Railways Clears Survey for Theni–Erumeli Rail Link Connecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala.
The proposed railway line connecting Theni in Tamil Nadu with Erumeli in Kerala, the gateway to Sabarimala, has moved a step closer to reality after the Railways approved a survey for the 95-km broad-gauge route.
The approval follows a tender floated last year to assess the feasibility of establishing a direct rail link between Theni and Erumeli.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the sanction in Parliament in response to questions raised by MPs P Ganapathy Rajkumar and Thanga Tamilselvan.
The survey will form the basis for preparing a detailed project report. The proposal will subsequently require further appraisal, including consultations with the state governments and clearances from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. No timeline has been fixed for construction of the line. If approved for execution, the proposed railway would provide Theni district with direct rail connectivity towards Sabarimala and reduce dependence on road transport for pilgrims travelling to Kerala. At present, passengers from Theni and surrounding areas largely travel by road through Cumbum and Kumily towards Erumeli and Pamba, as there is no direct railway connection along the corridor.
“The Railways Ministry should take steps to provide a railway connection towards Sabarimala. It will help devotees as well as regular passengers from Theni district,” said Dharmendiran, a schoolteacher from Uthamapalayam who had earlier raised the demand.
Theni’s rail connectivity was restored following the completion of the Madurai-Bodinayakanur gauge-conversion project. The 90-km corridor, built at a cost of around Rs.593 crore, brought passenger train services back to the district.
The proposed Theni-Erumeli line would extend the existing rail network westwards from Theni towards Kerala, potentially improving connectivity between southern Tamil Nadu and the Sabarimala pilgrimage region.
MCD Fast-Tracks Two Waste Management Initiatives at Okhla
Under pressure to create additional municipal waste processing capacity, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has accelerated work on two major waste management projects at the Okhla landfill site.
The projects include a fresh waste processing plant with a capacity of 1,400 metric tonnes per day (MTD) and a construction and demolition (C&D) waste processing facility with a capacity of 1,000 MTD. Officials said nearly 3,200 MT of fresh waste is currently being dumped at the Okhla landfill every day.
During an inspection visit, MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar was informed that construction of the fresh waste processing plant has started on a 10-acre site. The Rs.153-crore project is targeted for completion by the end of October.
Officials said fresh waste from the South, West, Najafgarh and Central zones is currently transported to Okhla for disposal. Reducing fresh waste dumping is considered essential for flattening the landfill site within the planned December-end timeline.
“We have installed boundary pillars to mark the project area and construction has now begun,” an MCD official said.
The civic body is also expanding the capacity of the waste-to-energy plants at Tehkhand and Okhla by 1,000 MT per day each. Work on the Okhla facility has already started, with the expansion expected to be completed by March 2027.
At the Okhla landfill, work is also underway on a seven-acre reclaimed site for a C&D waste processing plant, which is expected to be completed by November 30. The facility will allow operators to receive bulk C&D waste from private generators and charge processing fees.
Meanwhile, MCD’s horticulture department has started a pilot greening project on another two-acre reclaimed site. Doob grass (Cynodon dactylon) is being planted to help stabilise the soil, reduce dust emissions and improve the reclaimed area. A layer of sandy soil mixed with manure has been added to support vegetation growth.
Across Delhi, MCD is developing five new fresh waste processing plants with a combined capacity of 5,900 tonnes per day at a total cost of Rs.596 crore. These facilities are expected to be operational by October-November 2026.
The planned projects include an 1,800 TPD plant at Bhalswa, a 1,200 TPD facility at Narela-Bawana, an 800 TPD plant at Ghazipur and a 700 TPD facility at Singhola for processing fresh waste and drain silt.
Officials said expanding waste processing infrastructure is critical as, apart from Okhla, around 3,500 MT of waste is dumped daily at the Bhalswa and Ghazipur landfill sites. Delhi generates around 12,847 MT of municipal waste every day, while only 7,642 MT is currently processed.
New Connectivity Corridor Between Katra Expressway and Amritsar Airport Proposed
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has urged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to approve an elevated corridor connecting Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee InternationaAmritsar-Katra Expressway, citing the need to strengthen Amritsar’s road infrastructure ahead of rising traffic pressure.
In a statement issued recently, Aujla said Amritsar, a key international gateway, was already witnessing heavy congestion on Airport Road. He warned that traffic challenges could increase further once the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway becomes fully operational and the proposed international cricket stadium is developed.
The MP proposed an elevated corridor from Gumtala Bypass through the airport at Rajasansi to the roundabout near Morcha Sahib Gurdwara on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. He said the project would provide signal-free connectivity between the airport, expressway and the city, helping reduce travel time and ease congestion.
