Madhya Pradesh Bags Major Urban Infrastructure Boost with Rs.2,753 Crore Allocation.
The National Apex Committee (NAC) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has approved six urban infrastructure projects worth Rs.2,753.10 crore for Madhya Pradesh under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF).
The investment package is expected to enhance water security, sanitation, heritage conservation and urban mobility across the state, strengthening Madhya Pradesh’s role among the key beneficiaries of the Centre’s flagship urban transformation initiative. The approved projects will be implemented in Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain and Rewa. The Centre will provide Rs.688.33 crore as Urban Challenge Fund assistance, while the remaining funds will be raised through institutional financing, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and contributions from urban local bodies.
The proposals were cleared after a high-level appraisal chaired by MoHUA Secretary Katikithala Srinivas and Additional Secretary Thara. The approval highlights the Centre’s support for Madhya Pradesh’s integrated approach to urban planning and infrastructure development. The projects are aimed at improving urban services and creating more sustainable, resilient and better-connected cities across the state.
Andhra Clears Over 6,000 Acres for Phase-II Port Development Across Three Locations.
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the Phase-II land acquisition of 6,248 acres for the development of three major ports in the state — Mulapeta, Machilipatnam and Ramayapatnam — at an estimated cost of Rs.1,638 crore.
MT Krishna Babu, Special Chief Secretary, Infrastructure & Investment Department, said the expenditure for acquiring the land will be met through the internal resources of the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB). In a Government Order (GO), Babu announced that the government had granted administrative sanction for Phase-II land acquisition for the development of the three port projects. As part of the acquisition plan, 1,903 acres will be acquired for Mulapeta Port at a cost of Rs.440 crore, including expenses related to Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R).
For Machilipatnam Port, the government has approved the acquisition of 1,421 acres at an estimated cost of Rs.347 crore. Meanwhile, 2,924 acres will be acquired for Ramayapatnam Port at a cost of Rs.851 crore. The move is part of Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to accelerate port infrastructure development and strengthen maritime connectivity in the state.
BCPL Railway Infrastructure Emerges Preferred Bidder for Eastern Railway OHE Project.
BCPL Railway Infrastructure Limited has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for an electrical engineering tender issued by the Howrah Division of Eastern Railway for improving the reliability and safety of overhead equipment (OHE) systems.
The tender, issued by Eastern Railway’s Howrah Division, carries a project value of Rs.4.51 crore, including Goods and Services Tax (GST). The tender identification number is ELD-125-WC-OT-39A-25. The company said the formal issuance of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) by the railway zone is currently under process, following which the execution timeline will be finalised.
The project focuses on safety upgrades and technical interventions for high-voltage electrical assets along heavy-density railway corridors. The scope of work includes installation of anti-climbing structures on traction masts to prevent unauthorised access to live traction zones. The contract also involves upgrading high-voltage traction insulators through the installation of anti-bird discs to reduce the risk of bird-related flashovers and short circuits. Additionally, BCPL will undertake the installation of UV-protected High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) mesh inside portal booms to prevent debris accumulation and avian nesting-related disruptions.
Other planned interventions include the installation of G-Jumpers at wire overlap locations to improve electrical continuity and maintain stable voltage balance across railway lines. The upgrades are aimed at reducing transient tripping incidents and enhancing the overall reliability of the 25 KV AC Overhead Equipment (OHE) network in the Howrah railway zone, one of the country’s busiest train routing corridors.
Mahi Banswara Nuclear Project Gains Momentum as India Issues Major EPC Tender.
India has invited bids for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package worth over Rs.28,000 crore for the Mahi Banswara nuclear power project in Rajasthan, marking a major step forward for the country’s nuclear expansion programme.
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and NTPC, has issued the tender for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) for the project. The tender covers engineering, design, supply, inspection, testing, packing, transportation to site, storage, fabrication, civil works, erection, examination, commissioning, operation and maintenance activities as specified for the nuclear island package. The EPC contract pertains to Units 1 to 4 of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP-1 to 4), according to the bid document.
