InfrastructureLatest Stories

Citizens Oppose Plan to Cut Bengaluru’s Lake Buffer Zone

BENGALURU: A local citizen group, Bengaluru Town Hall, has approached the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department (UDD) to voice their opposition against proposed amendments to buffer zone laws that could significantly diminish these areas. In their memorandum, the civic organization outlined serious concerns regarding the potential threats the new regulations pose to ecology, water security, biodiversity, food security, the environment, and the well-being of residents. Members of the group caution that the proposed bill represents a substantial threat to Bengaluru’s remaining green spaces, might lead to increased pollution in the city’s lakes, could endanger biodiversity, amplify the impacts…

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Hyderabad’s Lakes Shrunk by 500% in 20 Years of Real Estate

Representative AI image HYDERABAD: A recent study reveals that Hyderabad has seen its water bodies shrink by nearly 500% from 2000 to 2020, decreasing from 12,535 hectares to just 2,280 hectares. This significant reduction has had a detrimental effect on the city’s natural water network. Concurrently, built-up areas have doubled from approximately 38,863 hectares to 80,111 hectares. Consequently, water levels in major lakes like Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, and Durgam Cheruvu have plummeted, pushing the city towards a critical water scarcity. M. Kamraju, a former research scholar from the Center for Economic and Studies, stated, “These water bodies—crucial for groundwater recharge and…

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Uttar Pradesh panel may reduce YEIDA to 300 villages

NOIDA: The Uttar Pradesh government has established a panel to assess the jurisdiction of YEIDA, which encompasses 1,149 villages from Gautam Budh Nagar to Agra, covering an area of 3.35 lakh hectares—almost three times the combined area of Noida and Greater Noida, which is 1.12 lakh hectares. The committee will consider reducing YEIDA’s scope to approximately 300 villages, aiming to balance long-term planning with immediate developmental requirements while ensuring that residents and investors in areas outside the approved master plans are not stuck awaiting necessary approvals or infrastructure. YEIDA CEO RK Singh commented that the panel’s goal is to create…

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Punjab Advances Aerotropolis with Social Impact Assessment for 3,553 acres

MOHALI: The Aerotropolis project in Mohali is gaining new momentum as the Punjab government has announced a social impact assessment (SIA) for acquiring 3,553 acres of land in Blocks E to J. This township will extend the already-developed Aerocity near the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport and is being facilitated by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The official notification from Vikas Garg, principal secretary of the housing and urban development department, mandates the SIA under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. This assessment will examine the social, cultural, and…

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HC Petitioned by Dwarka Expressway Residents for Connectivity

GURUGRAM: Residents in new sectors along the Dwarka Expressway have approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, requesting intervention for the construction of 24-metre and 30-metre internal sector roads. According to residents, the absence of these roads obstructs access to homes, delays emergency services like ambulances and fire trucks, and poses dust and safety hazards in the area. This action follows repeated appeals to civic and planning authorities that resulted in minimal progress. The resident group, Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association (DXP GDA), filed a writ petition through advocate Seema Nain, who stated that “judicial intervention is now the only…

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ADB Approves $190M Loan for Indore Metro Project

NEW DELHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 190 million loan to support the Indore Metro Rail Project, a significant initiative aimed at improving urban mobility, reducing pollution, and fostering inclusive growth in Madhya Pradesh, as stated in a company press release. The project will fund the construction of an 8.62-kilometre underground metro line featuring seven stations, connecting congested areas of Indore to the airport. Designed with modern standards, the metro will offer accessibility features such as ramps, lifts, CCTV surveillance, and emergency response systems for elderly individuals, women, children, and persons with disabilities. “Indore’s rapid urbanization…

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Jaipur Civic Body Orders Owners to Vacate 16 Unsafe Buildings

JAIPUR: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) Heritage has issued notices to the owners of 16 unsafe buildings in the Walled City, demanding that they vacate within 24 hours. Additionally, parts of two unsafe structures were demolished and sealed temporarily after residents were relocated. Repair orders were also served to the owners of nine buildings. Officials stated that personnel from the building construction branch have been assigned to monitor the situation continuously. Deputy Commissioner of Hawa Mahal Amer Zone, Seema Chaudhary, emphasized, “These measures are essential to prevent accidents in Amer, Brahmapuri, and Gangapol, especially during heavy rains. The corporation will…

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Navi Mumbai Airport Opening Set for October 8

MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai International Airport is set to open on October 8, as announced by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday. The airport recently received its aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday and is being developed in multiple phases by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. The Adani Group holds a 74% stake, while the Maharashtra government’s CIDCO has the remaining 26%. “In preparation for the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport on October 8, I had the honor of meeting with our diverse team, including construction workers, women staff, engineers, artisans, firefighters,…

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Kochi Metro Plans Phase II Extension to Infopark III, Kizhakkambalam

KOCHI: Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is planning to extend its Phase II pink line to the Kizhakkambalam area, where Infopark aims to establish its Phase III campus. The IT Park officials have informed that they’ve completed initial discussions with KMRL regarding this extension. The work on the pink line is currently underway, with KMRL targeting completion by 2026. The existing plan terminates the line near Infopark’s Phase I campus. Infopark CEO Sushanth Kurunthil stated, “We are prioritizing Metro connectivity for our Phase III project, as this integrated township is set to be one of the largest infrastructure developments in…

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Panel to Review Construction on Ghaziabad’s Yamuna Floodplain

GHAZIABAD: In response to the recent flooding in Loni, District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar has established a four-member committee tasked with locating permanent structures within the Yamuna floodplain zone. The committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Saurabh Bhatt, includes the Loni SDM and an official from the irrigation department. It is responsible for identifying illegal constructions in the floodplain and must submit their findings within a month, after which the area will be cleared. Officials have noted that flooding in Loni has become a recurring challenge since 2023, necessitating the allocation of resources for rescue efforts. This year alone, around…