Synopsis: The $2.2-billion Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMR), a project aimed at providing mass rapid transport system and decongest the city, may now be extended to the new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), by adding a new line of 12 more km in the next phase. 

Synopsis: Driven by the need to conduct further research under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the urban development ministry will set up at least five Centres of Excellence in Urban Transport (CEUT) across premier institutions. 

Synopsis: The Board of Noida, Greater Noida and the Taj Expressway authorities yesterday gave its approval to several mega projects, including construction of Taj City. Other major projects planned to come up along the Expressway, include a Sports City to be built on 300 acre, an auto mart, fashion mart, book mart, city centre and a habitat mart. 

Synopsis: The finance ministry is considering a hike in the ceiling for viability gap funding (VGF) to 30% from the existing 20% for urban transport systems like metro, monorail and road rapid transport systems. According to sources in the government, the move could boost all mass transport systems being planned by various states. 

Synopsis: Haryana Government has spent an amount of Rs 72.69 crore on completion of 5390 works and 638 works are under progress under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in the State. A spokesman of the Rural Development Department said here today that scheme had been launched by Central Government from 23 December 1993 and provides an amount of Rs 2 crore per annum for the development works to each Member of Parliament under this scheme. 

Synopsis: The Kerala Cabinet has approved the Rs 3000 crore Kochi Metro Rail project and sent it to the Centre for ratification, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said today. The project envisages having rail transport facility on an elevated platform between Aluva and Tripunithura covering a distance of 25 km and would be implemented by Delhi Metro Corporation. 

Synopsis: The parking lots that will look like malls are expected to be ready in two years' time. The NDMC is constructing three parking lots (Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Sarojini Nagar and Kasturba Gandhi Marg) as part of the infrastructure augmentation plan for Commonwealth Games 2010. 

Synopsis: Building of urban infrastructure requires large funds, but there are limitations on budgetary allocation of funds for projects. This situation underscores the need for public-private participation (PPP) in various projects for urban development Ports said Secretary, Urban Development, Government of India. 

Synopsis: Mumbaikars could soon find relief in the form of state-of-the-art magnetic levitation (or, maglev) trains running at speeds of up to 300 kmph. As a first step, six bidders on Monday filed expressions of interest with the Maharashtra government for appointment as consultants for the mega project. 

Synopsis: The success of Delhi Metro is expected to be replicated over half-a-dozen mega cities in the country. The Tamil Nadu government has announced an investment of about Rs 10,000 crore on Chennai Metro rail project; Mumbai is already implementing the Rs 2,232-crore Versova-Ghatkopar corridor. Bangalore is all set to have one. Hyderabad is also contemplating a mass-rapid transport system. 

Synopsis: The urban development ministry has sought a massive Rs 2,89,615 crores in the 11th five-year plan to develop infrastructural facilities in urban areas. A total fund of Rs 2,89,615 crores was sought for implementation of the 11th five-year plan schemes. 

Synopsis: The Centre is considering a proposal to enhance the viability gap funding available for metro rail projects to 30 per cent from the existing 20 per cent.

Synopsis: To ensure planed and regulated growth of the holy city of Amritsar, the Punjab government has decided to prepare Rs 250-crore comprehensive master plan for its cohesive development with world-class infrastructure in terms of road connectivity, drinking water, sewerage facility and uninterrupted power supply.

Synopsis: Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd (NCCL) has bagged new orders totalling Rs 272 crore. Out of this, the major orders comprise a project for construction of shell and core in the SEZ Infocity in Hyderabad for Satyam Computer, worth Rs 96 crore.

Synopsis: Sobha Developers Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kerala government on Monday to set up Sobha Hi-tech City in Kochi. The project, to come up on 400 acres at Maradu, is expected to create an integrated city with a focus on research and development, knowledge dissemination, IT, and pure and applied sciences.

Synopsis: Sobha Developers Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kerala government on Monday to set up Sobha Hi-tech City in Kochi. The project, to come up on 400 acres at Maradu, is expected to create an integrated city with a focus on research and development, knowledge dissemination, IT, and pure and applied sciences.

Synopsis: Global hotel chains like the Hilton, Accor, Marriott International, Berggruen Hotels, Cabana Hotels, Premier Travel Inn (PTI) and Intercontinental Hotels group have announced plans to set up over 350 five-star, four-star and budget hotels and 50 villas translating into 65,000 additional hotel rooms.