The project is expected to play a significant role in strengthening India’s nuclear power capacity and supporting the country’s long-term clean energy transition goals.
Powerica Secures 50 MW Wind Power Project from GUVNL Auction.
Powerica Limited has emerged as a successful bidder in Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited’s (GUVNL) e-reverse auction for the procurement of power from 250 MW grid-connected wind power projects. The company has secured a 50 MW wind power project in the competitive bidding process, with the electronic reverse auction concluding on July 9, 2026. Powerica’s discovered tariff was Rs.3.51 per unit, reflecting a 2.77% variation from the tender’s start price. The Letter of Award (LoA) is expected to be issued to the company within the timelines specified in the tender document.
Following the award, Powerica will enter into a direct Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with GUVNL for the 50 MW project. The power generated from the project will help GUVNL meet its Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).
The company said it will leverage its in-house engineering capabilities to execute the wind project and ensure completion within the timelines prescribed under the tender framework.
Centre Reviews UP Road Projects as State Prepares FY27 Highway Development Plan.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently directed officials to accelerate the next phase of National Highway expansion in Uttar Pradesh during a review meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The review comes after the state completed 1,010 km of National Highway projects and attracted road infrastructure investments worth Rs.23,445 crore during FY2025-26 and up to May 2026.
With the focus now moving towards the FY27 project pipeline, officials were instructed to expedite key pre-construction activities, including land acquisition, forest clearances and utility shifting, for 10 National Highway projects spanning 267 km that are currently under tendering. The meeting also discussed a broader infrastructure roadmap, including the proposed 742-km Shamli-Gorakhpur access-controlled corridor, four-lane connectivity to 33 district headquarters, development of new ring roads and bypasses, and preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for the Ayodhya-Gonda and Rewa-Ranchi highway corridors.
The review signals a shift from completing the ongoing National Highway pipeline to planning the next phase of road development in Uttar Pradesh, with a focus on improving connectivity for industries, logistics networks, airports and religious tourism destinations.
Big Infrastructure Push Planned to Transform Sarojini Nagar.
A series of major infrastructure projects worth several thousand crore rupees are set to transform Sarojini Nagar into a key connectivity and development hub, local MLA Rajeshwar Singh said recently. Singh said the projects, being undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, are aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting industrial growth and easing traffic movement in the constituency.
Highlighting key projects, Singh said the Rs.5,000-crore, 50-km Link Expressway will connect the Agra Expressway with the Purvanchal Expressway, creating a major transport corridor and supporting industrial development. He added that the Rs.4,700-crore, 65-km Lucknow-Kanpur Elevated Road will cut travel time between Amausi Airport and Kanpur to around 40 minutes, reducing congestion and facilitating trade and commerce.
The MLA said ongoing infrastructure works include six bridges with a combined cost of Rs.499.51 crore, restoration of 11 canal embankments involving an investment of Rs.492.34 crore, and construction and strengthening of 165 roads worth Rs.216 crore.
He further said more than 1,900 roads have been developed across the constituency through various civic agencies at a cost of Rs.144 crore.
The Public Works Department has sanctioned Rs.163 crore for widening the 11.5-km Bani-Mohanlalganj Road into a four-lane corridor, while the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has developed four roads at an estimated cost of Rs.514.5 crore, Singh said. Other major infrastructure projects in the area include the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, Outer Ring Road (Kisan Path), Amausi and Piparsand railway underpasses, the Arjunganj-Cantt bridge, the Haroni rail overbridge, and the widening of Lucknow-Mohan Road.
