Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Verma carried out a detailed inspection of the Srinagar-Baramulla section under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. He was accompanied by senior officials, including the Divisional Railway Manager of the Jammu division. The team reviewed passenger facilities, station preparedness, train operations and overall safety arrangements across nearly all stations in the 60-kilometre stretch. Verma also inspected the goods terminal at Anantnag and emphasised the need for quality work, timely progress and strict adherence to safety standards.Read more

The BMC has proposed a 4.24 km elevated corridor along LBS Marg to ease traffic between Kurla West and Ghatkopar West. The flyover, starting near Kalpana Talkies and ending near Pankhe Shah Baba Dargah, will include a 3.91 km main stretch, ramps at both ends and three connecting arms for smoother entry and exit. Designed as a four-lane, 16.5-metre-wide structure using steel girders and an RCC deck, it aims to bypass chronic bottlenecks near the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, Ghatkopar station and Sant Narsi Mehta Road. With Metro works and other bridges in the area, VJTI will oversee technical planning. Estimated at INR 1,635 crore, the project is expected to take four years.Read more

NHAI has released details of 55 National Highways projects covering about 2,269 km, with a total estimated cost of INR 1,19,359 crore. The authority has invited bids and published all project information on its website to enhance transparency in the award process. By placing approval stages, clearance status and key updates in the public domain, NHAI aims to create a level playing field for bidders and strengthen public-private partnerships. The authority will update the project data every two weeks, helping stakeholders track progress and submit more informed bids. The initiative is expected to reduce disputes, improve clarity and attract wider participation from contractors and developers.Read more

AeroNero and Bengaluru Airport City Limited have signed a term sheet to set up the AeroNero Innovation Hub and Corporate Showcase at Kempegowda International Airport. The hub will demonstrate and test deep-tech air-to-water systems such as Bubble, Drizzle, Thunder, AirWell and AQUAIR, which produce potable water from atmospheric moisture using condensation, desiccation and hybrid renewable energy. AeroNero said the partnership marks a major step toward advancing sustainable, climate-resilient water solutions. Bengaluru Airport City noted that the hub aligns with its vision for a smart, deep-tech urban ecosystem. The centre will also serve as a multi-stakeholder platform, supporting research, collaboration and real-world validation within the airport's sustainability-focused environment.Read more

Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta announced updated names for three metro stations in the Pitampura-Haiderpur belt as part of the Phase IV expansion of the Delhi Metro network. The existing Pitampura station will be renamed Madhuban Chowk, the upcoming QU Block station will be North Pitampura-Prashant Vihar, and the planned Pitampura North station will be called Haiderpur Village. She said the changes are intended to make travel easier and more locally relevant. The announcement was made during a yatra held to honour the Rezang La battle martyrs. Alongside the renaming, she also reviewed ongoing area-wide road and underpass works.Read more

Ambaji's celebrated white marble, sourced from the sacred pilgrimage site and Shaktipeeth in Gujarat, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag earlier this week, marking a significant recognition of its purity, durability and historic value. The registration, granted by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, formally acknowledges the stone's unique qualities linked to its place of origin. Officials and industry representatives noted that the GI tag is expected to strengthen Ambaji marble's global identity, enhance its demand in international markets, and support the growth of local quarrying and artisanal communities.Read more

IRB Infrastructure Trust has secured a significant toll operate and transfer mandate from the National Highways Authority of India, agreeing to an upfront payment of INR 9,270 crore. The award covers a 366-km stretch across the Lucknow-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur corridor on NH-27 and part of the Lucknow-Varanasi corridor on NH-731, forming a crucial component of NHAI's ongoing asset monetisation strategy. The project has been granted for a revenue-linked concession period of 20 years. IRB Infrastructure Developers, which manages the private InvIT, highlighted the strategic importance of this religious tourism corridor in strengthening its national footprint.Read more

The Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is moving towards becoming a key transshipment hub for India, with officials noting that it is gradually positioning itself to handle cargo that currently moves through ports such as Singapore, Colombo, Salalah and Dubai. The port's location near major international shipping routes and its strong road, rail and air connectivity give it a significant operational advantage. Officials noted that once the port attains full capacity, it is expected to offer notable savings in ship and navigation costs for Indian cargo. The project aims to strengthen India's presence in global maritime trade.Read more

India and Nepal have formalized a direct rail link along the Jogbani-Biratnagar route for containerised and bulk cargo. The agreement, executed through a Letter of Exchange amending the Treaty of Transit, allows goods to move from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports to Nepal's Morang District customs yard. Key corridors, including Kolkata-Jogbani and Visakhapatnam-Nautanwa, are included, aiming to boost multi-modal trade and Nepal's commerce with third countries. The deal underscores India's role as Nepal's largest trade partner and is expected to reinforce economic and commercial ties.Read more

Recent state transport data revealed a contrasting trend in road fatalities across Maharashtra's two major expressways. Deaths on the Samruddhi Mahamarg rose 16%, increasing from 92 to 107 between January and September, while fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway dropped 29%, from 72 to 51. Officials attributed the difference to stricter monitoring, better infrastructure, and safety measures on the Mumbai-Pune route. In contrast, the Samruddhi stretch lacks advanced surveillance, has fewer amenities for heavy vehicles, and faces safety issues due to its design and driving conditions.Read more