InfrastructureLatest Stories

Govt Plans AI-Driven Township in Bidadi to Ease Bengaluru’s Congestion

BENGALURU: The government announced an ambitious initiative on Thursday to launch the Greater Bengaluru Innovation and Tech City (GBIT), touted as India’s first and largest AI-driven township, located in Bidadi, approximately 30km from Bengaluru. The project aims to alleviate pressure on Bengaluru by redistributing population and economic activities through sustainable development. GBIT will feature an integrated ecosystem comprising residential, commercial, and social spaces, with a central business district (CBD) built to global standards, designed to attract investment and generate large-scale employment across various sectors, including technology and services. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated, “GBIT will embody the aspirations of…

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Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Metro, Road Projects for Cities

MUMBAI: On Wednesday, the Maharashtra cabinet approved numerous significant projects, including the Wadala-CSMT-Gateway of India metro line in Mumbai, according to officials. Additional initiatives include a ring metro in Thane, extensions for Pune Metro’s Line-2 and Line-4, and Nagpur Metro Phase-II. The cabinet also authorized loans for these projects, with the state assuming contingent liabilities, as stated by the Chief Minister’s Office. In Pune, approval was given for two new stations, Balajinagar and Bibwewadi, on the Swargate-Katraj metro corridor, alongside relocating the Katraj station, which will require an additional budget of Rs 683.11 crore. The cabinet also endorsed state involvement…

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Nashik Civic Body Plans to Raise ₹1,000 Crore via ADB Loans

NASHIK: The civic body plans to secure Rs 1,000 crore in loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for various infrastructure projects ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, set for 2026 to 2028. The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has submitted a proposal to the state urban development department for approval. A senior civic official informed TOI, “Upon receiving approval, we will begin the process to raise Rs 1,000 crore through a loan from ADB.” An official mentioned that the state government will back the loan repayment to ADB. This initiative is part of NMC’s strategy to fund its share…

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After Virar Collapse, Civic Body to Demolish 141 Illegal Structures

PALGHAR: Following the tragic collapse of an illegally constructed building that resulted in 17 fatalities in Virar, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) announced plans to demolish 141 unauthorized structures within its jurisdiction. An official shared these details on Thursday. The demolition drive is scheduled to commence on September 8, right after the conclusion of the Ganesh festival. On Thursday, VVCMC mobilized a 50-member demolition squad, which includes several contracted engineers. The teams will consist of ten groups with five members each, according to the official. On August 27, the rear section of the four-story Ramabai Apartments in Virar collapsed,…

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Over 6,700 Illegal Structures Found in Faridabad Forests

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has reported to the apex court that approximately 6,800 unauthorized structures, including farmhouses, schools, and government buildings, have been constructed on 780 acres of designated forest land in Faridabad, violating the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980. In an interim report dated August 29, the committee noted that this land is recognized under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) of 1900 and spans the villages of Ankhir, Anangpur, Lakkarpur, and Mewla Maharajpur. The committee highlighted that the area exhibits “all the attributes of forest land” as per the 1980 law and cannot…

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Noida Authority Targets Unauthorized Construction in Salarpur

NOIDA: Teams from the Noida Authority have been assigned to Salarpur village and surrounding areas to curb illegal construction. Reports indicate that unauthorized construction has occurred on plots numbered 728–735 and 745–752, with some buildings exceeding seven floors without proper approval. The field teams, which include five managers, an assistant manager, four junior engineers, 20 field staff, and two police officers, are conducting daily inspections. Their findings will be reported to the senior manager of Work Circle 8 to ensure stringent oversight and prompt action against encroachments. This initiative focuses on 39 developers involved in constructing more than 60 unauthorized…

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Kolkata: Pay ₹1 lakh for littering in New Town vacant lots

KOLKATA: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) is putting up display boards in vacant plots around New Town to discourage illegal dumping, with fines ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1 lakh. Residents have noted that many vacant areas in New Town have turned into dumping grounds and breeding sites for mosquitoes. NKDA is also planning to implement a redressal system for the effective removal of construction and demolition waste. Residents can notify authorities of any C&D waste in the area for swift cleanup. “A dedicated helpline will be established to handle complaints about construction and demolition waste, particularly in Action…

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Ghaziabad to Notify Township Land to Ease Acquisition Hurdles

GHAZIABAD: Families in five villages of Ghaziabad have faced a long and uncertain wait for development. The promise of the Harnandipuram township, projected as a modern urban center, has been clouded by delays in land acquisition. The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has now opted to invoke the Land Acquisition Act, aiming to accelerate the project. During a board meeting on Tuesday, the GDA approved moving forward with land acquisition for Harnandipuram under the Land Acquisition Act, moving away from the slower mutual consent method. Since March, only 14 hectares have been secured via negotiations, with another 6 hectares pending, leaving…

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Issues Persist in Noida’s ‘New Sectors’ After a Decade

NOIDA: Nearly ten years after many residents of the 7x and 100x sectors in Noida received possession of their apartments, they moved to this satellite town to avoid hefty EMIs on home loans, expecting gradual development. Unfortunately, fundamental infrastructure improvements have yet to materialize. Sectors like 74 to 79 and 115 to 121 continue to grapple with inadequate transportation, poorly maintained roads, a scarcity of petrol stations, designated commercial areas, and children’s parks. Additionally, only a limited number of ATMs and banks cater to the needs of the approximately 300,000 residents. “While conditions have gradually improved with the introduction of…

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Consent Secured for 50% of Land for New Purandar Airport

Representative AI image PUNE: The district administration has received letters from nearly half of the farmers whose land is designated for the proposed Purandar airport, just a week into the process. District Collector Jitendra Dudi stated that approximately 1,450 acres out of the revised airport area of 3,000 acres (1,285 hectares) have been approved for acquisition by farmers. “We have consent letters from nearly half of the farmers in the seven impacted villages,” Dudi remarked. Farmers from Pargaon, where most of the land is situated, previously protested vehemently against the project. Officials overseeing land acquisition confirmed that over 1,000 farmers…