The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a Rs 1,527 crore funding package for Phase-II of the Nagpur Metro project, aimed at expanding the city’s metro network to enhance urban mobility and connectivity. This financial support will significantly boost Nagpur’s public transportation infrastructure, building on the progress made by the first phase of the metro network. Phase-II will cover an additional 14.5 kilometers, connecting more critical locations and improving overall city connectivity. The project is a collaboration between the Indian government, Maharashtra state government, and ADB.

The ADB’s investment is part of its commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure development across India, focusing on improving public transport systems. Phase-II of the Nagpur Metro will help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and make the city’s infrastructure more resilient. The funding will primarily cover the construction of new metro lines, stations, and related infrastructure, contributing to a larger urban mobility initiative that aims to provide efficient, eco-friendly public transportation options for India’s rapidly growing cities.

Nagpur Metro has already seen success with its first phase, and Phase-II will further expand the benefits of modern metro systems. Once completed, Phase-II is expected to offer a seamless transit experience, encouraging residents to switch to public transport, reducing dependence on private vehicles, and contributing to the city’s sustainable growth. The ADB’s funding ensures the project will proceed without delays, meeting the growing transportation demands of Nagpur.

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) is rewriting the narrative by fostering gender inclusivity through its groundbreaking initiative, CREW (Collective of Real Estate Women). While women influence nearly 70 per cent of property purchase decisions, their representation in the real estate workforce lags at a mere 10–12 per cent. Recognising this imbalance, CREW aims to bridge the gap, empowering women professionals and inspiring long-term careers in a male-dominated sector.

Launched initially in Mumbai and Pune, CREW has evolved into a national movement, with its latest expansion set for Delhi. Through networking opportunities, mentorship programmes, and skill-building workshops, the initiative addresses the isolation women often experience in this sector. “Women frequently find themselves as the lone female presence on their teams, which can discourage retention,” explains Megha Goel, Chief Human Resources Officer, Godrej Properties. CREW connects women professionals across roles, enabling them to thrive in real estate, construction, and allied fields.

From a sustainability angle, the initiative supports economic diversity and gender equality, key components of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inclusive workspaces foster innovation, enabling companies like Godrej Properties to address housing challenges more holistically. By empowering women, CREW enhances the industry’s ability to deliver sustainable and community-focused solutions. On an urban scale, initiatives like CREW hold the potential to catalyse wider societal shifts. Encouraging women to participate in real

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched the ‘Banglar Bari’ housing scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance for building houses to 28 lakh identified beneficiaries across the state. With the scheme fully funded by the state government, each beneficiary will receive Rs 1.2 lakh by next December.

During the launch event, the first installment of Rs 60,000 was transferred to the bank accounts of 12 lakh beneficiaries. Banerjee emphasized that her government is committed to the welfare of rural Bengal and dedicated to providing housing for the underprivileged. Addressing the issue of the Centre’s non-payment under the Awas Yojana, Banerjee accused the federal government of not sending funds for the scheme for the past three years, depriving the poor families of their rightful dues. She revealed that while the Centre had surveyed 36 lakh families, a state-level survey identified 28 lakh genuine beneficiaries, whose claims were verified through a draft list and public objections.

Mamata Banerjee stated, “The Centre has not kept its promises, and for the last three years, not a single paisa has been paid for the Awas Yojana. The central government has deprived the poor people of the state. We are not beggars, we are asking for our rights.”

The entire scheme will cost the state government a total of Rs 14,773 crore, with Rs 24,000 crore still pending from the Centre. Banerjee assured that if the Centre fails to provide the necessary funds, her government will fund the housing assistance for the remaining 16 lakh families in two phases: 8 lakh families by May-June and the rest by December. This initiative, launched under the Banglar Bari project, highlights the state government’s continued efforts to improve the living conditions of rural families, ensuring they have access to adequate housing, despite the challenges posed by federal fund delays.