Archives March 2024

Celebrate Holi with radiant skin! Laneige brings you a perfect skincare solution to safeguard against vibrant Holi colours and the sun’s rays. Our specially formulated products create a protective barrier, ensuring your skin stays hydrated and shielded from potential damage. Enjoy the festival of colours with confidence, as Laneige cares for your skin while you revel in the joy of Holi.

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam

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Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil features an emulsifying refreshing formula for a hassle-free cleansing experience, it melts down excess sebum, debris, pore-clogging substance, and heavy makeup without stripping off moisture and it is infused with the goodness of blue hyaluronic acid and central asiatica that keeps the moisture intact even after cleansing.

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream for Normal to Dry Skin:

This cream provides deep nourishment and repairs the skin from within, it features nano molecules of blue hyaluronic acid that penetrated the 10th layer of the epidermis layer and relives the redness by 92%, not only that it also revives collapsed skin barrier with Squalene & Ceramide and boosts skin moisture retention for a translucent glow, the texture melts upon skin temperature and seeps effortlessly.

Laneige Radian-C Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

Laneige Radian-C Sun Cream Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ is a brightening sunscreen that contains vitamin C derivatives to powerfully protect against UV rays and Metasolv™Refreshing and moist sunscreen with a lightweight Airy Formula to be reapplied multiple times. This sunscreen is formulated in such a way that gives the advantages of both Organic and Inorganic Sunscreens.

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Gel

A Mild cleansing gel formulated with 6 kinds of moisturizing amino acid that holds moisture even after cleansing and prevents rough skin texture, The soft gel formula turns into a soft and rich foam then reduces skin irritation and balances the skin pH to keep the skin barrier healthy.

Availability: All the products are available on Tira, Nykaa, Myntra, Amazon, and other leading E-commerce websites

New Delhi, March 13, 2024: ABP Network, India’s leading media conglomerate, proudly announces its collaboration with Star Sports as the official non-exclusive broadcaster for the much-anticipated Legends Cricket Trophy 2024. This partnership marks a significant milestone in delivering top-notch cricketing entertainment to millions of viewers across the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

ABP Network has secured the non-exclusive rights from Off Spin Ventures, a leading Sports Management Company, to stream the tournament on its social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. This strategic move ensures that cricket enthusiasts can enjoy the thrilling Legends Cricket Trophy 2024 on digital platforms, making it easily accessible to a wide audience. Simultaneously, Star Sports has secured the rights to broadcast the tournament on television and OTT, providing a comprehensive viewing experience for fans across various mediums.

The Legends Cricket Trophy, also known as LCT, is a prestigious cricketing event taking place in the picturesque setting of Sri Lanka. This year’s edition boasts an impressive line – up of cricketing icons including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Aaron Finch, Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle, and Tillakaratne Dilshan, among others.

The Legends Cricket Trophy 2024, a thrilling tournament that commenced on March 8th and will conclude on March 19th, has been nothing short of a spectacle. Featuring legendary players from around the globe, the tournament has captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide with its display of unparalleled talent and sportsmanship.

Under the banner of ABP Network, cricket enthusiasts across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other key markets globally will have the opportunity to witness the Clash of Legends unfold. The tournament, consisting of seven teams namely Dubai Giants, Delhi Devils, Rajasthan Kings, Colombo Lions, Kandy Samp Army, and NY Strikers, promises to captivate audiences.

With a total of 22 matches scheduled to take place in Kandy, Sri Lanka, cricket fans are in for an electrifying display of cricketing prowess throughout the tournament.

The fast-paced 90-ball format of the tournament has added an extra layer of excitement, promising edge-of-the-seat action in every match. From nail-biting finishes to awe-inspiring performances, the Legends Cricket Trophy 2024 is set to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape.

With hashtags #clashoflegends and #lct90balls buzzing across social media platforms, the excitement for the tournament is at an all-time high. ABP Network is dedicated to ensuring that cricket fans remain thoroughly engaged as the Legends Cricket Trophy 2024 progresses.

Bangalore, March 13, 2024: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, today celebrated Customer Day across all its office locations in the country. All Airtel employees who are in non-customer facing roles stepped out of their everyday role to join their frontline counterparts and directly interact with the customers.

