Development Watch – Week #4 Dec’25

Development News

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Stops at tolls on highways not required

Highway users will not have to stop or slow down to pay toll at national highway plazas by the end of 2026, as the government plans to roll out the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system. He also said the FASTag annual pass, launched in August, has eased travel for private vehicle owners. MLFF system will remove the need for physical toll booths. Under the new setup, cameras installed above the road will read vehicle number plates and automatically deduct the user fee from the FASTag account. More than 40 lakh private car owners have subscribed to the FASTag annual pass. The pass allows private vehicles to cross up to 200 toll plazas and has reduced waiting time for frequent highway users.

Navi Mumbai airport to begin operations on December 25

The greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is all set to start commercial operations from 25th December. It will reduce travel time, boost tourism and attract large-scale investments in the region. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which is the implementing agency for the ambitious aviation project, in a release on Tuesday said the airport will have 30 Air Traffic Movements (arrivals and departures) on the first day of operations. The launch is expected to significantly alleviate congestion at the existing Mumbai international airport while establishing a robust multi-airport system for the region. The airport features an iconic lotus-inspired terminal design, delivered by the Adani Group and Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL).

Noida airport to be inaugurated in January 2026

the Noida International Airport at Jewar will be inaugurated in January 2026, adding that it will be the state’s fifth international airport. Before 2017, there were very few airports in UP. Two of them were operational while the other two were partially functional. Today, 16 airports are functional. Out of these, four are international airports and the fifth international airport, which will be India’s largest, will be made operational in Jewar next month. The Noida International Airport is a greenfield project being developed in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar district under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The first phase of the project, spread over around 1,300 hectares.

Indian Railways completes 99.2% broad gauge electrification

Indian Railways has achieved electrification of 99.2 per cent of its broad-gauge network, putting it ahead of countries like the UK (39%), Russia (52%), and China (82%), bringing the country closer than ever to a fully electrified railway system. Fourteen railway zones, including Central, Eastern, and Northern Railways, have achieved 100% electrification, while 25 states and union territories have also completed electrification. This achievement is expected to significantly reduce India’s carbon footprint, as rail transport emits 89% less CO2 than road transport. Indian Railways is also exploring renewable energy sources, with 898 MW of solar power commissioned at 2,626 stations.

NBCC foray into Dubai real estate

NBCC (India) Limited has acquired a prime land parcel in Dubai Mainland for AED 16 million (Rs 38 crore) to develop a mixed-used project as part of its international expansion. The land is purchased through NBCC Overseas Real Estate LLC (wholly owned subsidiary) and the transaction includes AED 1 million paid to DLD, broker, and other charges, for a mixed-use development. The project has area of 51718 Sqft and configuration of G+2P+8 floors with an expected revenue from the project around AED 58-60 million (Rs 150 crore). This development has been done through the approvals by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as part of a drive to push for global expansion, making NBCC the first Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) to launch itself as a real estate developer in Dubai.

Gujarat crosses 5 lakh rooftop solar installations

Gujarat has achieved a historic milestone in renewable energy by installing over 5 lakh rooftop solar systems. It will deliver an aggregate installed capacity of 1,879 megawatts. This landmark achievement under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojna, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores Gujarat’s leadership in rooftop solar adoption and will be the central highlight at the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Rajkot. Gujarat has cumulatively achieved the installation of over 11 lakh solar rooftops under various schemes. Residential consumers have availed subsidies worth Rs 3,778 crore under the scheme, making rooftop solar both accessible and affordable.