New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, on Wednesday launched the operational guidelines for the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) along with the Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS), saying the Rs 1 lakh crore fund is designed to mobilise nearly four times investment through market-based financing.Addressing the launch event, the minister said the UCF represents a paradigm shift in India’s approach to urban development, focusing on leveraging pu…
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Bhubaneswar, April 10 (IANS) Member of Parliament Aparajita Sarangi on Friday wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, strongly urging the Odisha government to revisit its recent decision to halt the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project. In her letter, Sarangi emphasised that Bhubaneswar is at a “tipping point” due to rapid urbanisation, rising traffic congestion, and the growing demand for sustainable mobility solutions.”Bhubaneswar has been witnessing rapid urbanisation and population growth …
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) India’s steel industry clocked a robust 10.7 per cent year-on-year growth in production at around 168.4 million tonnes during 2025–26, consolidating its position as the world’s second-largest producer while navigating global uncertainties and price pressures, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Steel on Wednesday.Domestic demand remained the key growth driver with finished steel consumption at 164 million tonnes, expanding by about 7–8 per cent, d…
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) India’s consumption boom is set to significantly drive the growth of the domestic packaging industry, which is projected to reach $92 billion by FY30, according to a report released on Tuesday.The report by Avendus Capital has estimated that the Indian packaging market will grow at a CAGR of around 9 per cent over the next five years, outpacing the country’s GDP growth by nearly 1.3 times.The sector is increasingly being seen as a direct proxy for consumption trend…
Gandhinagar, March 5 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday released a book that examines how cities can turn climate risks into opportunities for sustainable growth, amid growing concerns over the pace of urbanisation and its environmental impact.The book, titled “Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities – From Climate Risk to Green Opportunities”, was launched in Gandhinagar.It explores pathways for developing sustainable, climate-resilient and innovative cities as urban population…
Chennai, March 4 (IANS) Rapid and unplanned urban growth is placing increasing pressure on the water resources of the Chennai river basin, raising concerns about the city’s long-term water security. A new data-based assessment has warned that the steady disappearance of traditional water storage systems could significantly worsen water shortages in the coming decades. The study, carried out by the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company (TNGCC), a government body, in collaboration with the Council on…
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the world is actively seeking reliable and resilient manufacturing partners and “India has the opportunity to play this role strongly” amid shifting global dynamics.Addressing a post-Budget Webinar, focusing on the theme of “Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth”, PM Modi urged stakeholders to invest with confidence, adopt cutting-edge technology, make significant investments in research, and maintain global quality …
Gandhinagar, Feb 27 (IANS) The Gujarat government has announced a Rs 20 crore allocation in the 2026–27 state budget for the development of theme-based Namo Gaurav Park projects in municipal corporation areas, officials said on Friday.The total proposed outlay of Rs 100 crore is to create modern recreational infrastructure for urban residents. The provision has been made under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department.The decision has been taken in view of the growing demand for quali…
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 13 (IANS) In a landmark decision, the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Friday, approved Kerala’s Urban Policy, making the state the first in the country to formulate a comprehensive urban framework aimed at guiding development over the next 25 years. The draft policy, prepared by the Local Self-Government Department, received Cabinet clearance on Friday after nearly two years of sustained consultations and expert inputs.The initiative was first ann…
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Billionaire investor Mark Mobius said on Wednesday that India’s recent trade engagement with the European Union played a key role in pushing the United States to speed up its own deal with India. While he believes friendly ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump helped, Mobius made it clear that the agreement was mainly shaped by negotiators from both sides.In an interaction with IANS, Mobius said the India-US trade deal should not be des…