Land Pooling via Town Planning Schemes: Gujarat Covers 1,000 Sq Km, Rajasthan Launches First Scheme

U.P. Launches 'Jal Sarthi' App to Track Rural Water Supply Projects, Over 1.2 Lakh Downloads

Uttar Pradesh launched the 'Jal Sarthi' mobile app in May 2026 to enable real-time monitoring of rural water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. With over 1.2 lakh downloads within days, the app provides village-level data on drinking water schemes, household tap connections, and infrastructure status, promoting transparency and citizen engagement. This is a key example of state-level digital governance initiatives.

DDA Approves Master Plan Delhi 2047: Land Pooling, GDA Policy, 3,500 Hectares Unauthorised

DDA has approved the Master Plan for Delhi-2047, ending a five-year delay and setting Delhi's 20-year framework for housing, transport and green spaces. The plan focuses on land pooling, GDA policy, TOD and regularisation of unauthorised colonies amid a severe affordable housing crunch. For exams, remember the approval body, the 1957 Act, and the housing data: affordable supply fell from 62% to 11%, luxury share hit 70%.

DDA Mandates Land Pooling via TPS Under Delhi Master Plan-2047; 105 Villages, 12 Lakh Homes Targeted

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is introducing mandatory Town Planning Schemes (TPS) under the Master Plan for Delhi-2047 to enforce land pooling in areas where voluntary consortium formation has failed. This move targets 105 villages across six zones, potentially unlocking land for 12 lakh homes, and shifts DDA's role from developer to facilitator.

Rajasthan Launches SETU: India's First Digital Emergency Referral System for Rural Healthcare

Rajasthan has become the first state in India to implement a digital medical emergency referral system called SETU, which connects rural PHCs/CHCs to tertiary hospitals via a smartphone-based app. This eliminates 'blind arrivals' by transmitting patient history, GPS tracking, and ETA to the receiving hospital, enabling specialist teams to be ready from 'minute zero'.

Odisha Draft Pedestrian Safety Rules 2026 Mandate Footpaths, Section 198A Action

Odisha has proposed draft Pedestrian Safety Rules, 2026, making pedestrian paths mandatory for new and upgraded roads. The rules hold road-owning agencies, contractors, and consultants accountable under Section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act for faulty designs causing pedestrian death or injury. This marks a significant step toward pedestrian rights and safer urban infrastructure, relevant for governance and road safety exams.

Railway Board Approves MRTS-Chennai Metro Merger: 2-Year Transition, 21 Stations Handed Over

After a 15-year wait since the proposal in 2011, the Railway Board has approved the merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). This marks a major urban infrastructure reform in Chennai, involving a two-year transition, handover of 21 stations, and creation of a special committee for oversight.

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.

Delhi Cabinet Approves Private Universities Bill, MPD-2047 Allows FAR 180 & Residential Schools

Delhi government has approved a draft Private Universities Bill and notified MPD-2047, allowing residential schools, removing height restrictions on educational buildings, and increasing FAR to 180. These changes aim to optimize land use and expand education infrastructure in land-constrained Delhi. Students should note key data points like FAR limits, floor calculations, and Narela education hub expansion for prelims.