Aujla requested Gadkari to direct the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a detailed project report (DPR) at the earliest. He also sought priority status for the project to facilitate its early implementation.
The MP said the proposed corridor would boost connectivity, support tourism, trade and religious travel, and help manage future traffic growth in Amritsar.
Thane Integral Ring Metro Project Expands Reach with New Links to Kalwa, Mumbra, Diva.
The Maharashtra government is set to extend the Thane Integral Ring Metro rail project to Kalwa, Mumbra and Diva, bringing the rapidly growing suburbs under the city’s fast transit network, Konkan Graduate Constituency MLC Niranjan Davkhare said on Monday.
Davkhare raised the issue during an online meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and officials from Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MahaMetro), highlighting the need to integrate the expanding suburbs with the proposed Thane Ring Metro.
He said Kalwa, Mumbra and Diva have witnessed significant population growth and rising commuter movement in recent years, making their inclusion essential to improve connectivity with Thane city and other parts of the district.
Following the discussion, Shinde is learnt to have given in-principle approval for extending the metro network to these areas.
“The rapidly developing Kalwa, Mumbra and Diva suburbs were not included in the original metro plan. There is now a need to connect them with the main metro network,” Davkhare said.
Officials informed that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed extension has already been prepared. Shinde has directed MahaMetro to initiate the next phase of the project, they said. During the meeting, Davkhare also raised concerns over the proposed underground metro alignment passing through Chendani Koliwada and parts of old Thane, where residents have expressed concerns about possible impacts on their homes.
Metro officials assured that tunnelling work would not compromise the safety of existing structures. They added that a detailed impact assessment of the affected areas would be conducted and its findings would be made available to the public.
SECR Initiates Tender Process for Paradol-Nagpur Road Rail Connectivity Project Worth Rs.601.90 Crore.
South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for the construction of a new broad gauge single railway line in Chhattisgarh under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The project, estimated at Rs.601.90 crore, is aimed at strengthening rail connectivity and improving transportation infrastructure in the region.
The tender covers the construction of a new railway line between the Paradol Takeoff Point and Nagpur Road Station, along with the slewing of a section of the existing Boridand-Chirmiri railway line.
The project will be executed under tender number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-15, with an estimated cost of Rs.601.90 crore. The contractor will be required to complete the work within 730 days from the date of award. The Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) for the tender has been fixed at Rs.12.04 crore, with bids remaining valid for 180 days.
The first pre-bid meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2026, while the second pre-bid meeting will be held on September 16, 2026. The deadline for submission of bids is November 27, 2026, at 3 PM.
Under the scope of work, the selected contractor will construct a new broad gauge single railway line covering the section from Paradol Takeoff Point at km 947.257 to Nagpur Road Station (connecting point at km 964.820). The project also includes slewing of the existing Boridand-Chirmiri railway line between km 946.640 and km 947.257.
The railway development project is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support improved movement of passengers and freight within the South East Central Railway zone.
PCMC Approves Rs.85 Lakh DPR for Maharashtra’s First e-RTS Project.
Commuters in Pimpri-Chinchwad are set to benefit from a new electric mass transit initiative, with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) approving Rs.85 lakh for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Maharashtra’s first Electric Rapid Transit System (e-RTS) pilot project.
The approval follows a presentation made before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the PCMC administration, paving the way for the development of the proposed road-based rapid transit system.
The 17-km pilot corridor will connect Godown Chowk to Wakad, with key stops planned at Kudalwadi Chowk, Auto Cluster, Kalewadi Phata, Jagtap Dairy Chowk and Wakad.
The proposed route is expected to enhance connectivity across key growth areas, including Moshi, Chikhali, Talawade, Kiwale, Ravet and Wakad. It will also provide improved access to major transport corridors such as the Pune–Nashik Highway, Telco Road, Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, Aundh-Ravet BRT corridor and the Mumbai-Bengaluru Bypass.
The e-RTS aims to provide faster, greener and more reliable public transport while helping reduce traffic congestion in the rapidly expanding urban region.
Unlike conventional bus services, the Electric Rapid Transit System is designed to offer a metro-like travel experience on roads through a fully electric and eco-friendly transport model. Each vehicle will have a capacity of up to 240 passengers and will feature low-floor boarding for universal accessibility, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity and other passenger amenities.
The system is expected to deliver quieter, safer and more comfortable travel with lower operating costs and a service life exceeding 20 years. The pilot project is being positioned as a modern public transport solution for Pimpri-Chinchwad’s growing population, with the potential to improve mobility and support sustainable urban transportation.
Goa Water Metro Plan Advances: 9 Routes Selected for Initial Phase, DPR Process Underway.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Goa Water Metro project will be completed within the next four months, River Navigation Department (RND) Minister Subhash Phal Dessai announced.
