Delhi’s Ansal Plaza, inaugurated in 1999 as the city’s first modern shopping mall, has long been an iconic destination for shoppers. Once celebrated for introducing the capital to weekend mall culture, it is now largely deserted, reflecting broader shifts in retail preferences and urban development patterns. Generations who grew up…
Tag: #UrbanDevelopment
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MoHUA Strengthens Urban Financing via Municipal Bonds
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on 18 February 2026 organised a high-level consultation titled “Municipal Bonds Unpacked – A Dialogue with the Intermediaries” to explore strategies for deepening the municipal bond market and strengthening alternative financing mechanisms for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The session brought together senior…
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JP Ganga Path Sees Dip in Crowds After Vendor Shift
Patna: The once-bustling Marine Drive stretch along JP Ganga Path in Patna has turned noticeably quieter after authorities shifted street vendors as part of an ongoing beautification drive. The reduced footfall has changed the character of the popular riverfront, drawing mixed reactions from regular visitors and local vendors. Riverfront Loses…
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Cabinet Clears ₹1 Lakh Crore Urban Challenge Fund
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launch of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) with a Central Assistance of ₹1 lakh crore, marking a major shift in India’s urban development strategy towards market-driven growth and reform-based financing. Announced as part of the Union Budget 2025–26…
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Lakshya Zero Dumpsites: India’s Mission for Cleaner Cities
India is intensifying efforts to eliminate legacy urban dumpsites through the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), launched in November 2025 under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The initiative, dubbed Lakshya: Zero Dumpsites, targets complete remediation of city dumpsites by October 2026, prioritising 214 high-impact locations containing nearly 80% of remaining waste….
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Marina Beach Vendors’ Livelihood at Risk Amid Blue Flag Push
Chennai’s iconic Marina Beach has once again become the site of a simmering conflict, as thousands of long-time vendors fear the loss of their livelihoods under a civic plan aimed at securing Blue Flag Certification. The Greater Chennai Corporation’s proposal to reduce vending units on the beach from 1,417 to…
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Female Labour Participation Hits Yearly High in Dec 2025
The latest Monthly Bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) shows a continued upward trend in overall labour force participation for persons aged 15 years and above, reaching 56.1% in December 2025. Female labour force participation (LFPR) recorded a…
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SWAMIH Fund Revives Housing Sector, Protects Homebuyers
The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund, launched in November 2019, has successfully protected homebuyers’ interests while reviving stalled housing projects and boosting the economy. Managed by SBI Ventures Limited, SWAMIH provides last-mile financing to distressed residential projects, easing the burden on middle-class families. Key Achievements…
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India Launches Rs 17 Lakh Crore PPP Project Pipeline
In a major push to boost infrastructure investment, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), under the Ministry of Finance, has unveiled a three-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) project pipeline. Announced as part of the Union Budget 2025-26, the pipeline includes 852 projects spanning Central Infrastructure Ministries and States/Union Territories, with…
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Shashi Tharoor Defends Bengaluru Demolition Drive
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has defended the Karnataka government’s recent demolition drive in Bengaluru, asserting that all legal procedures were duly followed and alternative arrangements had been promised to affected residents. The move, which sparked debate within the party, targeted houses built on government land. Tharoor highlighted that the demolished…