17 Mar 2026

Electricity demand from India's expanding data centre sector is projected to reach 13.56 gigawatts (GW) by 2031-32, according to information provided by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in Parliament. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada stated that national data centre capacity has grown significantly in recent years, rising from about 375 megawatts (MW) in 2020 to roughly 1,500 MW by 2025. The anticipated surge in power demand reflects the rapid growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure and large-scale data processing facilities across the country. The government indicated that this rising energy requirement is already being factored into national power planning, while initiatives under the AI compute capacity framework are also expanding access to computing resources for startups, researchers and academic institutions.Read more

Gurugram News Desk

17 Mar 2026

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Gurugram, carried out a demolition drive targeting several illegal colonies and unauthorised structures across multiple locations in the city as part of its enforcement action against unapproved real estate developments. During the operation conducted in the past week, officials demolished colonies and early-stage construction works in areas including Sadhrana village, Bhondsi and Sector 89. Structures removed during the drive included damp-proof course foundations, boundary walls, partially constructed buildings and internal road networks created to support illegal plotting activities. The enforcement action, supported by local police, is aimed at preventing unauthorised colonies being carved out on agricultural land without planning approval and curbing misleading plot sales to unsuspecting buyers. Authorities said such colonies typically lack civic infrastructure and violate planning regulations, and warned that strict action will continue against illegal development activities in Gurugram.Read more

17 Mar 2026

GMR Airports Ltd has secured the concession to upgrade, modernise and operate Cargo Terminal 1 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi following a competitive bidding process conducted by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL). The development comes nearly ten months after DIAL terminated its cargo concession agreement with Turkish firm Celebi under directions from the civil aviation ministry. According to a regulatory filing, the project will be implemented under a revenue-share arrangement with DIAL and will run until 2036. The company estimated a revenue share payment of around INR 340 crore to DIAL during the first full year of operations. GMR Airports had been handling cargo terminal operations on an interim basis since the termination of the earlier concession agreement, ensuring continuity of services at the country's busiest airport.Read more

17 Mar 2026

Shipwaves Online has secured a logistics digitalisation order worth INR 15.6 million from Hindalco Industries. The contract involves implementing digital solutions aimed at improving logistics management and operational efficiency within Hindalco's supply chain. The move highlights the growing adoption of technology-driven systems by large manufacturing companies to streamline freight tracking, documentation, and logistics coordination. Hindalco, one of India's major metals producers and part of the Aditya Birla Group, has been increasingly focusing on digital transformation across its operations. The project is expected to support more transparent and efficient logistics processes within the company's supply network.Read more

17 Mar 2026

The Telangana government has initiated plans to develop ring roads around major district headquarters as part of a broader strategy to improve road connectivity and reduce congestion within urban centres. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials from the Roads and Buildings Department to prepare feasibility studies and detailed plans for the proposed corridors during a recent review meeting on road infrastructure. The proposed ring roads are intended to link district headquarters with nearby national and state highways while diverting through-traffic away from city cores. Officials have been asked to examine existing road alignments that could be integrated into the ring road network and prepare comprehensive proposals under the state's long-term road sector development strategy. The initiative forms part of Telangana's wider efforts to strengthen inter-district connectivity and support economic activity through improved transport infrastructure.Read more

17 Mar 2026

Gera Developments has appointed Rajesh Yashwant Shirwatkar as its new Chief Financial Officer to strengthen the company's financial leadership as it expands its real estate operations. Shirwatkar will oversee financial planning, strategy, treasury, compliance, and governance. At the same time, Swapan Mukherjee has been elevated to the position of Group Chief Financial Officer and will supervise financial operations across the broader organisation. The leadership changes are aimed at strengthening the company's financial structure and improving oversight as the Pune-based developer continues to scale its residential development portfolio.Read more

17 Mar 2026

Several flyovers across Delhi are showing visible signs of structural deterioration, including cracks on road surfaces, potholes, damaged expansion joints and general wear caused by ageing infrastructure and heavy traffic loads. Authorities have identified at least 17 flyovers across the capital that require repair and maintenance to address safety concerns. Many of these elevated structures were built more than two decades ago as rapid interventions to ease congestion at key intersections and corridors. Over time, increased traffic volumes, delayed maintenance and ageing construction components have contributed to their current condition. Engineers and officials have indicated that repairs, inspections and structural audits will be required to maintain commuter safety and ensure the continued functioning of these transport links, which carry a substantial share of the city's daily vehicular movement.Read more

Indore News Desk

17 Mar 2026

The Indore Municipal Corporation is implementing an INR 416 crore river rejuvenation project to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Kanh river, a tributary that ultimately feeds into the Kshipra river in Ujjain. The initiative is being undertaken under the Namami Gange programme to ensure improved water quality ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in 2028, which is expected to draw millions of pilgrims. The project includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, installation of new sewer networks using trenchless technology, and monitoring infrastructure to manage wastewater flows across the city. Civic authorities are accelerating construction and have directed contractors to increase labour and machinery deployment where progress has lagged. The project is intended to stop polluted discharge from Indore's waterways so that cleaner water flows into the Kshipra during the large-scale religious gathering.Read more

17 Mar 2026

A quarterly meeting of the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) was recently conducted at the headquarters of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority in Rayapudi to review complaints and operational issues related to ongoing development works in the capital region. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Collector and Grievance Redressal Mechanism nodal officer P. Jayashree and attended by grievance officers and member secretaries from various committees. Discussions focused on labour welfare, wage-related complaints, safety awareness for residents and students, and compliance with traffic and operational guidelines at project sites across Amaravati.Read more

