Western India is emerging as a major hub for last-mile logistics, supported by upgraded air and road connectivity, expanding airports in tier II/III cities, and a growing multimodal infrastructure. The region's adoption of hybrid fleets, urban warehouses, and micro-fulfilment centres is improving delivery efficiency and reliability. E-commerce shipments reached 5 billion in FY25, growing at 29% CAGR since FY19. Tier II cargo share has risen to 24%, and national highways and rural roads have significantly expanded, enabling faster same-day and next-day deliveries across key urban and suburban markets.Read more

The Maharashtra government has approved the detailed project report and phase I implementation plan for the Uttan-Virar Sea Link, a large regional connectivity project valued at INR 58,755 crore. The plan covers a 24.35 km sea bridge and 30.77 km of connecting roads, forming a 55.12 km corridor. The state will extend INR 11,116.27 crore as non-interest support, while the remaining funds will be raised by MMRDA and external borrowings. The proposal follows earlier revisions that had significantly reduced the project's earlier estimated cost.Read more

The Panvel-Karjat suburban rail corridor, which has now crossed over 80% physical progress earlier this week, is moving into its final construction phase, marking a decisive moment for connectivity across the extended Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With MRVC confirming rapid advancement in tunnels, bridges, stations, track work and interlocking systems, the route is set to improve suburban mobility and reduce pressure on existing lines. Industry leaders noted that the corridor, supported by MTHL, NMIA and ongoing node development, is expected to accelerate residential, commercial and plotted development demand across Panvel, Chikhale, Mohape, Chowk and Karjat.Read more

Tanzania is preparing to restart construction of the long-delayed Bagamoyo Port in December after more than a decade of postponements. Officials confirmed that equipment has begun moving to the project site, where work will start with 14 berths before expanding to 28. The port will be dredged to about 20 metres and will handle ships carrying up to 25,000 containers. The project will anchor a 9,800-hectare special economic zone linked by rail and road networks. Earlier agreements had stalled, but renewed government negotiations since 2021 have moved the plan forward.Read more

Bisleri International and the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation have jointly launched a citywide plastic waste management project featuring a new Material Recovery Facility and a first-of-its-kind Plastic Recycling Museum. The initiative aims to improve plastic collection, segregation, and recycling while increasing public awareness on responsible disposal. The museum, built from recycled materials, includes exhibits explaining the recycling process and a signature installation made from 2,000 recycled bottles. The partnership also plans to place 70 recycled plastic-cap benches across the city, supporting the broader goal of reducing landfill waste and strengthening community engagement.Read more

Pictures of a surface crack on Haiderpur flyover in Delhi circulated on social media, prompting immediate action from the PWD. The department said the crack resulted from minor settlement due to box-pushing work underneath, part of the Mukarba Chowk underpass project, and assured that structural integrity remained unaffected. Repairs were completed on the same day, restoring traffic flow. This incident highlights routine surface damages during construction operations and reinforces the need for ongoing structural audits on ageing flyovers to maintain safety while supporting city infrastructure upgrades.Read more

The Union Cabinet has approved an INR 9,858 crore Phase 2 expansion of Pune Metro, adding Lines 4 and 4A, covering roughly 31.6 km with 28 elevated stations. These lines will connect key IT, commercial, educational, and residential areas across Pune. Maha?Metro will handle all construction and systems work, with preliminary surveys and design activities already underway. Daily ridership on these corridors is expected to reach 4.09 lakh by 2028 and over 11.7 lakh by 2058. The expansion aims to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and support long-term urban growth.Read more

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has initiated a major cleaning drive on busy city roads and the MIDC area to reduce dust and air pollution. Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde and Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar, all eight departments are actively participating. Roads such as Thane Belapur Marg, Amra Marg, and main MIDC streets are being cleared of accumulated soil using brooms, flipper machines, and mechanical vehicles, followed by washing with treated sewage water. Dust suppression foggers are deployed at busy intersections, and vigilance teams monitor construction and industrial sites.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has floated a tender of INR 36 crore to restart the pending section of the Thakurli elevated flyover in Dombivli, which has been stalled for nearly seven years. The remaining stretch between Thakurli Railway Phatak and Mahsoba Chowk is expected to improve traffic movement between Kalyan and Dombivli. The delay was mainly due to compensation challenges involving around 60 affected homes. With these issues recently resolved, authorities plan to move ahead with the project, which earlier saw partial completion in 2018.Read more

CAQM has lifted Stage-3 GRAP restrictions in Delhi-NCR following a slight improvement in air quality, with the 24 hour AQI at 327. Construction, demolition, and older diesel vehicle bans have been eased, and offices and schools can resume full operations. Stage-1 and Stage-2 measures remain active to sustain the modest gains and prevent pollution spikes. The decision was based on data from IMD and IITM forecasting favorable meteorological conditions. Authorities stress the need for vigilance, as seasonal and structural pollution factors continue to challenge air quality management.Read more