Pre-Construction Phase, Centre Floats Tenders
India’s third bullet train project, connecting Chennai and Bengaluru, has moved into the early stages of development, with the Centre floating tenders for pre-construction activities for the 306.2-km high-speed rail corridor.The tender requires the contractor to work on the updated alignment of the project, which currently includes eight stations. Three stations will be located in Tamil Nadu — Chennai Central, Poonamalle and Parandur. While the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) had proposed a station at Parandur in its original detailed project report (DPR), the latest tender has designated it as a “future station”. The remaining stations have been classified as “stop stations”.
The project is targeted for completion by 2035 and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru. The bullet train, designed to operate at speeds of up to 350 kmph, is expected to bring the journey time down to less than an hour, compared with the current travel time of around seven hours. The upcoming Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway is expected to reduce road travel time to about three hours.
According to the terms of reference, the first station will be developed on the western side of Chennai Suburban Railway Station. It will be connected to Chennai Central railway station and the Chennai Metro network through 100-metre and 50-metre linkages, respectively.
The corridor will feature three tunnels, including a 1.7-km tunnel near Chennai Central. The remaining stretch will be developed as an elevated corridor passing through key locations such as Perambur, Kolathur, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Grand Northern Trunk Road near Madhavaram, Padi, Chennai Bypass, Chennai-Thiruvallur Highway, Annanur, Poonamalle and Arakkonam.
The Chennai-Bengaluru bullet train corridor is part of India’s broader high-speed rail expansion programme aimed at improving intercity connectivity and reducing travel times between major urban centres.
Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway Project Gains Momentum, Targeted for Completion Before Dec 2027
Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway Project Gains Momentum, Completion Targeted Before December 2027. The Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway project under NH-275 is progressing steadily, with construction activity advancing across all four packages and land acquisition nearing completion, according to official data.
Around 18.3% of the overall construction work has been completed, while land acquisition has reached the final stage across the project corridor. Of the nearly 560.4 acres required for the project, 98% of the land hasbeen made available for packages 2 and 3, 97% for package 4 and 96% for package 5.
Construction progress varies across the project packages. Package 2, covering 22.7 km, has achieved 13.6% completion, while package 3, spanning 24.1 km, has recorded 24.5% progress. Package 4, covering 26.5 km, is 18.4% complete, and package 5, extending across 18.9 km, has achieved 16.6% progress.
The highway project is targeted for completion before December 2027. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said the remaining land acquisition work would be completed shortly, paving the way for further progress on the project.
Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to Be Operational in Full Within Two Years
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be fully completed within two years, with 75-80% of the Rs.1.10 lakh crore project already finished. Addressing a public gathering in Mandana, Kota, after inspecting the expressway and the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve Tunnel, Gadkari said the remaining work would be completed within the targeted timeframe, enabling faster travel between Delhi, Mumbai and key destinations along the corridor.
“The expressway still needs improvement. I give you my word that within two years the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be fully completed, enabling people to travel by car from Delhi to Nariman Point and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port within about 12 hours,” Gadkari said.
The minister said the idea for the expressway corridor emerged during an earlier visit to Kota, when he identified the need for a more direct road link between Delhi and the region.
During the event, Gadkari announced several highway projects for the Kota region, including approval for a 10-km four-lane Mukundara Bypass on the Kota-Jhalawar section of National Highway-52 at an estimated cost of Rs.551 crore. Construction is expected to begin within three months.
The Centre has also approved a 21-km four-lane greenfield spur connecting Kota with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway through Alantpura, involving an investment of around Rs.1,000 crore. Work on the project is likely to start within three months.
Gadkari further announced plans for the Rs.15,000 crore Atal Express Highway connecting Kota and Etawah along the Chambal River. The project, earlier referred to as the Chambal Express Highway, has been renamed after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently under preparation, with construction to begin after completion of planning.
The minister also said the DPR process has begun for a proposed connection between Bhawani Mandi and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway following requests from public representatives.
Highlighting the economic impact of highway development, Gadkari said improved connectivity would encourage investments in industries, logistics parks, educational institutions, medical colleges and agro-based industries, particularly in tribal regions along the expressway route.
