West Bengal Government Issues Fresh Tender for Tajpur Mega Deep-Sea Port Project.
The West Bengal government recently issued a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) for developing the mega Tajpur deep-sea port in East Medinipur district, formally resetting the project after scrapping the earlier tender process in which Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) had been selected as the winning bidder.
APSEZ had emerged as the L1 bidder in the first round, receiving a provisional Letter of Intent to Award (LOIA) in October 2022. However, the State Cabinet earlier this year decided to float a new tender for the greenfield port, bringing its four-year engagement with the Adani Group on the project to an end.
The fresh RFP marks a renewed attempt by the State to push ahead with the strategically significant deep-sea port, expected to be one of the biggest maritime infrastructure projects in West Bengal.
Telangana to Get Redevelopment of 40 Railway Stations
After inspecting redevelopment work at Hitec City railway station recently, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the redevelopment of railway stations in Telangana has accelerated and become a key priority.
“In Telangana, 40 railway stations are being redeveloped with modern facilities. In addition, the new Charlapalli railway terminal was recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Secunderabad railway station is being redeveloped at a cost of Rs.720 crore, Hyderabad station at Rs.350 crore, and the Kacheguda redevelopment plan is awaiting approval,” Kishan Reddy said.
The renovation of Hitec City railway station, which handles 5,400 passengers and 60 local trains daily, is being carried out in two phases at a cost of Rs.36 crore. The upgrades include a new façade and circulating area, extension of the footbridge from 2 metres to 12 metres, two passenger lifts and escalators, modern waiting areas and toilets, renovated concourse and waiting halls, and an additional ticketing facility on platform 2. Phase I is expected to be completed by February 2026.
Kishan Reddy also highlighted measures taken during the Dasara and Diwali festivals, when 16 mail and express trains bound for destinations such as Bidar, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Kakinada, Shirdi, and Narsapur were given stoppages at Hitec City station to facilitate travel for residents of western Hyderabad.
Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, and other SCR officials participated in the inspection.
Indore Metro Begins Trolley Trial on Newly Constructed Stretch
Indore Metro carried out a trolley trial on an 11-kilometre stretch from Malviya Nagar Square to Super Corridor-2 station recently as part of preparations for upcoming operations. The trial was overseen by Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL) Managing Director S Krishna Chaitanya, who inspected construction quality, project progress, and operational readiness.
During the visit, Chaitanya also reviewed metro stations at Vijay Nagar, Meghdoot Garden, Bapat Chauraha, Hiranagar, Chandragupta Chauraha, and Malviya Nagar Chauraha. He assessed civil construction, installation of escalators and lifts, station entry-exit arrangements, control rooms, ticketing areas, system rooms, tracks, and other technical works.
Officials stated that the inspection marks a significant step toward commencing operations at stations beyond SC-03. Chaitanya instructed officials and construction agencies to complete remaining works within the stipulated timeline, emphasizing high-quality execution to ensure a safe, timely, environmentally friendly, and world-class urban transport service for Indore residents.
Noida International Airport Nears Final Clearances; PM Modi Expected to Inaugurate by December 15.
Noida International Airport is on the verge of receiving its aerodrome licence, clearing the path for a potential inauguration by December 15. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was briefed on the airport’s progress during his visit to Jewar on Thursday, marking his second inspection in three weeks.
Officials informed the chief minister that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to issue the final licence by December 4, following a security inspection by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). During the November 24–25 inspection, BCAS identified gaps in CISF preparedness, including the need for additional CCTV cameras and watchtowers along the airport’s 17 km boundary. RK Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), confirmed that these requirements would be completed by December 2, after which DGCA approval is expected swiftly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to inaugurate the airport, although final confirmation from the PMO is pending. At a review meeting involving DGCA, BCAS, CISF, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), and NIAL, officials indicated that the PMO had been briefed about a possible December 15 inauguration.
Security preparations have been ramped up since the CISF assumed charge in September. A total of 1,047 personnel are deployed for perimeter security, passenger and baggage screening, and landside safety, supported by quick response teams, over 350 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, electric fencing, intrusion detection systems, and a centralised security operations centre.
Once the aerodrome licence is issued, YIAPL will coordinate with airlines such as Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo to finalise flight schedules. The airport is expected to commence daytime domestic passenger and cargo operations, though commercial flights are unlikely before early next year due to the need for slot approvals, scheduling, and ground handling arrangements.
Navi Mumbai Airport Eyes Sea–Air Connectivity in Push for Multi-Modal Expansion.
Navi Mumbai airport is set to become India’s newest aviation hub when it opens on December 25, promising improved connectivity and convenience for both passengers and exporters.
Designed with a strong emphasis on digitisation and automation, the airport is also leveraging its strategic location – just 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), the country’s largest container port – to build a robust multi-modal transportation network.
A spokesperson for Navi Mumbai International Limited said the airport’s integrated cargo terminal is in the final stages of development and has been built in line with regulatory requirements.
Cargo operations are expected to commence alongside passenger flights, enabling seamless sea–air connectivity from day one.
Himachal CM Sukhu Announces Rs.460 Crore Disbursed for Kangra Airport Expansion.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently announced that Rs.460 crore has been disbursed for the expansion of Kangra Airport. The project is expected to boost land value and attract higher tourist inflow once completed.The announcement came during Sukhu’s visit to Gram Panchayat Tangroti in the Dharamshala Assembly constituency for the “Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar” programme, where he addressed local residents’ grievances. Sukhu also highlighted that the state government has designated Kangra district as Himachal Pradesh’s tourism capital, with several tourism projects currently underway in the region.
