NDMC to Build 8 Sewage Treatment Plants, Recycled Water to Maintain Delhi’s Green Cover.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to set up eight decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, aiming to reuse treated water for horticulture, fountains, and water bodies across the city. The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on freshwater for maintaining Delhi’s green cover.
The proposed STPs, with capacities ranging from 500 to 1,000 kilolitres per day (KLD), will be located at key sites including Shanti Path, Lodhi Garden, Sanjay Lake Park, and Talkatora Garden. Officials said the treated sewage water will be used to maintain NDMC’s green cover amid limited freshwater availability.
The civic body has set 15 April as the last date for bid submissions, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for 1 April. Selected private developers will execute, operate, and maintain the STPs for a 12-year period. The tender does not specify a fixed project cost, requiring bidders to propose their own financial models. An initial security deposit of Rs.10 lakh and a performance security of Rs.40 lakh are mandated. The concessionaire will be selected based on the lowest “treated water rate” quoted during competitive bidding.
Catering to around 3.5 lakh residents and nearly 15 lakh daily visitors, NDMC expects the project to conserve water and strengthen environmental sustainability in the national capital.
Meghalaya Joins Centre in MoU for JJM 2.0 to Enhance Rural Water Infrastructure.
The Jal Shakti Ministry recently signed a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya government to enhance the availability of clean and safe tap water in rural areas under the National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). With this agreement, Meghalaya became the 12th state in the country to join the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil expressed confidence that Meghalaya would soon achieve 100 per cent tap water coverage, noting the state’s current achievement of 83 per cent coverage under the Mission. He urged the state to accelerate implementation and complete the remaining work promptly.
Patil also highlighted that although the original deadline for JJM was May 2024, it has been extended to December 2028, and the Union Cabinet has approved an additional outlay of Rs.1.51 lakh crore for the Mission, including Rs.67,300 crore allocated in the 2025-26 Union Budget. Conrad K Sangma said Meghalaya had adopted a comprehensive Water Policy in 2019 and established a climate council involving multiple departments. He noted that all departments are working together to address water-related challenges, including awareness generation, soil conservation, and operations and maintenance, and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to implementing the MoU provisions to ensure both quantity and quality of water supply sustainably
Meghalaya has achieved 83.59 per cent rural tap water coverage since the launch of JJM, a significant improvement from its earlier status among the lowest in the country. The reform-linked MoU aims to guarantee that every rural household has regular access to drinking water of prescribed quality and quantity through strengthened community participation, or Jan Bhagidari.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Patil and Minister of State for Jal Shakti V Somanna, while Chief Minister Sangma joined via video conference. Marcuise N Marak and senior officials from both the ministry and the state government were also present.
The agreement was exchanged between Swati Meena Naik of the ministry and Praveen Bakshi. DDWS secretary Ashok KK Meena emphasised that the MoU prioritises sustainable, community-managed services, with gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees empowered to operate and maintain in-village water supply systems.
Cabinet approves revised UDAN scheme with Rs.28,840 crore outlay to boost regional air connectivity.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Narendra Modi, has approved a revamped version of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme with a total outlay of Rs.28,840 crore, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity and expanding aviation infrastructure in underserved areas.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined key changes during a Cabinet briefing, highlighting enhanced financial support and a sharper focus on remote and low-traffic regions.
Infrastructure expansion
Under the revised scheme, the government plans to develop 100 new airports using a challenge-based approach, with an average cost of Rs.100 crore per airport and Rs.12,159 crore allocated for this component.
Additionally, 200 modern helipads will be built, particularly in hilly regions, the North-East, island territories, and aspirational districts where conventional airports are difficult to construct.
Helicopter services are expected to improve last-mile connectivity in such areas, with Rs.3,661 crore earmarked for the initiative.
The scheme also supports the acquisition of domestically manufactured aircraft, with Rs.400 crore allocated for this purpose.
Financial support for airlines and operations
The modified UDAN introduces enhanced viability gap funding (VGF), providing 80–90% support to airlines operating on regional routes. This support will taper over five years, with a total allocation of Rs.10,043 crore.
A new operational and maintenance (O&M) component has been included to help smaller airports and helipads sustain themselves despite limited commercial activity, with Rs.2,577 crore earmarked for a three-year O&M window.
Each RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) airport will receive up to Rs.3 crore annually, while helipads will get Rs.90 lakh per year.
“Small airports have limited commercial activity, which makes it difficult to generate sufficient revenue to meet operational and maintenance costs. This is why O&M support has now been incorporated into the scheme,” Vaishnaw said, adding that the move would help sustain regional connectivity and “democratise transportation in India.”
Connectivity and economic impact
The government expects the revised scheme to connect 120 new destinations and enable air travel for around 4 crore additional passengers.
Expansion is projected to boost aviation infrastructure in remote and hilly areas, support tourism, create jobs, promote regional economic development, and improve access to emergency services including disaster response and medical evacuation.
Since its launch, the UDAN scheme has operationalised 663 routes and 95 aerodromes, with 10 airline operators participating.