Employees across all Airtel office locations in the country worked with home delivery engineers, fiber executives and retail workforces in the markets. These employees include everyone from the topmost senior leadership team to the junior managers in all offices.

The Customer Day is a part of Airtel’s multiple initiatives that are centered on its core DNA of customer obsession. Through the direct customer, connect for all its employees, Airtel aims to drive deeper engagement to understand customer viewpoints and customer pulse especially their concerns and suggestions. The company is certain that “Customer Day” will bestow “new eyes” for a large number of employees from diverse functions and unlock a whole new mindset and culture of customer obsession across the organization.

BENGALURU, India, March 13, 2024 – Cisco, a global leader in technology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka Innovation Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka, to train 40,000 individuals in cybersecurity skills and cyber awareness. Women will represent half of the trained workforce to help meet the growing need for cyber talent as organizations look to bolster defences against an evolving and complex threat landscape.

According to Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index, 90% of organizations in India expect a cybersecurity incident to disrupt their businesses in the next 12 to 24 months. Moreover, as stated by an Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) report, with 40% of cybersecurity teams in Indian organizations understaffed, the urgency for skill preparedness is clear. This collaboration underscores a collective commitment to equip students with job-ready cybersecurity skills required to meet the ever-growing security demands of tomorrow.

Moreover, the collaboration will include a ‘Train the Trainers’ program to empower college faculties with the knowledge and skills required to create a robust cyber ecosystem. This program will also focus on promoting cyber awareness among citizens to bolster their defences and empower them to be safer and more secure online.

“As the digital-first world evolves, placing cybersecurity at the forefront, the imperative to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to cyber threats has become increasingly crucial. Our collaboration with the Karnataka Innovation Technology Society and the Government of Karnataka Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity underscores our commitment to empowering disadvantaged sections of society, including students, teachers, and senior citizens, with critical cybersecurity skills and awareness to protect against threats and be safer online. As we navigate the new world, we remain steadfast in our mission to enable individuals to defend digital domains and create a secure and sustainable future for all.’’ said Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India & SAARC.

Additionally, Cisco will collaborate with the Government of Karnataka Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity, to promote cybersecurity awareness and skill-building among students and professionals. Cisco will contribute to curriculum development by providing cybersecurity courses through Cisco Networking Academy – one of the world’s longest-running IT skills-to-jobs programs – and conduct webinar sessions and knowledge workshops for students, covering a diverse range of courses, from foundational to advanced levels.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Ekroop Caur, IAS, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka said, “The need for a cyber-resilient workforce is integral. We look forward to working with Cisco, to empower young professionals across the state with essential skills and job-ready capabilities to safeguard themselves and organisations from risks in an increasingly digital-driven world. Through this engagement, we will be imparting cybersecurity skilling for 40,000 individuals, aiming for 50% of the beneficiaries to be women.’’

These strategic partnerships represent a significant step forward in Cisco’s mission to help bridge the gaps in digital skills and prepare India’s workforce for the jobs of the future.

Bengaluru 13th March 2024: SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13, India’s most prestigious spelling competition, an initiative by Mirchi, concluded with a thrilling Grand Finale in Mumbai. SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13 has crowned its Champion with Rayaan Naveed Siddiqui, Age- 13 years, Std VIII, from Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, Mumbai, bagging the ‘Spell Master of India’, National Title. The first runner-up, Adhita Nag, Age- 13 years, Std VIII, from Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, Mumbai, too demonstrated commendable skill at the Grand Finale. The ability of these young minds to navigate through complex words with precision and confidence set them apart as deserving winners. In an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and excitement, the event witnessed the announcement and felicitation of the National Champion, whose remarkable performance throughout the competition demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and a profound love for language.

The event was graced by Indian Actress, Fashion Designer & Television Presenter, Ms. Mandira Bedi, who enthusiastically hosted the Grand Finale of SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13 and revealed the winners. The National Champion of SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13 was awarded the prestigious grand prize of INR 1,00,000/- along with an all-expenses-paid expedition to Disneyland, Hong Kong, accompanied by their parents.