The Goa Government is aiming to secure 100% central funding for the ambitious water transport initiative. The announcement was made during a briefing attended by Loknath Behera, former IPS officer and Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL).
KMRL has been entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the DPR for the Goa Water Metro project. The report will outline the project’s complete roadmap, including route planning, estimated costs, long-term implementation strategy, tourism opportunities and its expected impact on traffic management.
The first phase of the project will focus on nine river connectivity routes. Locations identified in the feasibility study include Panaji, Betim, Divar, Chodan, Vanshi, Sarmanas, Narve, Aldona, Cortalim, Madkai, Adpai and Durbhat.
Speaking at the press briefing, Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said, “We have selected nine routes in Goa, and the DPR will be placed before the government within the next four months. Looking at the steady work carried out by the State, the Centre has given Goa priority and included it in the first phase. The River Navigation Department is fully committed to ensuring the timely execution of the project.”
Loknath Behera said the Water Metro would provide Goa with an alternative transport option and help reduce pressure on existing road networks. The project is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity, promote tourism and generate employment opportunities in coastal and riverine regions.
The Goa Water Metro is envisioned as a sustainable transport solution that will connect riverine communities while supporting the state’s tourism and mobility needs.
Nagpur’s Rs.250-Crore Twin Flyover Plan on Katol Road Moves Closer to Approval.
The proposed Rs.250-crore twin-flyover project on Nagpur–Katol Road has moved a step closer to execution, nearly three years after it was announced, with the detailed project report (DPR) entering its final stage. Senior officials said the National Highways Division of the state Public Works Department (PWD) will soon submit the DPR to the state government for approval, after which the project will proceed to the tendering stage.
The revised plan replaces the earlier proposal for a continuous flyover with two elevated corridors along NH-353J between Old Katol Naka Square and the New Katol Naka area. The two flyovers will have a combined length of 2.25 km.
According to PWD officials, the project has been designed within the existing right of way, eliminating the need for land acquisition.
The first flyover, measuring about 1.325 km, will begin near the Police Headquarters, pass over the congested Gittikhadan Square and end near KT Nagar. The second, approximately 925 metres long, will start before the Ring Road junction, cross the busy intersection and terminate near the New Katol Naka toll plaza.
Officials said the section between the two flyovers will remain at ground level as it has limited roadside development and is largely bordered by defence land. The revised design is expected to reduce construction costs while ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow across the two major congestion points.
Apart from the flyovers, the project includes the widening and reconstruction of the entire 4.6-km corridor with cement concrete pavement. The road will be upgraded to a four-lane carriageway with cement concrete service roads on both sides. At present, the corridor has a seven-metre-wide carriageway in each direction along with footpaths.
The Katol Road corridor has witnessed rapid urbanisation over the past decade and carries heavy traffic from residential neighbourhoods, educational institutions and vehicles travelling towards Katol, Chhindwara and surrounding areas. Gittikhadan Square and the New Katol Naka junction are among Nagpur’s busiest intersections, with motorists frequently encountering long delays during peak hours.
Once completed, the twin flyovers are expected to ease congestion, improve road safety, reduce travel time and ensure smoother traffic movement along one of Nagpur’s busiest highway corridors. The project is currently estimated to cost around Rs.250 crore, although the final cost may be revised before receiving government approval.
Railways to Build Skywalks for Seamless Metro Access at Ernakulam Stations.
Train passengers in Ernakulam are set to benefit from improved multimodal connectivity, with the Railways moving ahead with plans to construct elevated skywalks linking three major railway stations with nearby Kochi Metro stations.
The proposed skywalks will come up at Tripunithura, Ernakulam Junction (South) and Ernakulam Town (North), providing direct and seamless access between railway platforms and Metro stations.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Nithin Norbert said the project has been shortlisted for approval by the Railway Board. “We are preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to be submitted to the board,” he said.
The demand for skywalk connectivity at Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town stations was raised during the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on July 23. Railway officials assured passenger representatives that the facilities would be developed as part of the ongoing station redevelopment works.
Paul K.J. Manvettom, president of the All Kerala Railway Users Association, said the proposed infrastructure would provide a safer and more convenient pathway for passengers switching between train and Metro services, particularly benefiting senior citizens, families and those carrying heavy luggage.
The Railways is also planning to construct a covered walkway connecting the ticket counter to the main entrance of Ernakulam South railway station to protect daily commuters from heavy rain and extreme heat, he added.
During the meeting, passenger representatives also urged the Railways to expedite the extension of all six platforms at Ernakulam Junction. Currently, except Platform 1, the remaining platforms cannot accommodate 24-coach trains, resulting in some long-distance trains halting at outer signals and contributing to operational delays.