Approximately 1.62 crore passengers have travelled under the scheme, with over 3.41 lakh flights completed, reflecting steady growth in regional air connectivity across the country.
Maha Metro, Pune Municipal Corporation Conduct Inspection Ahead of Metro Line Extension.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Maha Metro have started joint inspections along the proposed Vanaz–Chandni Chowk Metro extension to review the alignment of the viaduct, station locations, entry-exit points, and the design of a proposed double-decker flyover at Kothrud depot.
Officials from PMC said additional inspections are likely in the coming days. The exercise aims to clarify project execution and minimize disruptions during construction. Maha Metro has already begun the process of appointing an agency to carry out the work.
The 1.4 km extension will include two stations—Kothrud depot and Chandni Chowk—providing direct connectivity to Chandni Chowk, a key entry point to the city. PMC has requested that sufficient space be maintained for footpaths and road carriageways, considering the heavy traffic along the route. Authorities have also sought details on barricade placements at critical points during construction.
A civic official said, “We have asked Maha Metro to clearly mark station entry and exit points and provide a probable timeline for the work.”
The proposed double-decker flyover at Kothrud depot, intended for vehicular traffic, will be constructed simultaneously with the Metro viaduct by Maha Metro to ease congestion along the busy stretch. Meanwhile, a pedestrian overbridge at Chandni Chowk Metro station is planned to connect commuters to the Katraj–Dehu Road bypass, improving accessibility.
Local residents have urged authorities to ensure convenient access to both the Metro station and the bypass. “We expect a bridge that will provide easy access to commuters on both sides of the Katraj–Dehu Road bypass,” said a resident.
Madhya Pradesh to Get Four-Lane Badnawar–Timarwani Highway, Cabinet Approves Rs.3,839 Crore.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a four-lane highway corridor between Badnawar and Timarwani in Madhya Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs.3,839.42 crore.
The project involves developing an 80.45 km stretch of National Highway-752D, connecting Badnawar, Petlawad, Thandla, and Timarwani. Upon completion, the corridor will link Ujjain with the Timarwani interchange of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, reducing travel time along the route by about one hour.
The highway will pass through tribal areas of Dhar and Jhabua districts, with parts of Dhar district included under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Blocks Programme. It will feature six major bridges, 34 minor bridges, and one road under bridge, along with nine vehicle underpasses, 29 light vehicle underpasses, and four small vehicle underpasses.
Construction is expected to take 24 months under the hybrid annuity model, with a concession period of 17 years, including two years for construction and 15 years for operation and maintenance. Officials said the project will strengthen regional connectivity, support economic activity, and enhance freight movement in Dhar and Jhabua districts. The existing road operates as an intermediate-lane stretch with speeds of 20–50 kmph due to limited road geometry.
The upgraded highway will allow speeds of 80–100 kmph and provide a continuous four-lane link between Ujjain and the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
The corridor also forms part of the shortest route connecting Gujarat and Maharashtra with Ujjain, and the upgraded highway is expected to manage higher traffic volumes, including during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in April 2028, while improving access to industrial hubs and logistics
centers in Indore, Pithampur, Ujjain, and Dewas.
Cabinet Greenlights Rs.3,631 Cr Elevated Corridor for Jewar Airport–Delhi–Mumbai Expressway Connectivity.
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a greenfield connectivity corridor linking Noida International Airport with the Faridabad–Ballabhgarh–Sohna spur of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, at a revised cost of Rs.3,631 crore.
According to an official communiqué issued on Tuesday, the project will include a 7.8-km elevated corridor designed to provide direct connectivity between the upcoming airport and the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway network, improving regional access and reducing travel time.
The government said around 7.8 km of the alignment will pass through notified urban limits under the Faridabad Master Plan 2031, forming part of the broader effort to strengthen connectivity to the new airport.
The corridor is expected to enhance road access to the upcoming airport and support traffic movement across the National Capital Region, particularly along the Faridabad–Ballabhgarh–Sohna route linked to the expressway network.
Kerala Sees Rs.10,800-Crore Project Launch by PM Modi Despite State Government Snub.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated multiple infrastructure and development projects worth over Rs.10,800 crore in Kerala, despite a boycott of the event by the State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers.
Kerala ministers stayed away following the exclusion of the State’s PWD Minister PA Mohammed Riyas from the inaugural ceremony of the first stretch of the six-lane expansion of National Highway 66 in Kozhikode. Prior to the Prime Minister’s inauguration, Mohammed Riyas conducted a protest roadshow at Ramanattukara in Kozhikode, calling the omission of a State minister from the event a humiliation to Kerala.
Chennai Port–Maduravoyal Double-Tier Corridor Scheduled for November 2027 Completion.
The 4-lane, double-tier elevated corridor connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal, being constructed at a cost of over Rs.3,500 crore, is scheduled for completion by November 2027, according to Virender Sambal, Regional Officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The 20.9 km-long project was originally initiated in 2010 but terminated in 2016, before being restarted in 2023 following requests from the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Port Trust, guided by a technical committee. The corridor’s double-tier design will efficiently segregate different types of traffic, improving flow and safety.