This year’s competition theme, “An initiative that spells progress”, signifies SBI Life’s commitment to foster growth opportunities for India’s young population. As a company dedicated to helping individuals achieve their dreams, SBI Life recognizes that true progress goes beyond academic success, extending to holistic development. The theme aligns with the brand’s core values, emphasizing the importance of providing a platform to young minds to explore possibilities, carve their growth story, and thereby contribute to the nation’s progress. SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13 has once again highlighted the importance of knowledge, language proficiency, and the invaluable role of educational initiatives in nurturing young minds.

Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communications, and CSR at SBI Life Insurance, commented on the success of the partnership, saying, “As another chapter of Spell Bee culminates, SBI Life congratulates each and every participant including the winners. At SBI Life, our unwavering commitment to nurturing the potential of every individual is deeply ingrained in our values. We believe in the transformative power of early opportunities, as they lay the foundation for a lifetime of meaningful impact. Each child is a reservoir of unique capabilities, and by providing the right tools and platforms, we aspire to cultivate an environment that fosters continuous learning and development.”

“Our partnership with Spell Bee – ‘Spell Master of India’ reflects this commitment. It signifies our dedication to empowering the young minds, providing them with the opportunity to shine on a national stage. Children are the architects of our nation’s future, and we take immense pride in supporting their educational journey. Our hope is to contribute our efforts in creating a legacy of continuous support, shaping the aspirations and ambitions of the youth in the years to come. We have embarked on this journey with enthusiasm, aiming to remain focused on doing our bit in shaping the future citizens who will undoubtedly contribute to the progress and prosperity of our great nation”, he added.

Speaking on his achievement, Master Rayaan Siddiqui, Winner of SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13, said, “SBI Life Spell Bee Season 13 journey to victory itself was quite fuzzy but I can clearly remember the joy I felt upon winning the grand finale! When I won the Regional Final, it sparked the desire to win the National Finale and prove my mettle to the nation. I practiced, poring over the study guide, and searching for difficult words. I looked through the dictionary and read several books about grammar and spelling. My school Spell Bee competitions over the years have groomed me well to handle the stage pressure. SBI Life Spell Bee was a very methodically planned, challenging contest. The experience was amazing with an audience that was sporting. Winning the ‘Spell Master of India’ title was like a dream come true! Overall, the experience was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Expressing her views on the initiative, Ms. Pooja Gulati, Executive Vice President & National IP Director, Entertainment Network India Ltd, stated, “Mirchi has always been proud of creating consumer-centric properties that add value and empower consumers and their families. Strategically, Mirchi has built its experiential impact properties portfolio, and Spell Bee is a flagship property within the same. Mirchi and SBI Life share a joint vision to aid school children in India in achieving their goals. The medium of spelling serves as a stepping stone for this vision. It is India’s largest spelling competition for schools and promotes the education of the English language at the highest level. In its 13th season, the property has grown significantly this year with a brand-new format. Spell Bee receives unparalleled love from children, parents, and teachers, which makes the property special. This year, the competition has expanded and received participation from schools in over 30 cities, in addition to robust online participation. As in previous years, the competition will be televised to encourage students to showcase their skills on a national platform and prepare for the upcoming season.”

This season drew participation from over 150,000 students across 350+ schools in 30 cities, making it a multifaceted competition spread over five challenging phases. The competition commenced with intra-school contests, followed by inter-school competitions. Advancing through city-level and regional finales, the top 75 participants reached the highly anticipated National Finale, set to simulcast on Disney, Hungama, and Super Hungama.

Across the globe, the construction industry is hitting a critical point. As seasoned workers in countries with post-World War II baby booms start retiring, there’s a noticeable gap left in their wake. The issue? Younger generations aren’t stepping in at the same rate.

This isn’t just a local problem; from the U.S. to Europe, and stretching to the Middle East and Asia, the demand for construction workers is outpacing supply. The Association of Builders and Contractors in the U.S. flagged the need for over half a million additional workers in 2023 alone, while Europe’s shortfall is hitting the millions.

This isn’t your typical construction scene anymore. Workers today are not just battling the elements outdoors; they’re at the forefront of a technological revolution in the industry. Think AI- driven insights, robotics in bricklaying and augmented reality for on-site planning. These advancements aren’t just changing how we build – they’re reshaping the skills needed on the ground.