He said infrastructure development plays a key role in economic growth, quoting former US President John F Kennedy: “American roads are not good because America is rich; America is rich because American roads are good.”
Gadkari also highlighted initiatives to promote sustainable road construction, including the use of nearly 80 lakh tonnes of municipal waste in road projects and the development of bio-bitumen from crop residue. He said technology was helping convert waste into valuable resources.
Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota-Bundi MP Om Birla and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma were among those present at the event. Gadkari had earlier inspected the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project.
Chennai-Bengaluru Bullet Train Corridor Enters Cosmic CRF Wins Fresh Railway and Infrastructure Orders Worth Rs.862.66 Lakh.
Cold rolled formed sections manufacturer Cosmic CRF Ltd has secured multiple domestic purchase orders worth a combined Rs.862.66 lakh, including GST, strengthening its presence across the infrastructure and Indian Railways sectors.
The latest order wins include a major infrastructure contract along with two railway component supply orders, adding to the company’s order pipeline and providing near-term revenue visibility. The largest order, valued at Rs.755.20 lakh, has been received from an infrastructure sector customer. Under the contract, Cosmic CRF will supply 1,000 metric tonnes of heavy industrial Z Sheet Piles with a thickness of 10 mm and length of 12 metres.
The company will execute the supply within a period of less than three months from the agreement date, according to details shared in the filing.
In the railway segment, Cosmic CRF has secured two orders worth a combined Rs.107.46 lakh for manufacturing specialised components for Indian Railways.
The company received a Rs.60.79 lakh order from North Central Railway to manufacture and supply 28 sets of full Body Side Arrangements for standard BOXN (LW) wagons using cold rolled formed structural sections. The order is scheduled for completion within four months.
Cosmic CRF has also won a Rs.46.67 lakh order from Southern Railway for the production of 35 Body Side Arrangements conforming to RDSO Specification No. WD-12-BOXN (REHAB) 2006 (REV. 1). The company will complete the supply within one month as part of the railway division’s rolling stock rehabilitation requirements.
The multi-sector order wins highlight Cosmic CRF’s manufacturing capabilities at its production facility in Singur, Hooghly district, West Bengal, and strengthen its position as a supplier to infrastructure and railway customers.
Mahi Banswara Nuclear Project Gains Momentum as India Issues Major EPC Tender.
India has invited bids for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package worth over Rs.28,000 crore for the Mahi Banswara nuclear power project in Rajasthan, marking a major step forward for the country’s nuclear expansion programme.
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and NTPC, has issued the tender for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) for the project. The tender covers engineering, design, supply, inspection, testing, packing, transportation to site, storage, fabrication, civil works, erection, examination, commissioning, operation and maintenance activities as specified for the nuclear island package.
The EPC contract pertains to Units 1 to 4 of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP-1 to 4), according to the bid document.
The project is expected to play a significant role in strengthening India’s nuclear power capacity and supporting the country’s long-term clean energy transition goals.
Jalandhar Cantt Station Redevelopment Reviewed by Union Minister Ravneet Bittu.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu recently inspected the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantt railway station to review preparations ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled inauguration of the project.
Bittu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the redevelopment initiative, describing it as a landmark upgrade for Punjab’s railway infrastructure. He said the project has transformed one of the region’s key stations into a modern passenger facility while retaining its architectural heritage.
The 110-year-old Jalandhar Cantt railway station has been redeveloped at an estimated cost of around Rs.125 crore. The modernisation project incorporates design elements reflecting Punjab’s cultural heritage along with upgraded passenger amenities. The redeveloped station features a spacious double-height air concourse, heavy steel platform roofing, slip-resistant flooring, energy-efficient LED lighting, improved access from both sides of the city and two new foot-over-bridges measuring six metres and nine metres in width.
