Mumbai News Desk

28 Feb 2026

The BMC has launched an inquiry into the Phoenix HSBC Racquet Club amid allegations of unauthorised commercialisation of a recreational ground at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel. Citizens' group Chaka Chak Lower Parel reported that the 4,058.16 sq.m terrace, originally sanctioned as a public recreational ground, is being used as a ticketed, revenue-generating sports club managed by Bellona Hospitality Services. The complaint cites violations of the MRTP Act, MMC Act, and Development Control and Promotion Regulations, noting that such conversions limit public access and could set a precedent for reducing open spaces in Mumbai.Read more

28 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court of India has held that residents living on encroached railway land in Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani do not have any legal right over the property, which belongs to Indian Railways. While allowing authorities to proceed with infrastructure plans, the court directed the Centre and the Uttarakhand government to assess eligibility of over 5,000 affected families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 1, with officials required to submit a status report on rehabilitation steps.Read more

27 Feb 2026

The National Green Tribunal has issued notices on a petition alleging pollution caused by railway coal transport in Odisha's Talcher region. The plea claims that railway sidings serving nine open-cast coal mines are operating without mandatory consent from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board. The NGT's East Zone Bench in Kolkata has sought responses from concerned authorities within six weeks and scheduled the next hearing for April 16. The tribunal observed that the matter raises substantial environmental compliance issues that require detailed examination.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Vikram Solar and Waaree Energies have indicated that recent US countervailing duties on certain solar products from India are unlikely to have a significant financial impact on their operations. Both companies highlighted their diversified supply chains, which reduce reliance on Indian-origin cells, helping maintain continuity in their US orders. With India's Cabinet easing evacuation infrastructure, installation momentum is expected to increase. Recent major contracts, including a 378.75 MW module order from Indian Oil-NTPC Green Energy for Gujarat, reflect ongoing growth. Both firms are also planning to expand US manufacturing capacity this fiscal year.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Tata Communications and RailTel Corporation of India have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen India's digital backbone with a focus on AI-ready networks, cloud services and cybersecurity. The collaboration integrates RailTel's nationwide optical fibre network of over 63,000 route kilometres and connectivity across more than 6,000 railway stations with Tata Communications' global digital network and cloud capabilities. The move aims to enhance network resilience, enable secure and sovereign cloud adoption, and improve service delivery for government bodies, public sector units and enterprises across the country.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Apple is expanding its physical retail presence in India with a new store in Borivali, Mumbai. The outlet will be the company's sixth in the country and will operate fully on renewable energy while employing over 70 people. In parallel developments, Tata Power has introduced smart lighting and automation solutions for commercial and industrial buildings under its EZ Home initiative, targeting up to 80 per cent energy savings. Britannia has also unveiled a premium variant of its 50-50 biscuit to mark the brand's 30th anniversary.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Foreign firms, primarily from the US, have significantly shaped India's office market over the past five years, leasing 101 million sq ft for Global Capability Centres across seven major cities. GCCs now represent over a third of total office demand, evolving from cost-focused centres to innovation-driven knowledge hubs. While US tech companies' demand may stabilize, interest from EU and UK firms in engineering, BFSI, and consulting is expected to rise. Analysts predict GCCs will account for 40-50 per cent of future office leasing, including increasing presence in Tier-2 cities and co-working spaces.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Mumbai's civic body has proposed a INR 80,952.56 crore budget for 2026-27, reflecting an 8.77 per cent rise over the previous year. A key highlight is the planned deployment of INR 36,623.09 crore from fixed deposits to finance major infrastructure works. Capital expenditure forms nearly 60 per cent of the total outlay under the Mega Mumbai Makeover plan. Large allocations have been made for coastal roads, sewage treatment upgrades, road concretisation, water security and healthcare infrastructure. The BMC is also examining municipal bonds as a new funding route.Read more

Lucknow News Desk

27 Feb 2026

A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has raised concerns over construction quality and compliance in the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation project. The report found that rail tracks do not meet prescribed hardness standards, which may lead to faster wear and higher maintenance costs. It also pointed to expired safety certification, noise levels above limits, irregular payments, missing approvals and the exclusion of one planned station without required consent. The findings highlight gaps in execution, oversight and adherence to the approved Detailed Project Report.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has completed a successful diesel locomotive trial on a 13.15 km rail link connecting its coach manufacturing unit at Kazipet, Telangana, to the Indian Railways network. The new track links the facility directly to Kazipet Railway Station, enabling seamless movement of finished coaches across zones. Spread over 160 acres, the Railway Manufacturing Unit is nearing commissioning next month. The project includes key shop installations and green features such as rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient systems.Read more