Workers in construction are often exposed to the weather, said IEEE Member Gabriel Gomes de Oliveira. The work is hard, and the environment is often very different from that in industrial ettings, where workers may sit in air-conditioned areas.

“With the application of technology, we’ll improve the service in terms of time, quality and cost,” Oliveira said.

The construction industry is looking to technology to fill the gap, and that will require workers with a whole new set of skills.

“Key for future work in this area will be understanding data gathering and analysis technologies and the best way to use these tools,” said 2024 IEEE President Tom Coughlin. “This includes knowledge on how to work with AI.”

HOW TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS
To understand how jobs in infrastructure are evolving, consider how technology may be used in the future. An article in the IEEE Journal of Industrial Informatics captures the scope of new developments.

Researchers have used artificial intelligence models to mine past knowledge on how different concrete recipes affect the quality of concrete and thus, the quality of buildings. The system shows that models could be used to train less experienced builders in the absence of highly skilled workers.

Robots might be used for a number of tasks, from physically laying bricks and concrete blocks, to carrying heavy loads.

Companies have already begun to use modular construction techniques, where portions of a project are constructed off site, allowing the construction industry to take advantage of advanced manufacturing techniques.

Augmented and virtual reality systems may be used to present digital plans superimposed on the real world, giving electricians, for example, wiring instructions they can visualize. And finally, drones and autonomous vehicles are already being used to inspect infrastructure and construction sites.

SKILLS FOR A NEW ERA
IEEE Fellow William Webb foresees growth in jobs dealing with drones for inspection of infrastructure and the management of sensor networks to collect data. Analysts will be in demand to make sense of a deluge of data. And infrastructure operators will need cybersecurity specialists to keep the system secure.

“The workforce will need the skills to be able to assess and make recommendations on infrastructure maintenance and updates based on data collected and analyzed by new technology systems,” Webb said. “Skills will also be needed to control and maintain the systems (drones, IoT and AI programs) used to monitor, collect and analyze data.”

Oliveira, however, envisions a future in which people adopt digital skills through short, intensive training courses.

“Young people these days are born to use smartphones,” Oliviera said. “They already know how to use technology. The trend will be short-term, professional courses so a person knows specific areas such as 3D printing, sensors and systems or building information modeling (BIM) software.”

Nayan Raheja of Raheja Developers
The inauguration of NCR’s most-awaited connectivity development, Dwarka Expressway, has been a prominent move for us as it has elevated the real estate market of the sectors along the stretch. The development has not only eased commute with the national capital but has also increased investment across projects from both residential and commercial segments. With tremendous price appreciation of properties ever since the construction of the stretch began, the Expressway has brought a boost to the region’s economy as well as its allure, with numerous amenities being developed along the route.

Amit Gupta, Director – Orris Group, stated, “Dwarka Expressway’s opening is a welcome move for Gurugram’s real estate, as the development has made a huge impact on the region’s growth among investors. The convenient access that it has brought to the prospective buyers of the region has increased the flow of both developers and buyers to Gurugram, with numerous sectors along the stretch benefitting from it. The stretch has also elevated connectivity to significant corridors, including the proposed Delhi-Jaipur Super Expressway, IGI Airport, and more, making it a location worth investing in.”

Rohit Mohan, Senior Vice President of BPTP Group said, “The Dwarka Expressway is poised to revolutionize the real estate industry by significantly reducing travel time between Delhi and Gurugram. As a result, property prices are on the rise, fueled by increasing demand for both residential and commercial properties. This presents a lucrative opportunity for investment, with Sector 37D emerging as a particularly promising location. Its strategic positioning along the bustling Dwarka Expressway makes it highly attractive to prospective buyers and investors alike. With improved connectivity and accessibility, coupled with the anticipation of future development projects, Sector 37D is witnessing a surge in interest. As the demand for properties in this area continues to soar, it offers the potential for substantial returns on investment. For individuals seeking to capitalize on the burgeoning real estate market in Gurugram, investing in Sector 37D presents a compelling opportunity for long-term growth and profitability.”