Laser Power & Infra has received utility project orders worth INR 836 crore from NTPC, Kanpur Electric Supply Company (KESCo) and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. The projects fall under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and involve supplying the company's in-house manufactured power cables, conductors and system-strengthening materials. KESCo awarded the largest share, followed by NTPC and JDVVNL. The company, which recently filed IPO papers to raise INR 1,200 crore, continues to expand its position in India's power distribution industry, supported by integrated manufacturing facilities in West Bengal.Read more

India's civil aviation sector received a significant push as the government highlighted its ambition to build the country into a global centre for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The Civil Aviation Minister noted that shifting MRO work to India could help save nearly USD 15 billion in foreign exchange over the coming years. With domestic airlines ordering more than 1,500 aircraft and the local MRO market projected to reach USD 4 billion by 2031, the sector is gaining strategic importance. A new Safran MRO facility, set to begin operations in 2026, is expected to strengthen India's capability further.Read more

BC Jindal Group has formalised an agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to develop a 150 MW round-the-clock renewable energy project. The capacity was secured through a reverse auction at a tariff of INR 5.07/kWh. This project forms part of SECI's larger 1,200 MW RTC renewable energy programme, for which bidding had been opened last year. The initiative reflects the company's continued participation in India's renewable energy expansion. The PPA between the two parties now sets the stage for project execution under SECI's RTC mandate.Read more

The Ministry of Power is advancing the India Energy Stack to create a unified digital platform for the country's energy sector. The taskforce reviewed the draft strategy and architecture documents to guide the development of this infrastructure. Designed as a secure, interoperable system, IES will integrate renewable energy, electric vehicles, and consumer participation while overcoming challenges from fragmented digital systems. The platform will provide unique IDs, real-time data sharing, open APIs, and tools to enhance consumer empowerment, market access, and sector-wide innovation.Read more

East Central Railway is planning smart parking hubs at six stations in the Danapur division, with a total capacity for 21,500 vehicles. Stations like Patna Junction and Danapur will have capacities ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 vehicles. The DPR, currently in preparation, includes modern amenities such as air-conditioned vending halls, escalators, lifts, WiFi, digital payments, real-time tracking, and CCTV surveillance. The initiative aims to address growing passenger and vehicle traffic, reduce congestion near stations, and provide organised, safer, and convenient parking solutions.Read more

Raigad district authorities have imposed a time-bound ban on heavy vehicles along the Mandwa Jetty-Alibag coastal road to reduce accidents and ease congestion. The restriction applies daily from 8 am-12 pm and 4 pm-8 pm, with exemptions for essential goods carriers and emergency vehicles. The narrow road, frequented by tourists and construction vehicles, has seen rising accidents. Weekend congestion and ferry traffic from Mumbai have worsened safety risks. Officials expect the move to improve road safety for students, local commuters, and tourists while easing traffic flow.Read more

Andhra Pradesh has approved AP-LInC, a dedicated logistics corporation that will coordinate ports, airports, roads, inland waterways and cold-storage facilities under one system to reduce logistics cost and improve efficiency. The corporation will operate as a government holding company once a managing director is appointed and will focus on investment, infrastructure upgrades and better connectivity. District-level logistics cells will also be set up to support development in smaller and remote regions. The move fits into the state's wider plan to strengthen industrial growth and improve its transport network.Read more

Maharashtra Metro Railway Corporation (Maha?Metro) is preparing to issue tenders for five elevated stations on the Thane Internal Ring Metro Railway Project (IRMRP). This construction covers a 6 kilometre stretch including Dongripada, Vijay Nagari, Waghbil, Waterfront, and Patlipada stations, with a potential sixth station at Manpada or Kashinath Ghanekar depending on land availability. Officials aim to start partial operations on this stretch before the full corridor is ready. The larger 29 km, 22 station project, costing around INR 12,200 crore, is backed by the state and central governments with plans for additional revenue through asset monetisation.Read more

The Asian Development Bank has sanctioned a USD 400 million results-based lending program to improve road connectivity across 34 districts in Maharashtra, focusing on the climate-sensitive and economically lagging Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. The initiative will benefit over 1.7 million people, including residents of around 80 villages and 410 rural communities, by upgrading nearly 350 km of state highways and 2,577 km of rural roads. The project aims to link rural areas to markets, logistics hubs, healthcare, education, and other essential services while promoting inclusive economic growth.Read more

The Central Government has amended the Delhi Development Authority's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy, expanding the definition of the 'TOD Zone' through a gazette notification issued earlier this week. The revised zone will now cover a 500-metre corridor on both sides of existing and planned Metro routes, as well as around major transit hubs such as RRTS stations. This marks a broader catchment than earlier provisions and is intended to support integrated urban development with residential, commercial and mixed-use projects near transit. The change modifies Chapter 20 of the Master Plan for Delhi-2021, with the DDA inviting public objections or suggestions within 45 days of the notice.Read more