16 Mar 2026

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has approved a proposal to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at major road junctions, municipal parking spaces and other high-footfall locations across the city. The decision was taken during a recent municipal council meeting chaired by Mayor Rayana Bhagya Lakshmi, with civic officials stating that the initiative aims to support the growing adoption of electric mobility in Vijayawada. The project will identify suitable locations across the city where EV charging infrastructure can be installed to serve private vehicle owners, commercial fleets and public transport users. Authorities indicated that the rollout will align with national and state programmes promoting electric mobility, including the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT and the FAME India scheme. The initiative is intended to strengthen urban charging infrastructure and facilitate wider EV adoption within the city's transport network.Read more

Chennai News Desk

16 Mar 2026

Chennai has introduced a premium low-floor electric air-conditioned bus service operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), marking a new category of reserved-seat urban public transport in the city. The service, launched in the past week by Tamil Nadu's Transport and Electricity Minister S. S. Sivasankar, begins operations with electric buses running on two major routes linking key transport nodes and the IT corridor. Initial services include Route P91 connecting Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, with Thiruvanmiyur, and Route P570S between Koyambedu's Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and Siruseri IT Park. The premium buses require advance seat reservations through a mobile application and do not permit standing passengers. Authorities stated that the initiative aims to offer a more comfortable and predictable commuting option while encouraging a shift from private vehicles to cleaner public transport modes.Read more

16 Mar 2026

The government is reconsidering tenders for 1 GW of wind energy projects due to lower than expected industry interest and rising steel prices, a crucial material for project construction. MNRE is engaging with the World Bank and think tanks to create a roadmap for investment in wind energy. Alongside, the ministry is preparing a new policy to promote small hydro projects up to 25 MW. Financial assistance for solar component manufacturing, such as ingots and wafers, is also under consideration, reflecting a comprehensive approach to boost renewable energy development in India.Read more

16 Mar 2026

The Punjab government has earmarked INR 1,000 crore in the state budget to strengthen urban infrastructure through the Municipal Development Fund (MDF), marking a substantial increase from the previous allocation. The funding will be made available to urban local bodies across the state to support the creation and upgrading of civic infrastructure such as roads, water supply systems, sewerage networks, drainage, sanitation and solid waste management. State officials indicated that the enhanced allocation is intended to help municipalities address growing pressure on civic services caused by urban population growth and expanding city limits. A portion of the fund will also be used for the operation and maintenance of water supply and sewerage infrastructure to ensure continued service delivery. The initiative forms part of Punjab's broader urban development strategy aimed at improving municipal infrastructure and service efficiency.Read more

16 Mar 2026

Visakhapatnam Port Authority has achieved a milestone, handling over 85 million tonnes of cargo in 345 days, the highest in its 92-year history. The port aims to reach 90 million tonnes this year and 100 million tonnes in 2026-27, reflecting strong operational growth. Alongside cargo achievements, the VPA has launched a major three-year dredging and beach nourishment project worth nearly INR 83 crore to support coastline conservation and prevent erosion at key areas, including RK Beach, in coordination with the state government.Read more

16 Mar 2026

Maharashtra is reviewing the inclusion of first floor slum residents in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes, addressing a long-standing gap where only ground floor occupants are currently eligible. State minister Shambhuraj Desai said the matter will be discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers. Lawmakers highlighted that many families have lived on first floors for decades, and excluding them could affect the city's slum free objectives. Officials also noted that agreements between builders and these residents are not legally enforceable under current rules.Read more

16 Mar 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised the FASTag Annual Pass fee to INR 3,075 for the financial year 2026-27, increasing the charge by INR 75 from the current INR 3,000. The revised rate will come into effect from April 1 and applies to eligible non-commercial vehicles using national highways and expressways. Introduced in August 2025, the annual pass allows private vehicle owners to make toll payments through a one-time annual fee covering either one year of usage or up to 200 toll plaza crossings. The facility is currently available across approximately 1,150 toll plazas on national highways and national expressways and has been adopted by more than 56 lakh users. The revision has been implemented in accordance with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.Read more

16 Mar 2026

Services on a newly opened stretch of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation network were disrupted after signalling cables were stolen from the track section between Bhalswa and Majlis Park. Nearly 1,000 metres of cable were removed, affecting the signalling system and forcing trains to run at restricted speeds, leading to delays for commuters. The corridor had become operational only days earlier as part of the Delhi Metro expansion. Police arrested one suspect and recovered burnt cable pieces during the investigation, while authorities began restoration work and increased surveillance along vulnerable sections of the route.Read more

16 Mar 2026

ACME Solar Holdings subsidiary has secured two long-term power purchase agreements with SJVN for 450 MW of dispatchable renewable energy. The projects, awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding, will connect to ISTS substations and utilize night-time solar capabilities in Rajasthan. ACME Solar will provide four hours of guaranteed peak power during non-solar periods with high availability. This latest agreement adds to 1,690 MW of PPAs signed in the current financial year, taking the company's total signed capacity to 6,270 MW.Read more

Delhi News Desk

16 Mar 2026

The Delhi government is preparing to introduce a Green Budget for the financial year 2026-27 to integrate environmental priorities into its fiscal planning. The initiative aims to track public spending related to pollution control, clean energy, water conservation and biodiversity protection across various departments. By mapping such expenditures, the government intends to improve transparency and ensure that sustainability initiatives receive focused funding. The move comes as Delhi continues to face severe air pollution and rising urban pressures. Officials believe the framework will help guide future investment decisions and strengthen the city's long-term environmental planning.Read more

16 Mar 2026

VOC Port Authority has proactively expanded container storage by 90,000 square meters to manage potential disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis. While the additional space remains unused for now, the port continues smooth operations. The government's focus on developing India as a shipbuilding and ship recycling hub is expected to strengthen resource efficiency. VOC Port, one of India's oldest ports with significant cargo handling capacity, anticipates robust container traffic growth in the coming years.Read more