Additional facilities include a 40-metre-wide trough roof covering 200 metres of platform length, spanning 8,720 square metres, a 36-metre-wide air concourse covering 1,770 square metres, a second entry with a 300-square-metre station building and a 4,855-square-metre parking area.
The station currently handles an average daily passenger footfall of about 7,500 and serves 66 Up and 66 Down trains. These include two pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, one Humsafar Express, one Garib Rath Express and several Mail, Express and Passenger services. The station is dedicated exclusively to passenger operations and does not handle freight traffic.
During the inspection, Bittu reviewed passenger facilities and preparations for the inauguration event, expressing satisfaction with the progress and quality of redevelopment work.
He said the upgraded station will improve passenger convenience and reflect Indian Railways’ focus on developing modern, safe, accessible and world-class infrastructure while preserving regional cultural identity.
Manesar Launches Preparatory Work for Waste-to-Energy Project.
The Manesar Municipal Corporation (MCM) has initiated groundwork for the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Kasan village, beginning the process of securing the remaining 10 acres of land allocated for the project.
The civic body has started preparations to fence the newly acquired land parcel, which will complete the 20-acre site earmarked for the facility. Once operational, the plant will process municipal solid waste (MSW), including household and commercial garbage, and convert it into energy.
MCM Executive Engineer Nijesh Kumar said the corporation had initially taken possession of 10 acres of land, which was already fenced, and has now acquired the remaining 10 acres. “Fencing will be completed in 15 to 20 days,” he said.
The civic body recently floated a tender to appoint an agency for fencing the additional land acquired by the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) for the project. The waste-to-energy project gained momentum in March after the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) formed a committee to prepare a model Request for Proposal (RFP) for WTE projects in major municipal corporations, including Gurugram, Faridabad and Hisar.
The project is proposed to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has also issued a model RFP framework to help states and urban local bodies develop technically feasible and financially sustainable waste-to-energy projects.
The committee is responsible for preparing techno-economic feasibility reports, identifying suitable project sites, assessing waste availability, developing the power purchase agreement (PPA) framework, estimating project costs and evaluating environmental requirements, including the management of residual waste.
However, environmental groups have raised concerns over waste-to-energy plants, arguing that burning mixed municipal waste can release harmful air pollutants and may not comply with provisions under the 2016 Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules.
Jaipur development authority initiates land acquisition in Jagatpura for Mahal Road connectivity.
The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has begun the land acquisition process to complete a crucial missing road link in Jaipur’s Jagatpura area, issuing notices to 27 landholders for around 24,000 square metres of land.
The acquisition is aimed at completing a 600-metre missing stretch of a sector road off Mahal Road, which has been identified in the city’s Master Plan as an important connectivity corridor. Officials said the incomplete portion, located in the Prahladpura area, has left industrial and residential zones without direct access due to the absence of a paved road.
At present, the unpaved stretch has disrupted connectivity between the Prahladpura Industrial Area and the Ring Road, causing logistical challenges for commuters and industries. “Due to the unpaved road, there is no direct connectivity between the Prahladpura Industrial Area and the Ring Road,” an official said.
JDA officials stated that the acquisition process will proceed through a structured engagement with landowners and the district administration, with compensation to be provided as per prescribed rules. Meetings have already been held with affected landholders.
On July 2, the Sanganer Sub-Divisional Magistrate and the deputy commissioner of the concerned Jaipur Municipal Corporation zone conducted discussions and issued acquisition notices during the meetings, another official said.
Once completed, the missing link is expected to significantly improve regional mobility by providing nearly 200 industrial units in the Prahladpura Industrial Area direct access to Mahal Road and the Ring Road. It will also help motorists travelling from Mahal Road towards Tonk Road bypass the congested Bilwa and Prahladpura underpasses.
Officials further noted that the new road will eventually integrate with the under-construction cloverleaf interchange on Tonk Road, enhancing its role as a key arterial route for residents and commuters in the Jagatpura region.
