Rapido has partnered with the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to introduce metro ticket booking through its app. As part of this initiative, the company will provide first-time users a free ride and offer fixed-fare rides to and from metro stations for INR 25. Initially rolled out at 30 Delhi metro stations, the service will include designated pick-up and drop-off points. Rapido, which already facilitates metro ticketing in Kochi and Chennai, claims to serve over 8 lakh daily users, 40% of whom are women drivers.Read more

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved INR 20,000 crore to resume land acquisition for the 800-km Shaktipeeth Expressway, which will link Pavnar in Wardha to Patradevi at the Goa border. Funded through a HUDCO-backed loan, the project aims to cut Nagpur-Goa travel time from 20 to 8-10 hours and will connect 18 pilgrimage and heritage sites. Estimated to cost INR 84,000-86,000 crore, the project faces renewed farmer protests over compensation and displacement. Land measurement is to conclude by August, with acquisition targeted for December. Modeled on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, it's part of MSRDC's larger push to fast-track key infrastructure corridors statewide.Read more

Just weeks after opening, the 76-km Igatpuri-Amane stretch of the Samruddhi Expressway has developed large potholes on its asphalt bridge surfaces, raising concerns over construction quality. Built at a cost of INR 1,182 crore, this section adds to a series of issues along the 701-km Nagpur-Mumbai corridor, including earlier cracks near Shahapur, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. While the expressway boasts features like Maharashtra's widest tunnels, wildlife crossings, and smart tolling, recurring surface failures may undermine its goal of halving travel time. Constructed under MSRDC, the six-lane expressway was launched in phases from 2022, but quality control remains a growing public concern.Read more

The BMC has opened public consultation on a draft regulation (33(27)) to define and incentivise "iconic buildings" under Mumbai's DCPR 2034. Eligible structures must display standout design, scale, or architectural vision. Developers may receive FSI relaxations by paying a premium up to 50% of land value, split between BMC and the state. A high-powered committee, chaired by the Municipal Commissioner and including global and Indian experts, will vet proposals. Public scrutiny of designs is encouraged. The draft mandates non-residential use, 18 m road access, and public plazas. The move echoes Mumbai's legacy of iconic architecture, aiming to blend innovation with heritage-conscious development.Read more

The Maharashtra government has allocated 30 acres in Bandra East's government colony for the new Bombay High Court complex, addressing severe space constraints at the existing 1878 Fort premises. Architect Hafeez Contractor will design the facility, featuring 75 courtrooms, judge residences, lawyers' chambers, archives, and amenities like daycare and parking. The move follows Supreme Court directives and a 2019 ruling, with phased handovers already underway. The broader 90-acre site will also host up to twelve 16-storey towers for civil servant housing and revenue-generating residential sales. The current Fort building, originally meant for 15 judges, now struggles to house 35 in overcrowded conditions.Read more

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation has ramped up enforcement against unauthorised construction and water theft ahead of the monsoon. In Gulmandi, officials razed two dozen illegal shop extensions and a hazardous building, while traders near Rangar Galli were warned to self-demolish encroachments. In Kiradpura, over 100 illegal water connections were cut, restoring supply to legal users. Recent drives also cleared 340 encroachments on Beed Bypass Road and bulldozed 229 structures in Mukundwadi, sparking protests over alleged due process violations. Earlier efforts used robotic tools to detect hidden pipelines. Authorities warn that unpaid irrigation dues could delay the city's main water project.Read more

MMRDA has launched a INR 325 crore programme to upgrade rural roads across ten villages in Alibaug, following its recent appointment as the region's planning authority. The plan includes cement-concrete resurfacing on key stretches connecting villages to Alibaug's town centre. With tenders issued for detailed design and management, on-ground construction is slated to begin soon. This initiative forms part of a wider connectivity vision including multimodal corridors and ring-road projects that aims to improve access and boost land and tourism value in Alibaug and adjacent areas.Read more

Adani Group plans to invest USD 15-20 billion annually over the next five years to fuel its next growth phase, Chairman Gautam Adani announced at the group's AGM. The company aims to reach 100 GW power capacity by 2030 across renewables and conventional sources, while also expanding in ports, airports, data centres, cement, gas, and energy. Despite scrutiny from US authorities, Adani assured investors of strong financials, reporting INR 2.71 lakh crore in revenue and an 8.2% rise in EBITDA. Key projects include the 50 GW Khavda renewable park, smart metering initiatives, Navi Mumbai Airport, and the transformative Dharavi redevelopment project.Read more

The Maharashtra government has appointed MMRDA as the nodal agency for the Dharavi Multi-Modal Transit Hub (MMTH), aimed at transforming connectivity across Mumbai. The hub will integrate Mahim, Sion, and Chunabhatti railway stations with Metro Lines 2B, 3, 8, and 11, and connect to the BKC Bullet Train station, Mumbai airport, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. It will also extend BKC's Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system to Dharavi. The project includes amenities like offices, retail, hotels, and a convention centre. MMRDA will soon begin feasibility studies, with officials describing the hub as a key step in Dharavi's inclusive urban redevelopment.Read more