Mr. Sachin Gawri, Founder and CEO, RISE Infraventures
The opening of the Dwarka Expressway by our Hon’ble Prime Minister is one of the most-awaited developments for Gurugram’s real estate, as the expansion has significantly boosted the area’s appeal among investors. Gurugram has witnessed a surge in the number of developers and investors due to the easy access it has provided to potential buyers in the area, inviting investors to different sectors of Gurugram along the way. The section is worth investing in since it offers improved access to significant locations, including IGI Airport while promising a remarkable return on investment.

Bengaluru, 13th March 2024: Today Amadeus announces the acquisition of Voxel, a leading provider of electronic invoice and B2B payment solutions for travel sellers, hotels, and other travel players. This will support Amadeus’ vision to deliver a smooth travel payment experience. It will also complement Amadeus’ payments business, Outpayce, by enhancing its existing travel sellers’ product suite, while expanding in the hospitality segment.

The addition of Voxel solutions to Amadeus’ existing offering means access to a wider range of payments services for travel sellers and a more automated electronic way to manage invoices for tour operators, TMCs, hotel aggregators, and hotels. The acquisition of Voxel will also help Amadeus better serve its corporate customers by further automating the business travel experience, from reservation and payments to expense management. Thanks to this integrated technology, Amadeus will continue to better connect the travel industry and reduce manual processes for a smooth experience.

Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, comments: “The acquisition of Voxel brings a complementary portfolio of solutions to enrich Amadeus’ end-to-end offering, leveraging smart technology in order to benefit the wider travel eco-system and industry. Payments are present at every stage of the travel experience. To make the experience of travel better, it’s crucial we ensure smooth, integrated and even invisible payments. We now have a combined team of experts who are passionate about payments, and a breadth of customers who will now be able to leverage the power of Voxel and Amadeus together. This is yet another example of how Amadeus makes travel work better for everyone, everywhere.”

Àngel Garrido, CEO, Voxel, adds: “Amadeus is truly at the heart of the travel industry, and we couldn’t be more excited to now be part of the team. Amadeus is global in nature, with travel and technology experts working towards a better door-to-door and connected journey. These attributes, combined with Amadeus’ deep roots in travel, have resulted in a unique opportunity for Voxel and Amadeus to grow faster, and further embed innovative and automated technology; improving not only the processes for travel sellers but also travel providers. The combination of our technology, teams, strong cultural fit, and our connections will no doubt bring us one step closer to smoother travel payments.”

David Doctor, CEO, Outpayce, says: “Since the inception of Outpayce, Amadeus’ payments business, the focus has been to strengthen the current end-to-end offering as well as develop an integrated payment ecosystem to which travel companies can connect and access the latest fintech innovations. The acquisition of Voxel allows us to do both. I’m very proud to mark another milestone in our journey to deliver frictionless travel payments. I look forward to working closely with the Voxel team.”

Voxel is an e-invoicing and B2B electronic payments specialist. Voxel’s Bavel Platform orchestrates an end-to-end electronic payment process. 50,000+ hotels, 1,000+ tour operators and travel companies, and 3,000+ restaurants and franchises, across 100 countries, currently benefit from the platform. The platform is made up of Bavel Pay, Bavel Billing, and Bavel Procurement, and handles more than 100 million transactions per year.

Voxel, a privately-owned company, was founded in 1998, and is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The acquisition, which is now closed, sees over 200 Voxel employees join Amadeus.

National, 13th March 2024 – Protectt.ai, a fast growing Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) firm delivering Mobile App Security platform on RASP (Runtime mobile App Self Protection), has established a Technology Leadership Advisory Board (TLAB) with the objective to provide strategic guidance to the company’s management, to shore up innovation in mobile security and enable more significant contribution to the rapidly growing Mobile App ecosystem. The Board assists in developing strategies to build world class products and scale business globally.

Ms Sunita Handa, Principal Strategy Advisor – Protectt.ai has been appointed Chairman of the Technology Leadership Advisory Board. The Technology Leadership Advisory Board includes industry leaders with diverse perspectives and extensive experience. Dr. V. N Sastry, Professor and Head Mobile and social media Banking Lab, IDRBT, Hyderabad; Mr. Guhan Muthuswamy, Co-founder at Mindgate Solutions Private Limited and Mr. Navaneethan M, Senior Cyber Security Leader have been onboarded as members of the TLAB.

