URBAN
41% polling recorded till 1 pm in Punjab municipal elections
Punjab's municipal elections witnessed a 41% voter turnout by 1 pm on Saturday. Over 3,300 candidates contested across five corporations and 44 councils. Allegations of fake voting and booth vandalism surfaced in Patiala, with BJP and SAD raising concerns. These polls serve as a crucial test for the ruling AAP and other parties.
Young generation must work with a sense of responsibility toward the nation and society: Narayana Murthy
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy emphasized that true nationalism lies in working for India's betterment, not just symbolic displays. He urged the youth to contribute responsibly to society, particularly for the underprivileged. Murthy also warned about climate change's potential to trigger mass migration to already strained urban centers like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, advocating for collaborative mitigation efforts.
World Bank okays $800 million loan to develop Amaravati
The World Bank approved an $800 million loan to India for developing Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, as a sustainable and economically vibrant urban center. This funding aims to attract private investment, create jobs, and accommodate a projected population increase to 3.5 million by 2050. The loan has a 29-year maturity period with a six-year grace period.
Bombay HC upholds Dharavi redevelopment award to Adani Group, dismisses Seclink challenge
The Bombay High Court dismissed Seclink Technologies Corp's plea, challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to award the Dharavi redevelopment project to an Adani Group firm. The court upheld the state's decision, citing the government's authority in tender matters. Seclink, claiming to be the rightful highest bidder under the original tender, argued the new tender unfairly excluded them.
World Bank approves USD 800 mn loan for Amaravati construction
The World Bank approved an $800 million loan to develop Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh's new capital city. The funding will support the creation of a sustainable, economically vibrant urban center, generating jobs and improving residents' lives. The loan, repayable over 29 years, will leverage global expertise in urban planning and infrastructure development.
Delhi needs 1.7 million new homes by 2041, says report
Delhi's population is projected to swell by 12 million by 2041, requiring 1.7 million new homes. This presents a major opportunity for developers, but also necessitates bold reforms and sustainable housing solutions like transit-oriented development and slum rehabilitation to address the existing housing deficit and accommodate future growth.
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India to soon have second largest metro network in world: Manohar Lal
India is expanding its metro network. 997 kilometers of metro rail is under construction across 28 cities. 993 kilometers is already operational in 23 cities. The government is focusing on urban mobility. This will help manage the growing urban population. India aims to have the world's second-largest metro network.
Centre released Rs 47,225 crore to states and UTs under Smart Cities Mission: Tokhan Sahu
The Indian government has disbursed ?47,225 crore to states and union territories for the Smart Cities Mission as of November 15, with ?44,626 crore utilized. 7,352 projects, representing 91% of total projects, have been completed. The mission, launched in 2015, has been extended to March 31, 2025. Thirteen cities have completed all projects, while 48 have surpassed 90% completion.
Rs 13,422 crore disbursed to street vendors under PM SVANidhi scheme, Rajya Sabha told
The Union Housing Ministry disbursed over 94 lakh loans, totaling Rs 13,422 crore, to street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme. Over 40 lakh loans have been repaid. The scheme, launched in 2020, provides collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000. States are categorized and ranked based on disbursement performance, with Madhya Pradesh and Assam leading in July 2024.
Centre released Rs 71,889 crore to states under various heads for FY 2024-25
The central government has disbursed ?71,889 crore to states for fiscal year 2024-25, based on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations. The funds are allocated for various purposes, including disaster relief, local body grants, health, and fire service modernization. Significant allocations include ?18,362.25 crore for revenue deficit grants and ?15,823.20 crore for the State Disaster Response Fund.
FMCGs, beware! The coming year could be another hurdle for India¡¯s consumer market
India's urban middle class is curbing spending due to job scarcity and inflation, impacting the consumer goods sector. While rural demand holds strong, it's unlikely to fully offset the urban decline without policy intervention. FMCG companies face margin pressures, and overall economic growth has slowed, posing challenges for the sector's future.
India needs to build dense cities; relook at standards for building construction: Sanjeev Sanyal
Addressing a session on urban planning at the Global Economic Policy Forum 2024, organised by the CII, Sanyal who is the member of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM) called for a bottom-up approach to design new cities and upgrading the existing ones so that Indian cities are sustainable, liveable and economically viable.
Urban middle-class households shrink, rich club sees big jump
A new report reveals a widening socio-economic gap in urban India. Affluent households surged by 86% in 2024 compared to 2019, while lower and lower-middle-class households declined by 25%. This shift has led to stagnating urban consumption and weak demand for mass-priced goods, impacting FMCG companies reliant on urban markets.
MUDA case: Karnataka High Court issues notice to Governor on writ appeal from Chief Minister
Karnataka High Court has issued notices to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and others in response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's appeal against a previous judgment. The earlier ruling permitted an investigation into land allotment dealings involving Siddaramaiah's family in Mysuru. The case will be heard next on January 25, 2025.