Suntech Infra Solutions, a B2B civil construction company, has rolled out its INR 44.39 crore initial public offering (IPO), marking a key step in its growth strategy. The IPO, which opened for public subscription earlier this week, includes both a fresh issue and an offer for sale, priced between INR 81 and INR 86 per share. The fresh capital will fund working capital needs, acquisition of construction equipment, and general corporate purposes. The shares are set to be listed on the NSE's SME platform, underlining the company's commitment to long-term infrastructure expansion.Read more

The Union government has overhauled its highway bidding process to improve execution and prevent delays. Under new guidelines from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all land, environmental, forest, and wildlife clearances must be secured before inviting project bids-replacing the earlier norm of 90% land acquisition. Land acquisition must begin 60 days after finalizing highway alignment, and 90% of the right-of-way must be awarded before a Letter of Award is issued. These reforms aim to streamline approvals, minimize contractual disputes, and curb cost overruns. The Centre plans to award 9,000 km of highways in FY26 under this new, more efficient framework.Read more

Maharashtra CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis has announced a INR 4,000 crore road upgrade plan for Nashik ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with central government support. Nine key routes connecting Nashik, along with the Nashik Ring Road and Nashik-Trimbak road (to be widened to six lanes), have received in-principle approval from Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari. A Detailed Project Report is underway. Roads such as Ghoti-Trimbakeshwar, Dwarka-Sinnar, and Nashik-Dhule will be developed to handle the massive influx of devotees. These upgrades aim to ensure safe and efficient movement during the world-renowned religious event, enhancing regional connectivity and infrastructure resilience.Read more

GAIL (India) Ltd has announced an investment of INR 844 crore to expand the capacity of its Dahej-Uran-Dabhol-Panvel (DUPL-DPPL) natural gas pipeline network from 19.9 to 22.5 million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) over the next three years. The company also disclosed revised completion dates for major projects, including the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda (MNJPL) and Srikakulam-Angul pipelines, now scheduled for phased completion by the end of 2025. Delays have been attributed to permissions and land acquisition issues, necessitating an additional INR 411.12 crore investment for the MNJPL project.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the Urban Green Policy, a statewide plan to embed sustainability into urban life through a tiered approach at city, neighbourhood, and building levels. Key features include Miyawaki forests, sponge parks, green belts, rooftop gardens, and green construction mandates. A 'Green City Monitoring System' will rank cities on eco-performance, aiming to award the top performer the 'Ultimate Green City' title. The policy rollout will begin in major metros and extend to all 762 urban bodies post-2030. Funded by central, state, and CSR sources, the initiative also promotes community participation through tree-planting drives, workshops, and real-time progress monitoring.Read more

West Bengal has launched an ambitious expansion of its IT infrastructure with four new parks three in North Bengal and one in Chinsurah, Hooghly. Construction is already underway at Kurseong under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, while Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri parks are next in line. These developments follow the high occupancy of 22 existing state-run IT parks operated by WBEIDC. The initiative complements earlier government-backed tech expansions in New Town, Salt Lake, and Siliguri, including a 25-acre PPP tech-cultural hub and an AI-focused IT park.Read more

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a 15-day intensive drive to combat monsoon-related challenges, particularly flooding and waterlogging, on national highways. As part of this effort, NHAI teams, including contractors and consultants, are inspecting vulnerable stretches across the country. Measures such as drain cleaning, pothole repair, desilting of culverts and rainwater harvesting systems, and placement of emergency equipment are being implemented to ensure safe and smooth traffic flow during the rainy season.Read more

The Gujarat government has announced a comprehensive INR 3,395 crore funding for civic development across eight municipal corporations, 22 municipalities, and four Urban Development Authorities. A large share INR 3,263 crore will go to infrastructure projects like roads, drainage, rainwater systems, and public amenities. The initiative aligns with the state's declaration of the current period as its "Urban Development Year", following a 40% hike in the urban budget to INR 30,325 crore. With tailored allocations for rapidly growing and newly formed municipal corporations, this move aims to fast-track Gujarat's urban transformation.Read more

Bondada Group has secured a significant 400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project from Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL), marking a key development in Tamil Nadu's push towards grid stability and renewable energy integration. The standalone BESS facilities will be installed at Vellalaviduthi and Thennampatty, with the project set to operate under a build-own-operate model. Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) has entered into a 12-year energy storage purchase agreement with the company, enabling two full charge-discharge cycles daily to manage peak demand and ensure uninterrupted power delivery.Read more

Noida International Airport has joined hands with Anlon Technology Solutions to introduce the Cleanjet RRM, India's first indigenously built runway rubber removal machine. Mounted on the Eicher Pro 6028 chassis and compliant with Bharat Stage-VI norms, the machine offers a 100% chemical-free, high-efficiency solution for cleaning rubber deposits, oil spills, and paint markings using ultra-high-pressure water jets. Capable of covering up to 1,100 sq. m per hour, it promises improved safety and sustainability in runway maintenance.Read more

Gentari has commissioned a 150 MW open-access solar power plant in Wardha, Maharashtra-one of the state's largest for commercial and industrial (C&I) users. The facility will generate around 248 million units of clean electricity annually, reducing over 2.38 lakh tonnes of CO emissions-equivalent to removing thousands of cars from the roads. With this project, Gentari's total solar capacity for C&I clients in the state exceeds 225 MW. Sharad Pungalia, Gentari's India head, highlighted strong demand for reliable green energy. The project supports the company's wider sustainability strategy, which includes solar, green hydrogen, and clean mobility solutions across India and the Asia-Pacific.Read more