The project is expected to significantly enhance Chennai Port’s cargo handling capacity, increasing it from the current 53 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to an estimated 200 mtpa by 2047, the NHAI release said.
The corridor is seen as a key infrastructure initiative to strengthen logistics and trade efficiency in the region.
MRTS Extension Between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount to Start
Southern Railway has received the Provisional Authorisation Certificate from the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) for commissioning the Velachery–St. Thomas Mount Phase-II section of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
Following the authorisation, services on the extended stretch will commence from March 14, the Chennai Division of Southern Railway said. The new timetable will include 43 pairs of services between Chennai Beach railway station and St. Thomas Mount railway station, two pairs between Chennai Beach and Velachery railway station, and three pairs of services between St. Thomas Mount and Velachery.
According to Southern Railway, the extension will provide direct connectivity across the MRTS corridor and offer a more seamless suburban rail travel experience for commuters.
Government Approves Rs.283 Crore for Dimapur Station Modernisation.
The Central government has approved Rs.283 crore for the modernisation of the historic Dimapur railway station in Nagaland, a key rail hub in the Northeast, state Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Pawang Konyak told the Assembly recently.
Speaking during a discussion on the station’s status, Konyak highlighted that Dimapur remains the second highest revenue-earning railway station in the Northeast. He added that both the concerned department and landowners have written to the Ministry of Railways seeking compensation, and are currently awaiting a response.
Dimapur, Nagaland’s main commercial city, is located about 70 km from the state capital, Kohima. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasised the need for an amicable settlement of land-related issues to ensure the modernisation project proceeds smoothly.
In his remarks, Chief Minister Rio noted that the Dimapur Railway Station, inaugurated in 1903, predates the formation of Nagaland as a state in 1963. At the time, certain constitutional provisions regarding land ownership did not exist, and railway authorities had occupied land for railway purposes long before the state came into existence. Over the years, encroachments increased, and some were regularised, complicating the current situation.
Chief Minister Rio called for constructive dialogue between the state government and Indian Railways to reach an amicable solution, particularly regarding compensation for landowners, while cautioning that demands should not be excessively high.
During the discussion, National People’s Party MLA Nuklutoshi highlighted long-standing negligence by various stakeholders, noting that the Northeast Frontier Railway remained silent for years as illegal constructions emerged on railway land. He outlined three possible options for resolving land issues: compensation for resettlement, forceful eviction, or relocating the station.
MLA Nuklutoshi added that while new railway expansion projects towards Kohima and other areas are planned, those stations would be smaller, and Dimapur will continue to serve as the state’s main railway station.
The modernisation project of Dimapur railway station is expected to upgrade facilities, improve infrastructure, and reinforce its role as a critical rail hub for Nagaland and the Northeast region.
Government Approves Rs.132.51 Crore Road Over Bridge Project at Deendayal Port.
The government recently approved a Rs.132.51 crore road over bridge (ROB) project at Deendayal Port, aimed at improving cargo movement and reducing congestion at the port. The proposal was cleared by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The ROB will be constructed at level crossing 235 by Western Railway on a deposit basis, forming part of efforts to strengthen port connectivity. The project falls under the government’s flagship Sagarmala Programme and aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to enhance multi-modal logistics and transport efficiency.
The proposal was reviewed by the Delegated Investment Board to assess the revised cost and ensure compliance with safety and technical standards. Sonowal said the ROB will remove critical bottlenecks, improve cargo movement, and strengthen India’s logistics efficiency. “We are building integrated infrastructure that accelerates trade, enhances safety, and supports economic growth,” he added.
According to the ministry, the ROB will enable uninterrupted movement across the rail crossing, currently a constraint for cargo evacuation. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce congestion, speed up cargo handling, and improve operational efficiency at the port, while supporting the broader maritime logistics network.
The ministry has also directed all major ports to map their projects on the PM Gati Shakti portal to enhance coordination and accelerate infrastructure development nationwide.
Rail Connectivity Boost: Rs.4,474-Crore Multitracking Projects Greenlit in East India.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently approved two major railway multitracking projects in West Bengal and Jharkhand, with an estimated cost of Rs.4,474 crore.
The projects involve constructing a fourth railway line on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur sections. Scheduled for completion by 2030–31, the works will add approximately 192 km to Indian Railways’ existing network.
The additional lines are expected to increase capacity on existing routes, ease congestion, and improve operational efficiency and service reliability. The projects will cover five districts across West Bengal and Jharkhand, strengthening regional rail connectivity and potentially benefiting around 5,652 villages with a combined population of about 14.7 million.
The routes are vital for transporting commodities such as coal, stone, dolomite, cement, slag, gypsum, iron and steel, foodgrains, and petroleum products. The capacity expansion is expected to enable an additional 31 million tonnes of freight traffic annually.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to improve multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency. The government said the increased rail freight could reduce logistics costs and fuel consumption, potentially cutting oil imports by 60 million litres and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 280 million kilograms.
These projects represent a significant step toward modernizing India’s railway network while supporting sustainable and efficient transport solutions.
