The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faces challenges in its ambitious road concreting project, with penalties exceeding Rs 82 crore imposed on contractors due to delays. Roadway Solutions India Infra bears the largest share of Rs 54.1 crore in penalties for roadwork in the island city. The project, covering 890 stretches on 110 roads, totalling 397 kilometres, lacks clear completion percentages, raising concerns. BMC plans to deduct fines from ongoing invoices, with contractors holding a 1% security deposit to offset penalties. Following a termination notice to Roadway Solutions, the BMC may consider an ex-parte termination order. The project's future is uncertain, sparking political debates and concerns.Read more

A new Foot Over Bridge (FOB) was inaugurated at Kurla Station on November 4, 2023, marking the sixth addition to Kurla's FOB network. Costing approximately Rs 10.62 crore, this bridge boasts a width of 8.00m and a length of 79.85m with 44 columns and 4 spans to accommodate a large number of passengers. The FOB features five strategically located staircases, a Skywalk of 13.61 x 4.00m, and is expected to alleviate overcrowding and enhance passenger flow at Kurla Station. This development aims to improve Mumbai's public transportation network and enhance the daily commute experience for thousands of passengers.Read more

India and Bhutan have agreed to enhance regional connectivity, focusing on projects like a 58-km cross-border rail link connecting Gelephu and Kokrajhar in Assam and an 18-km rail link between Samtse in Bhutan and Banarhat in West Bengal. This collaboration aligns with Bhutan's plan for a smart city at Gelephu, boosting trade and tourism between the two countries. Additionally, the Darranga-Samdrup Jongkhar border crossing was designated as an immigration check post, promoting smoother travel and facilitating exchanges with Bangladesh. These initiatives are expected to support Bhutan's economic growth and create employment opportunities.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a strong message to more than 100 contractors and real estate firms in Mumbai, warning them to strictly adhere to dust mitigation norms or face punitive measures. As the city grapples with deteriorating air quality, the BMC issued a new set of guidelines, giving builders and contractors one month to acquire essential equipment to combat air pollution. The move is part of a comprehensive effort to enhance Mumbai's Air Quality Index (AQI).Read more

The BMC's K west ward in Mumbai demolished 45 unauthorised structures, allowing the Metro 6 project to progress. This initiative not only promises to enhance connectivity but also addresses traffic congestion and waterlogging issues. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to further improve civic amenities, facilitating urban planning. With these infrastructure projects, Mumbai is determined to overcome challenges, enhance public transportation, and elevate the quality of life for its residents. This progress sets an inspiring precedent for cities globally.Read more

The revenue department in Kochi has issued an 11(1) notification for land acquisition for five metro stations on the Phase II line of the Kochi Metro, with two more notifications expected soon. The proposed stations at Palarivattom Junction, Kakkanad, Cochin SEZ, Chittethukara, and Kinfra will require the acquisition of 0.9544 hectares of land from Edappally South and Kakkanad villages. KMRL aims to create eco-friendly, modern architectural designs for the stations. Construction work is planned to be expedited, with a precast method for station construction. There are some concerns about the proximity of the St Michael's Church to the metro alignment which had earlier led to protests.Read more

The Pune metro extension to Nigdi, a project worth over Rs 900 crore, has received the Union government's approval and is set to begin work in February. The extension, covering 4.4 km, will connect Chinchwad, Akurdi, and Nigdi. The project does not require any major land parcel, except for the stations, due to its alignment along the existing Pune-Mumbai highway median. The viaduct will extend from PCMC station to Chinchwad, with discussions to determine station locations and land requirements in coordination with the PCMC. This extension will benefit industrial workers in Chinchwad and Akurdi, as well as students traveling to Nigdi and Akurdi. Some commuters express disappointment at the three-year wait for these metro services.Read more

The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration in Noida will enforce GRAP III as invoked by CAQM amid deteriorating air quality, implementing a strict ban on construction activities across Noida and Greater Noida. The ban excludes essential works but covers all others, following CAQM guidelines. Violations recorded in October led to penalties of approximately Rs 89 lakh. The main contributors to pollution in Noida are construction and road-side dust, along with vehicular emissions. The Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuated between "very poor" and "severe". Measures like an odd-even scheme and road rationing have been proposed to combat the issue.Read more

In Trichy, a resolution was passed to allocate 14.1 acres of land in Panjapur near the Trichy-Madurai national highway for the construction of Tidel Park. The previous allotment of 8.9 acres was cancelled to accommodate the Tidel management's request for a larger land parcel to build a mega office space for IT and ITES companies near the upcoming integrated bus terminus (IBT). The Trichy corporation has agreed to transfer ownership of the land to Tidel Park Limited at a cost of Rs. 282 per sqft. The construction is expected to begin in March 2024. Additionally, the council approved road improvements at the Central bus stand.Read more

Nagpur District Collector Vipin Itankar conducted a meeting to expedite the land acquisition process for the second phase of the Nagpur Metro project. The meeting addressed several pending land acquisition proposals and emphasised the need for timely planning to avoid delays. Itankar instructed the revenue department to ensure prompt disposal of all acquisition proposals and encouraged better coordination between the revenue department and the Metro for quicker results. Additionally, discussions with the defence department about land issues on Wardha Road were urged. The Metro project aims for completion by 2024 but has been hindered by lingering land acquisition proposals.Read more