Over 88 lakh houses delivered under PMAY-U, govt tells Rajya Sabha
More than 88 lakh houses have been delivered under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), with over 1.18 crore houses sanctioned until November 18, 2024. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched PMAY-U 2.0 'Housing for All' Mission to construct, purchase, and rent 10 million houses by eligible beneficiaries at affordable costs.
Hyderabad is running out of breath: City's ventilation crisis sparks concerns over urban planning
A study using GIS reveals that urban expansion and industrialisation in Hyderabad have led to severe ventilation issues, disproportionately affecting densely populated marginalised areas. The poorly ventilated zones surged from 0.7% to 31.6% over 30 years. The study calls for urgent ventilation-sensitive urban planning to tackle worsening air quality and socio-economic disparities.
Centre approves Rs 1,115 crore to states for disaster mitigation, capacity-building projects
The government approved substantial funding for disaster management. Rs 1,000 crore will go to 15 states for mitigation projects. Another Rs 115.67 crore is allocated for training civil defence volunteers across India. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh each received Rs 139 crore. The Northeast received a combined Rs 378 crore. This initiative aims to strengthen disaster resilience and minimize losses.
Piyush Goyal urges Credai to assess construction's impact on air quality, prioritise affordable rental housing
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed Credai on their 25th anniversary. He requested a team to study construction's effect on air quality in major cities. Goyal suggested exploring better building methods for faster construction and business growth. He also emphasized affordable rental housing to eliminate slums. The government is ready to support such initiatives.
Consumer staple demand recovers in rural areas, urban areas witness slowdown: Report
Rural and semi-urban markets in India showed recovering consumer demand in the second quarter of FY25, while urban centers experienced a slowdown. Inflation, competitive pressures, and rising input costs squeezed margins, leading companies to raise prices. Despite these challenges, modern trade and e-commerce channels saw double-digit growth.
Reddit user proposes ¡°Zepto but for garbage collection¡± in Indian cities like Bengaluru
The proposed app aims to provide scheduled pickups, tracking and proper disposal, targeting areas with unreliable municipal services. However, navigating local politics and operational challenges may pose significant hurdles for the innovative idea.
Slum area in Mumbai declines by 8.6% over 17 years: Study
A recent study has shown that the land occupied by slums in Mumbai decreased by 8.6% between 2005 and 2022. While some slums shrank, others expanded, and the overall density of slums increased. The study highlights the dynamic nature of slums in Mumbai, with growth shifting to outer regions and densification occurring within existing slums.
Transportation Hub: MoS Karandlaje urges Siddaramaiah to hand over 45-acre of land for metro project in Bengaluru
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje requested Karnataka CM to transfer 45 acres of land to BMRCL. The land is currently with KIADB. BMRCL wants to build a transportation hub there. The hub will have metro stations, parking, and a depot. BMRCL will pay KIADB for the land. The project will benefit commuters in Bangalore.
Kochi Biennale Foundation names Thomas Varghese new CEO
The Kochi Biennale Foundation has appointed Thomas Varghese, former UN official, as its new CEO. Varghese brings local knowledge and international experience to the role. The Foundation also appointed Fereshte Sethna as legal advisor and Kuruvilla & Jose as auditors, marking a significant restructuring effort.
ADB commits USD 200 mn loan to upgrade water supply, other urban services in Uttarakhand
The project will enhance transportation, urban mobility, drainage, flood management, and overall public services in Haldwani, the economic hub of the state. Additionally, it will improve water supply delivery in four cities - Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar - by developing efficient and climate-resilient water supply systems.
Festive consumption growth halved in 2024 as urban demand slacks, notes Nomura
Nomura reports festive consumption growth has dropped to 15% this year. Analysts observed slower growth in retail sales both offline and online. Demand in rural areas and tier-2 and tier-3 cities remained stable. However, metros and industrial demand weakened. Nomura suggests a cyclical economic slowdown is underway.
Karnataka HC issues notice to CM Siddaramaiah, others on plea seeking transfer of MUDA case to CBI
The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in response to a petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in MUDA site allotments. The Lokayukta police, who have already questioned Siddaramaiah's wife, have summoned the Chief Minister for questioning on November 6.
IIT Guwahati Research Park Foundation strengthens innovation through three strategic MoAs
IIT Guwahati Research Park Foundation has partnered with three organizations to boost research and development in sustainable urbanization, healthcare innovation, and deep tech entrepreneurship. These collaborations aim to address critical urban challenges, reduce dependency on imported medical equipment, and foster local expertise in emerging technologies within the Northeast region.
Green roofs can help reduce floods in dense urban areas, says IIT B, CEPT University study
Planting small trees on rooftops can help reduce flooding in crowded cities. A study by CEPT University and IIT Bombay highlights that green roofs can absorb rainwater, keeping buildings cooler and aiding rainwater harvesting. However, not all buildings are suitable for this solution.
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