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, parents, and civic officials. Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik attended as a special guest at Rabale, addressing students on patriotism, while the Belapur rally featured students exploring an exhibition on the journey of the national flag.Read more

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) earlier this week, with a combined investment of nearly INR 11,000 crore. The projects, aimed at decongesting Delhi and improving regional connectivity, are expected to reduce travel time for commuters from Gurugram, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, and Rohtak to IGI Airport. Authorities indicated that the new infrastructure would enhance multi-modal integration, industrial connectivity, and goods movement across the NCR.Read more

In a move to strengthen public infrastructure safety, Bihar's Road Construction Department has joined hands with IIT Delhi to launch a six-month advanced certification programme for its engineers. The initiative, which is part of the newly approved Bihar State Bridge Management & Maintenance Policy, 2025, aims to equip engineers with AI-powered bridge management and real-time monitoring expertise. The policy, described as India's first state-level bridge upkeep framework, also mandates drone-based assessments and transparency through a digital bridge management portal.Read more

Mahindra & Mahindra has expressed interest in acquiring a 350-acre land parcel in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, to support its manufacturing ecosystem. Company executives explained that the land could serve multiple purposes, including setting up a supplier park or developing feeder facilities for the existing Nashik and Igatpuri plants. Alongside this, the automaker is expanding capacity at its Chakan plant and has outlined investment plans exceeding INR 27,000 crore in its automotive business between FY25 and FY27.Read more

Nabha Power Limited's Rajpura thermal power plant has been named the country's best-performing supercritical coal-based thermal power plant for emission intensity. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) evaluated all such plants in India and identified the Rajpura plant, a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro, as a top performer in its category. The plant achieved an emission factor of 0.84 tonne/MWh, which is better than the national average, highlighting its efforts in clean energy transition.Read more

The redevelopment of Thane and Kalyan railway stations has been postponed by the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA). The delay is to avoid an operational logjam, as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) revamp, a project worth INR 2,450 crore, is only 15% complete and is facing early engineering hurdles. The RLDA has stated that it will not take up the Thane and Kalyan projects until the CSMT overhaul reaches a 50-60% completion milestone, which is expected only by next year, to avoid causing major disruption to train services and passenger schedules.Read more

The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to remove 462 remaining illegal structures on farmland near Bhiwandi by February 2026. The order, issued by a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, is in response to a 2013 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted widespread unauthorized construction. This ruling reinforces the court's strict stance against illegal development and compels authorities to complete a long-pending enforcement drive.Read more

The Western Railway has proposed demolishing and rebuilding the Field Marshal General Cariappa Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Borivali, in service since 1993 and nearing the end of its life. However, the BMC has asked for a three- to four-year delay, warning that removing the only flyover linking Borivali East and West would worsen traffic amid ongoing projects. The civic body has requested a structural audit and repairs to extend its lifespan. Existing congestion is already heightened by the delayed Kora Kendra Phase II flyover, stalled by slum clearance issues, and the Thane-Borivli twin tunnel project currently under construction in Borivali East.Read more

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), operator of the city's underground Aqua Line (Metro Line 3), plans to introduce promotional offers and discounts to increase its ridership. The corporation will appoint an agency to handle these activities by the end of 2025, a few months after the full 33.5 km line is operational.This move is designed to boost passenger numbers and help achieve the projected daily ridership of 1.4 million, as the current usage on newly opened sections is below capacity.Read more

India is finalizing guidelines for large-scale electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, with the aim of attracting significant private investment and accelerating EV adoption. The new rules, being drafted by the Ministry of Power and NITI Aayog, will focus on standardizing infrastructure, ensuring compatibility, and integrating with renewable energy sources. This move is a strategic response to the current shortfall in charging stations, as the country aims to boost its network from just over 12,000 public chargers to at least 2 million by 2030, a goal critical for reducing oil imports and cutting carbon emissions.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has proposed a massive development plan for Amaravati, the state's greenfield capital, with projects totaling INR 81,317 crore. Tenders have already been issued for projects worth INR 50,552 crore, covering key areas like housing, public infrastructure, flood management, and green energy initiatives. Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu has stressed accelerating the projects to complete construction six months ahead of schedule. The plan also incorporates electric vehicle adoption, air quality monitoring, and modern urban planning to transform Amaravati into a sustainable city.Read more

Ms Minal Srinivasan, Managing Director of Kesari Infrabuild Private Limited

Urban development and environmental conservation are often perceived as conflicting goals; however, when integrated strategically, both can flourish. This article by Ms Minal Srinivasan, Managing Director of Kesari Infrabuild Private Limited, outlines key principles for harmonising growth with sustainability. It highlights the importance of green infrastructure, zoning, community involvement, and transit-oriented development. With responsible planning, cities can enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and public well-being while accommodating urban expansion.Read more