The Construction Federation of India (CFI) recently hosted its Flagship Conference 2025 in New Delhi under the theme "Redefining India's Infrastructure Growth: Next-Gen Solutions for a Viksit Bharat." The event brought together policymakers, infrastructure experts, global institutions, and business leaders to explore solutions to sectoral challenges such as delivery predictability, sustainability, financing, and safety. Three high-powered panels tackled topics ranging from energy transition and infrastructure planning to Industry 4.0 and semiconductor manufacturing. The event concluded with the announcement of a white paper that will further push for policy reforms to align infrastructure growth with national aspirations.Read more

MMRCL has partnered with India Retail Hub Private Limited (IRHPL) to set up branded retail outlets, restaurants, offices, lounges, and food zones at Kotak-BKC and CSMIA-T2 stations along the Metro 3 corridor. This move comes as daily ridership jumped 114%-from about 24,500 to over 52,600-after a new stretch opened in May. IRHPL, known for its work in airport retail, will bring global brands and in-house labels to 32,000 sq. ft. of space across 35 locations within the two stations. This strategy follows a global trend of integrating retail into transport hubs, boosting commuter convenience and generating extra revenue for metro operators.Read more

The RailTrans Expo 2025 was inaugurated in the capital this week by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Urban Infra Group. With the theme centred around "Viksit Bharat @2047 - Rail & Mobility for a Developed India", the event assembled key voices from government, industry, and academia. Speakers underscored the pivotal role of Indian Railways in shaping the nation's economic and sustainable transformation, with particular focus on digital infrastructure, talent development, green innovation, and global benchmarking.Read more

Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel and similar infrastructure projects in the state within a three-year timeframe. During a recent review meeting, he insisted on fast-tracking rehabilitation efforts for displaced families, acquiring forest clearances, and expediting work on the Borivali-end. The 11.84-km tunnel, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, is set to slash travel time from over an hour to just 15 minutes. With an estimated cost of INR 12,057 crore, the project also promises substantial fuel savings and a sharp cut in carbon emissions.Read more

Rapido has partnered with the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to introduce metro ticket booking through its app. As part of this initiative, the company will provide first-time users a free ride and offer fixed-fare rides to and from metro stations for INR 25. Initially rolled out at 30 Delhi metro stations, the service will include designated pick-up and drop-off points. Rapido, which already facilitates metro ticketing in Kochi and Chennai, claims to serve over 8 lakh daily users, 40% of whom are women drivers.Read more

At a recent MCCI webinar, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India is poised to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027 and achieve a USD 5 trillion economy within three years. Highlighting India's transformation from the 'fragile five' to a top-five global economy, he credited resilient macroeconomic policies, strong banking systems, and low inflation. Emphasising decisive action during global uncertainty, he outlined the government's vision for 'Viksit Bharat 2047' with honest, inclusive, and sustainable growth. He praised India's youth-driven aspirations and reiterated the government's commitment to good governance, innovation, and international collaboration, while commending MCCI's century-old role in shaping industry policy.Read more

Chembur is swiftly emerging as one of Mumbai's most promising growth corridors, propelled by the soon-to-be-operational Metro Line 2B that connects DN Nagar to Mandale. Spanning 23.6 km with 20 stations, this corridor enhances the suburb's accessibility to key business hubs and integrates it with Mumbai's wider infrastructure web. Supported by major road and rail networks, Chembur's mobility appeal is attracting homebuyers and investors alike. Property rates have already appreciated by 8% in the past year, and with Phase 1 of the metro nearing completion, a further price increase of 15-20% is anticipated.Read more

The Maharashtra government has released a draft of updated rules for co-operative housing societies, aiming to simplify governance, enhance transparency, and modernise procedures. Key changes include doubling the registration fee to INR 5,000, equal maintenance charges for all flats, and reduced penal interest on dues from 21% to 12%. A new provisional member category allows nominees of deceased members to vote until ownership is officially transferred. Societies must maintain multiple dedicated funds and can now secure redevelopment loans up to 10 times the land value. Virtual meetings are permitted, and commercial shops gain formal participation rights. The reforms will impact over 1.25 lakh societies statewide.Read more

Housing sales in India's top nine cities fell below 1 lakh units for the first time since Q3 2021, with 94,864 units sold in April-June 2024-a 19% drop year-on-year, says PropEquity. New launches also fell 30% to 82,027 units. Cities like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Hyderabad, and Navi Mumbai saw steep declines, while Bengaluru and Kolkata had milder drops. Delhi-NCR and Chennai bucked the trend with sales rising 16% and 9%, respectively. Analysts suggest the slowdown signals a market correction, with developers cautious amid unsold inventory and changing buyer behaviour. The trend reflects an evolving landscape in India's post-pandemic housing market.Read more

The third edition of the Bengaluru Retail Summit, organised by the Retailers Association of India, brought together top industry voices to explore the future of retail amid a rapidly evolving market. Held in Bengaluru, the event focused on how innovation and technology are reshaping retail strategies, especially in a city known for tech-forward consumers and deep cultural roots. Key sessions revolved around omnichannel trends, digital integration, consumer behaviour, and retail transformation, with participation from leaders across Amazon India, Reliance Retail, Zivame, SNITCH, Amant' India, and Lifestyle International, among many others.Read more