27 Feb 2026

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has started using advanced Mobile Quality Control Vans to improve monitoring of National Highway projects. The pilot has been launched in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha, with plans to expand to 11 more states. These vans act as mobile laboratories equipped with non-destructive testing tools to check construction quality on-site. Test data will be uploaded to a central portal with GPS tracking. The initiative aims to strengthen supervision, improve accountability and ensure better quality outcomes in highway construction.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway will become fully operational by the end of this year, reducing travel time between the two cities to around two hours. The 260 km corridor is currently partially open. He also stated that the Delhi-Dehradun expressway is ready and has reduced travel time to two hours. The government plans to shorten the Delhi-Chennai distance by 320 km and is focusing on eco-friendly roads, hydrogen fuel stations, stricter action against erring contractors, and stronger highway connectivity with neighbouring countries.Read more

27 Feb 2026

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has opened a Maritime Heritage Museum in Tuticorin to showcase the city's long history as a trade hub, dating back to 123 AD. The museum highlights trade links, the evolution of shipping, and the legacy of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar, who opposed British shipping and established the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company. Tuticorin has historically traded pearls and spices with Rome, China, and Southeast Asia. Today, it handles a variety of cargo, with recent growth in container and overall cargo volumes, and forms part of INR 1,500 crore development projects in the region.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Makmor has signed an LoI with German company MD Aircraft GmbH to acquire 10 nine-seater electric regional aircraft, MDA1 eViator, aimed at enhancing India's regional air travel. The aircraft, designed for short take-off and landing from smaller airstrips, promises lower operating costs and near-zero emissions. Initial flight tests are planned for 2028, with certification and commercial operations by 2030. With hundreds of underutilized regional airstrips and growing connectivity demand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, India is emerging as an early market for Bengaluru-based business management consulting firm Makmor recently announced that it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with German aviation company MD Aircraft GmbH to acquire 10 electric regional passenger aircraft. The move aims to tap into the rising demand for regional air travel in India.Read more

27 Feb 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the development of a civil enclave at Srinagar airport at an estimated cost of INR 1,677 crore, marking a significant expansion of aviation infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Spread across 73.18 acres, the project includes construction of a new terminal building with a built-up area of 71,500 sq m. Once completed, the terminal is designed to handle 2,900 passengers during peak hours and support an annual capacity of 10 million passengers. The approval was announced in New Delhi following the Cabinet meeting. The government stated that the project is expected to generate employment and catalyse further investment in the region, reinforcing the role of airport-led infrastructure in supporting economic activity and regional connectivity.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Vikram Solar has secured a 378.75 MW solar module supply order from INGEL, a joint venture of Indian Oil and NTPC Green Energy, for a 600 MW solar project in Kutch, Gujarat. The order includes advanced N-TOPCon modules, known for high energy yield and reliability in utility-scale projects, with delivery expected to start in FY26. This engagement marks Vikram Solar's first large-scale collaboration with INGEL in Gujarat and reinforces the company's standing in India's strategic renewable energy market, which continues to benefit from supportive policies and strong infrastructure.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Akasa Air has become the first airline to begin commercial operations from the new integrated terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. The inaugural flight operated between Mumbai and Guwahati, marking the formal start of passenger services from the expanded facility. The terminal, inaugurated by Narendra Modi in December last year, raises the airport's annual passenger handling capacity to around 13.1 million. The development is expected to strengthen air connectivity in Assam and support growing travel demand across the Northeast.Read more

27 Feb 2026

Kerala has completed five lakh houses under its flagship LIFE Mission housing programme, marking a major milestone in its effort to eliminate homelessness. The state has spent around INR 20,831 crore on the scheme so far, largely funded by the government and local bodies. Financial assistance of INR 4 lakh is provided to general beneficiaries, while Scheduled Tribe families receive INR 6 lakh. The announcement was made at a state-level function in Thiruvananthapuram, with remaining sanctioned houses currently under construction.Read more

27 Feb 2026

The Government of India has launched an offer for sale to divest up to 4% stake in Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) at a floor price of INR 104 per share. The base issue comprises 2% equity, with another 2% under a green shoe option. The total divestment could fetch around INR 5,430 crore. Non-retail investors were allowed to bid first, followed by retail investors. The announcement led to a decline in the stock price, even as IRFC recently reported its highest quarterly profit with steady loan growth.Read more

Ahmedabad News Desk

27 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved a 3.33-kilometre extension of the North-South corridor of the Gujarat Metro that will connect GIFT City with Shahpur in Ahmedabad at an estimated cost of INR 1,067.35 crore. The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 February and marks a key expansion of the state's urban transport infrastructure. The elevated corridor will feature three new metro stations and is scheduled for completion in about four years. Government projections indicate daily ridership will reach around 23,700 passengers by 2029, rising to nearly 58,000 by 2041. The project, to be implemented by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC), is expected to improve connectivity between Ahmedabad's core city, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and its surrounding commercial and educational hubs, while generating employment during construction and operations.Read more