India Signs Air Service Pacts with 116 Nations for Global Connectivity

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Maharashtra approves Rs.207.87 billion for Shaktipeeth expressway

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved Rs. 207.87 billion for land acquisition for the 802-km Shaktipeeth Expressway, which will connect Pavnar in Wardha district to Patradevi on the Maharashtra–Goa border.The corridor will pass through 12 districts, including Yavatmal, Nanded, Latur, Solapur, and Sindhudurg, and link with the Konkan Expressway. The expressway, aimed at enhancing religious tourism and regional connectivity, is expected to reduce travel time between Nagpur and Goa from 18 to 8 hours.It will connect major pilgrimage destinations such as Mahur, Tuljapur, Kolhapur, Ambajogai, Pand..

Centre shelves Rs.80 billion greenfield cities plan

The Union government has dropped its Rs.80 billion plan to develop eight greenfield cities, originally recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, opting instead to invest in upgrading existing urban areas. The decision, reportedly made by the Prime Minister’s Office after consultations with NITI Aayog and the Asian Development Bank, marks a shift toward revitalising smaller cities— especially those with populations under 100,000— under a forthcoming Rs.1000 billion “urban challengeâ..