Development Watch – Week #2 Oct’26

Development News

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Manipur CM seeks highway projects

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged Union minister Nitin Gadkari to expedite key road projects, including construction of the Shangshak-Tengnoupal Highway and sanction of an elevated highway in Imphal. He also sought completion of ongoing works on National Highways 37 and 2 this working season to improve connectivity.

Cochin Shipyard order to build 40 ships from US, Germany

State-owned Cochin Shipyard Limited has secured more than 40 shipbuilding contracts from leading countries like the US, Germany, and Norway. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the importance of cultivating a strong ecosystem for shipbuilding in India. Notably, Russian businesses showed interest in collaborating with local shipyards. Belgium demonstrated a desire to collaborate with India on shipbuilding ventures.

Indian Railways announces 3,548 job vacancies

Indian Railways has announced 3,548 graduate-level vacancies under RRB NTPC Recruitment 2026, with applications open until November 6. The vacancies include Goods Train Manager, Senior Clerk Cum Typist, Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist and Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor. Check the post-wise vacancies, salary, eligibility criteria, selection process and important application dates.

Tenkasi in rural Tamil Nadu is the Zoho hub

Sridhar Vembu built Zoho from a small software firm into a global cloud software company. He did it while living far from the usual business centres, and today he stays in Tenkasi, a rural part of Tamil Nadu. In 2019, Vembu shifted to Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu. The move showed his belief in mixing technology with development at the grassroots.

Dharavi rehabilitation work on 22-acres Matunga land

Adani Navbharat Developers Pvt Ltd has initiated construction of rehabilitation homes at the 22-acre Matunga railway site. This project will include 10,432 apartments along with commercial and industrial units for eligible Dharavi residents. The first five towers are projected for handover by March 2029, followed by additional towers in 2029 and 2030. A portion of commercial space will be reserved for revenue generation to maintain infrastructure.

GEC-III scheme for Renewable Energy sector

The Union Cabinet approved the GEC-III scheme, earmarking Rs 1.86 lakh crore for developing transmission systems and battery storage. This initiative will facilitate the evacuation of 135 GW of renewable energy by FY2032-33. It will address industry concerns regarding transmission capacity. Experts believe that it will also lead to significant growth in the renewable sector and stabilize the electricity grid.

Air fares get costlier from October 9 onwards

Air India and Air India Express on Thursday announced revised fuel surcharges of up to Rs 1,200 on domestic flights and up to $215 on international routes. Akasa Air is also adjusting passenger charges amid a sustained rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. The revised surcharges will apply to new bookings made from October 9, 2026. For Air India Express. The changes will take effect at 12 am IST, while Air India will implement them from 11 am IST on the same day. The decisions by the three carriers come as geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy markets continue to push up aviation fuel costs, increasing operating expenses for airlines. Air India and AI Express have also announced distance-based surcharges for domestic flights, with charges ranging from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,200 for one-way journeys.