Railway authorities informed the committee that platform extension work on Platform 2 is underway, while expansion work for Platforms 3 and 4 will begin shortly.
The association also sought the installation of escalators and lifts on all platforms at Ernakulam Junction to improve accessibility for senior citizens, pregnant women and passengers with disabilities.
Other demands raised during the meeting included introducing a daily passenger train between Kottayam and Ernakulam Junction during the 3 pm to 4 pm period, when no service is currently available, and launching a direct train service from Ernakulam to Puducherry to benefit students and travellers from Kerala.
The DRUCC meeting brings together railway officials and passenger representatives to discuss improvements in train services, station facilities and commuter-related issues.
Kharar Railway Station to See Major Safety Revamp With Foot Overbridge, Elevated Platform.
Passengers at Kharar railway station in Punjab are set to get relief from major safety concerns, with Northern Railway’s Ambala division awarding the tender for a new foot overbridge (FOB) and approving the elevation of platform No. 2.
The development follows a grievance submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office on August 10, 2026, by local activist Arun Kumar, who raised concerns over the risks faced by passengers while crossing railway tracks due to the absence of an overbridge.
In response, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) D S Meena said the FOB contract has been awarded and structural design work is currently underway. Construction is expected to begin after the design is approved.
The railway division has also approved plans to raise platform No. 2 to a high-level platform. A detailed cost estimate is awaiting final clearance, following which the project will move to the tendering stage.
The grievance highlighted the heavy passenger footfall at Kharar station and the difficulties faced by elderly passengers, children, women and persons with disabilities while crossing tracks or boarding trains from the low-lying platform.
Meena said both projects are being processed on priority and will be completed according to the approved timelines.
Pune Sets December 2026 Target for Sadhu Vaswani Bridge Completion.
Commuters in Koregaon Park, VVIP Circuit House, Bund Garden and Wadia College areas will have to wait another five months, with the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge unlikely to be completed before December 2026.
Civic Chief Naval Kishore Ram inspected the ongoing bridge work recently and directed officials to complete the pending work by the end of December. He also said the project’s progress would be reviewed every month to maintain the pace of construction.
Officials said the launching of a 54-metre-long Open Web Girder is scheduled to be completed by the end of September. Construction of the remaining spans will begin after the girder is launched. The project was originally expected to be completed within two and a half years from the start of actual construction. However, the revised timeline now puts completion of the bridge by December 2026.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity and ease traffic movement for commuters in the surrounding areas.
Madhya Pradesh Government Sanctions Rs.1,757 Crore for Bhopal-Vidisha Four-Lane Road.
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet recently approved the Rs.1,757.55-crore Bhopal-Vidisha four-lane project and extended toll collection on the Bhopal Bypass until 2031 ahead of its proposed expansion to six lanes.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Uday Pratap Singh said the 44.83-km Bhopal-Vidisha road would be widened from two to four lanes with paved shoulders as part of infrastructure development for the proposed Bhopal metropolitan region.
The project will strengthen connectivity between Bhopal and Vidisha and improve links with nearby cities, Singh said.
The road will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation will bear 40% of the construction cost, including GST, from the State Highway Fund. The remaining 60% will be paid from the state budget through half-yearly annuities over 15 years.
The Cabinet also approved user-fee collection on the 51.963-km Bhopal Bypass from July 19, 2026, to December 31, 2031. The bypass is proposed to be widened from four to six lanes, with the Public Works Department authorised to extend the toll period by another five years.
Rs.44,515 crore approved for health programmes
The Cabinet approved Rs.44,515.13 crore for the continuation of major health programmes from April 2026 to March 2031. The programmes include the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, coverage for non-SECC beneficiaries, disease-control initiatives and safety and sanitation measures at health institutions.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also said the Cabinet reviewed the state’s rainfall situation, noting that Madhya Pradesh had received around 15% below-normal rainfall.
The Cabinet further sanctioned Rs.918 crore for continuation of the Forest Department’s dividend distribution scheme for Joint Forest Management Committees until 2030-31.
Security, tourism and research initiatives
The government plans to expand the State Industrial Security Force for industrial areas and key installations. Khandwa will get one of the three proposed units, Singh said.
He added that 27,534 police personnel across 58 cadres have been promoted, creating vacancies for fresh recruitment.
The Cabinet extended until August 14 the tenure of the judicial inquiry commission headed by former High Court judge Subhash Kakde, which is probing the May 14 Tokankala fire tragedy in Dewas.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will partner Tata STRIVE to train at least 1,000 homestay owners.
The Cabinet also allotted 20 hectares at Bhaukhedi village in Sehore district on permanent lease to the National Soybean Research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
