The Delhi government is expanding its use of nine-metre electric buses to address congestion and narrow road conditions across the city. Officials have already ordered 2,800 e-buses, with half of them being nine-metre units, and the next purchase plan includes 1,200 more buses, of which 800 will be the compact ones. These smaller buses cost around INR 1 crore each, compared with INR 1.5 crore for a 12-metre bus, and offer better manoeuvrability. The decision aligns with Delhi's wider plan to upgrade its fleet, enhance last-mile reach, and shift steadily toward electric mobility.Read more

The Centre has approved two rail infrastructure projects worth INR 2,781 crore aimed at improving connectivity in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The plan includes doubling the 141-km Okha-Kanalus line and adding the 3rd and 4th tracks along the 32-km Badlapur-Karjat stretch. Together, the works will add around 224 km to the rail network and support nearly 585 villages with a population of about 3.2 million. The projects are expected to ease freight movement, meet rising suburban demand and contribute to reduced emissions through improved network efficiency.Read more

Maple Infrastructure Trust has acquired five toll road assets from Ashoka Concessions Limited and associated entities, adding over 2,100 lane kilometres to its existing portfolio. This expands the trust's holdings from two assets covering 1,212 lane kilometres to seven assets totaling 3,328 lane kilometres, marking a 1.7-fold growth. The acquired roads span West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, including the strategically important Dhankuni-Kharagpur toll road in West Bengal. These projects lie along key economic corridors such as the Golden Quadrilateral and the East-West Corridor, enhancing connectivity and supporting trade.Read more

CMRL is planning to introduce 28 six-car trains by 2028 to increase capacity on its main corridors. These trains will carry up to 1,800 passengers, reducing waiting times and easing peak-hour congestion. Current monthly ridership exceeds one crore, with further growth expected due to Phase I extensions and Phase II development. Stations are prepared for longer trains, with upgrades like platform screen doors planned. The trains will be built domestically and equipped with technology for future driverless operation, addressing both immediate and long-term commuter needs.Read more

The Gorakhpur-Pilibhit Express has now been extended to Izzatnagar in Bareilly, strengthening rail connectivity across eastern and northern Uttar Pradesh. The extension was launched virtually by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Minister of State Jitin Prasada. Officials said the new link will support commuters, farmers, students, and traders across the Terai region. The service, which earlier operated only up to Pilibhit, will now run on a longer route but will discontinue its earlier stretch between Daliganj Junction and Lucknow Junction. The move aligns with ongoing railway upgrades across the state.Read more

Kolkata Metro has announced extended weekday operations on the Purple Line, increasing services from 80 to 84 and expanding operating hours from 6.40 am to 9.26 pm. The first train will depart Joka at 6.40 am and Majherhat at 7.03 am, with the last trains leaving at 9.05 pm and 9.26 pm respectively. Officials said the earlier start and later close will benefit commuters using Eastern Railway's Majherhat station by improving interchange options. Weekend timings remain unchanged, with services running only on Saturdays. The 7.75-km Joka-Majherhat stretch will eventually connect to Esplanade, where the Purple Line will integrate with the Blue and Green lines to enhance central Kolkata's connectivity.Read more

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has deployed 82 anti-smog guns across its construction sites as part of its dust-control measures. The agency has also made these machines mandatory in all civil contractor agreements. This development came in the same period when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi issued fines worth INR 3.8 lakh over alleged violations on a stretch near Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, which DMRC contested, stating that only a small section of that road falls under its work. The initiative aligns with Delhi's updated rules for anti-smog systems at large commercial buildings.Read more

Bihar Chief Shri Minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the Danapur-Bihta elevated corridor and the Sherpur-Dighwara Ganga bridge this week and asked officials to speed up the remaining work. Authorities briefed him that construction on both projects is progressing without major hurdles. The Danapur-Bihta corridor is planned to improve access between Patna, NH-922, Koilwar bridge and the upcoming Bihta International Airport. The Sherpur-Dighwara bridge will link with JP Ganga Path, offering a smoother route towards Chhapra, Siwan, Gopalganj and Hajipur, helping reduce traffic inside Patna.Read more

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is developing a new rating mechanism to evaluate contractor performance across National Highways projects. A concept note proposes classifying contracts into three value tiers-from INR 100-300 crore, INR 300-1,000 crore, and above INR 1,000 crore-with ratings conducted annually. EPC and HAM projects will be assessed together, while BOT projects will be rated separately due to differing risk structures. Joint venture partners with over 26% stake will share the project's rating, and contractors involved in multiple projects will receive consolidated scores. MoRTH has invited feedback within 21 days, continuing its push for greater transparency, digital oversight and accountability in highway development.Read more

Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation has drawn up a proposal for a 3 km network of underground pedestrian tunnels to improve connectivity at the Science Centre (Worli) and BKC stations of Metro Line 3. The plan includes a 1.4 km tunnel linking BKC station with the upcoming bullet train terminal, and two tunnels at Worli measuring 1.1 km and 500 m. Each tunnel will be around 5 metres wide and will include escalators and elevators. The INR 250 crore project will be funded by MMRC and BMC, supported by TOD incentives, and is targeted for completion by 2029-30.Read more