The Mission PoWaR initiative in Odisha, announced earlier this week, is designed to deliver uninterrupted electricity supply, safe drinking water and last-mile road connectivity to all villages by March 2027. The programme will be driven through an inter-ministerial committee and regular status reports from district collectors. With the target revised after earlier deadlines were missed, the mission adopts the guiding principles of speed, scale and standard to address longstanding gaps in rural infrastructure.Read more

The Director General of Police, O P Singh, of Haryana has written to the central ministry and state PWD authorities emphasising prompt engineering intervention at 251 remaining accident-prone locations in the state. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the state identified 474 black spots, of which 223 have already been rectified, leaving 251 pending. Haryana recorded nearly 4,000 road-accident deaths between January and October this year, which the DGP noted was five times higher than the number of murders during the same period. The effort is part of a larger preventive policing drive involving data analysis, inter-departmental coordination and infrastructure upgrades.Read more

NCRTC has launched India's first solar-on-track initiative at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai, installing 28 solar panels along a 70-metre track stretch. With a total capacity of 15.4 kWp, the system is expected to generate 17,500 kWh annually and reduce 16 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. The project utilizes idle track space to support NCRTC's net-zero carbon goals. Combined with rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment, and regenerative braking systems, the initiative strengthens sustainable operations in urban transit.Read more

Tata Projects has announced that the Noida International Airport in Jewar is close to becoming operational, with DGCA approvals still in process. CEO Vinayak Pai said the airport could start operations shortly. The company is expanding its portfolio in sectors such as semiconductors, solar panels, and data centres, aiming to maintain an order book of INR 40,000-43,000 crore. Despite a net loss of INR 751 crore last year due to Covid-era projects, older projects are being completed, and new ventures are expected to drive profitability in the coming year.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a tender worth INR 166?crore for the upcoming Mulund Bird Park, with four companies submitting bids and construction expected to start by December this year. Spread over 17?acres near the Johnson & Johnson factory in Nahur, the park will house more than 200 bird species in four themed zones tropical, African, Australian and aquatic. Facilities will include a veterinary clinic, breeding centre, amphitheatre, kids zone, food-court and parking. After earlier delays due to limited bidders, the BMC is targeting contract finalisation by October.Read more

The success of Mumbai's Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) has encouraged authorities to plan a series of large-scale underground infrastructure projects worth around INR 40,000 crore across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Agencies including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) are preparing to execute these tunnel-based projects to improve connectivity while reducing land acquisition and environmental impact. Together, these initiatives will include more than 60 km of tunnels across key corridors.Read more

Madhya Pradesh is strengthening its renewable energy sector with the inauguration of three compressed biogas plants in Bhopal, Indore, and Satna. The units, set up by Reliance Green Energy, convert agricultural and organic waste into clean fuel, reducing pollution and stubble burning. CM Shri Mohan Yadav emphasized the importance of private participation in making the state a green energy hub. The plants will collectively produce 45,000 tons of biogas annually, cut 17,000 tons of carbon emissions, and create over 250 jobs, contributing to India's net zero carbon goals.Read more

Rajasthan has achieved over 1 lakh rooftop solar installations under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with installations growing to more than 10,000 per month. Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur discoms account for 33,922, 32,957, and 33,378 installations respectively, totaling 408 MW of capacity. Subsidies worth up to INR 78,000 have been credited to over 86,000 consumers. Rajasthan now ranks fifth nationally in rooftop solar adoption. Simplified procedures, awards, and exemption of upfront charges have significantly boosted participation under the scheme.Read more

India and Bhutan officially brought the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP II) into full operation. The project is located in Bhutan's Wangdue Phodrang district and was implemented under a bilateral pact between the two countries. India provided funding with 30% as grant and 70% as loan, and the plant will export all surplus power to India. The completed facility boosts Bhutan's installed hydropower capacity by around 40% and continues a long-standing energy partnership.Read more

The Central Government has approved 1,000 electric buses for Pune under the PM E-DRIVE initiative, aimed at improving the city's public transport network and cutting emissions. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMPML), which currently operates about 2,000 buses 750 owned directly and the rest through contractors had submitted the proposal. Officials note that a fleet of at least 3,000 buses is needed to meet the city's growing demand. The approval follows persistent coordination between state and central authorities and complements the ongoing Pune Metro expansion.Read more