UPMRC Eyes 1,575 km Metro Network Across Uttar Pradesh by 2047
The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a 1,575-kilometre metro network across the state by 2047. The roadmap was presented by UPMRC Managing Director Sushil Kumar at the “Viksit Uttar Pradesh for Viksit Bharat@2047” seminar.
The project will begin with major expansions in the state’s existing metro cities, including 225 km in Lucknow, 200 km in Kanpur, and 100 km in Agra. Other key urban centers such as Noida-Greater Noida, Varanasi, and Prayagraj are slated for 150 km corridors each, while districts like Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, and Meerut will receive 50 km networks each. The initial phase aims to complete approximately 790 km of the network by 2035.
Kumar emphasized the financial viability of the project, noting that the state’s share for the first 525 km expansion would be Rs.1,040 crore annually. He also highlighted UPMRC’s proven track record, pointing out that its existing metro systems are already operationally setting benchmarks for efficiency.
DMRC Completes Tunnel Under Red Line at Pulbangash Without Disrupting Train Services
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has successfully completed a technically challenging tunnelling operation under the operational Red Line at Pulbangash as part of its Phase-IV expansion. The tunnel forms a key part of the Janakpuri West–RK Ashram Marg extension of the Magenta Line, connecting the Pulbangash and Sadar Bazar stretch.
Trains on the busy Red Line, which carries nearly seven lakh passengers daily, continued to run uninterrupted throughout the operation, even as the tunnel boring machine (TBM) worked just below the elevated viaduct. The structure at the site sits on open foundations with a balanced cantilever span, making tunnelling beneath it especially sensitive.
To ensure safety, engineers implemented a detailed ground-strengthening plan around the existing pier, including the use of the Tube-a-Manchette (TAM) grouting technique. This involved creating 180 boreholes around the pier, which were filled with high-strength cement grout to stabilise the soil, fill voids, and prevent settlement during tunnelling.
DMRC also deployed extensive monitoring instruments to track ground movement, pier behaviour, and the condition of nearby buildings in real time. The downline tunnel has now been completed, while work on the up-line tunnel continues under similar precautions.
Officials emphasized that the successful completion of this operation without service disruption demonstrates DMRC’s technical expertise and commitment to minimizing inconvenience to commuters.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann unveils Rs.16,209 crore plan to lay 44,920 km roads in a year.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently unveiled an ambitious road construction programme spanning 44,920 km across the state, with a total project cost of Rs.16,209 crore. The project, aimed at improving connectivity and rural infrastructure, is scheduled for completion by the end of next year and will include a strict five-year maintenance clause.
Addressing a press conference, Mann said a comprehensive survey had been conducted to identify roads requiring repair, widening, or upgrades. All roads in villages, towns, and cities will feature high-quality construction along with world-class safety standards, including luminous lane and edge markings.
“This will be the biggest road construction initiative in the history of Punjab. It will significantly improve mobility and boost rural infrastructure. The state government has already begun constructing 19,373 km of rural link roads at a cost of Rs.4,092 crore, starting on October 17 at Tarn Taran,” Mann said.
The CM noted that this year’s unprecedented floods had further damaged connectivity in affected areas, increasing demand for high-quality roads across the state. To ensure accountability, a five-year maintenance clause has been included. Payments to contractors will be released only after all villages connected by a road confirm their satisfaction with the quality of work. Residents dissatisfied with construction can submit videos for government verification. Mann also highlighted strict monitoring of the project. The ‘Chief Minister’s Flying Squad’ continues to oversee construction quality. Contracts of some contractors have already been canceled due to the use of substandard materials. Mann warned that strict action would be taken against any contractor or government employee found involved in poor-quality work.
The CM emphasized that Punjab is funding the entire project from its own resources, as the state has not received any Rural Development Fund (RDF) allocations from the Centre. Previously, RDF funds were used by the Punjab Mandi Board for maintaining rural roads, especially those connected to grain markets.
Tamil Nadu to Appoint Consultant for Techno-Economic Study of Hosur Airport.
The Tamil Nadu government, through the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO), has invited proposals from consultants to prepare a Detailed Techno-Economic Report (DTER) for a proposed greenfield international airport in Hosur.
The state has earmarked approximately 2,300 acres of land in Krishnagiri District for the project, according to the bid document, though the exact location has not been disclosed.
The planned airport is designed to handle up to 30 million passengers annually, with Aerodrome Code 4E standards, Precision Approach Category III capabilities, a single runway, dual parallel taxiways, passenger terminals, cargo facilities, city-side development, and other essential aviation infrastructure. The project marks a significant step toward enhancing Tamil Nadu’s air connectivity and infrastructure capacity.
Tata Power’s Mundra Plant Expected to Restart by Year-End.
Tata Power’s 4,150 MW supercritical thermal plant in Mundra, which has been idle since July, is expected to resume operations by the end of the year, according to people familiar with the development.
The company is likely to sign a supplementary power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Gujarat government, one of its key power buyers, paving the way for the plant’s restart.
The issue was discussed at a meetingrecently, where the decision to move toward resuming operations was taken following talks with Gujarat officials, the sources said. Supplementary PPAs with other procurers are also likely to be finalized subsequently.
The Mundra plant, which runs on imported coal, supplies electricity to five states—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab.