Manish Mimani, Founder & CEO, Protectt.ai said, “We are ecstatic about the Technology Leadership Advisory Board at Protectt.ai with our esteemed board members who carry vast leadership and technology experience. Under the guidance of TLAB we aim to scale up our product innovation, market ready Mobile App security suite of products and expand global footprints.”

Protectt.ai’s Leadership Advisory Board will strive to significantly advance the Indian market’s Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) space, revolutionizing security through Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. V. N Sastry, Prof. and Head Mobile and Social Media Marketing Lab, IDRBT, Hyderabad said, “The RBI has issued Digital Payment Security Control guidelines for Banking Mobile App Security with the aim to boost India’s digital payments through enhanced security. Protectt.ai solution aims to provide a strong, secure, and trustworthy Mobile App Ecosystem while catering to global compliance.”

Navaneethan M, Senior Cyber Security Leader said, “At the 1930 helpline run by the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, there were 700,000 complaints of online fraud in April 2023 alone. This makes it critical to focus on building advanced defense mechanisms and is essential to instill user trust and maintain the integrity of mobile app ecosystems.”

The digital rails on which India is leaping ahead has at its core, the penetration of Mobile phones. As people become used to the convenience of mobile app usage, the digital advantage cannot be allowed to become a liability due to security incidences. App providing corporates may work in collaboration with cyber security experts to embed mobile apps with a security architecture having robust capabilities. Protectt.ai is contributing to combat against the risks posed by ever evolving cyberthreats.

Under the able guidance of Technology Leadership Advisory Board members, Protectt.ai is all set to take a big leap to expand its global footprint and offer its industry First Mobile Threat Defense solutions to App providers, said Sunita Handa, Chairman of the Technology Leadership Advisory Board.

The city that never sleeps is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar inaugurated the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) and opened 9.5 kilometres of its entire stretch of 10.58 kilometre for vehicular movement, at Worli today in Mumbai. The project, a state-of-the-art expressway stretching along Mumbai’s western coastline, is poised to be a major game changer, especially for residential projects in western suburbs.

The Coastal Road which will be an another infrastructural marvel, envisioned to ease traffic congestion and enhance connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the city, is also expected to have far-reaching impacts on the real estate landscape of the western suburbs, an area known for its high-end residential properties and bustling commercial hubs.

Speaking on its potential impact on the real estate market, Mr. Prashant Sharma – President, NAREDCO Maharashtra said, “The inauguration of the Mumbai Coastal Road is a momentous occasion that marks a significant leap forward in enhancing the infrastructure and connectivity within Mumbai. This project is not just an engineering marvel but also a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainable and comprehensive urban development. This development is expected to bolster the real estate sector in the neighboring areas, making them more attractive to both investors and homebuyers. Improved accessibility can enhance property values, stimulate economic activities, and provide a fillip to the housing, hospitality and retail sectors along the route.”

The Coastal Road project is expected to significantly impact the residential real estate market in the western suburbs. Developers predict a rise in property prices, spurred by the improved infrastructure. Moreover, the enhanced quality of life, coupled with the scenic coastal views, is likely to attract a more affluent demographic, leading to a shift in the area’s socio-economic fabric. Leading real estate developers in the region have voiced their optimism regarding the project’s impact.

Mr. Vedanshu Kedia, Director, Prescon Group, a prominent real estate developer in Mumbai, commented, “The Coastal Road is not just an infrastructure project; it’s a catalyst for urban transformation. We anticipate a surge in demand for residential properties in Central-South Mumbai especially in Mahim-Matunga due to its close proximity to the Sealink and reclamation – a core connector to the coastal road plan.”

Already a preferred location for luxury residential projects, the Western suburbs of Mumbai is expected to see a rise in property values. The improved connectivity offered by the Coastal Road along with the metro connectivity will make the western suburbs an even more attractive destination for prospective homebuyers and investors.

Mr. Umesh Jandial, Chief Business Officer of Omkar Realtors & Developers, commented, “The Coastal Road is more than just an infrastructural development; it’s a vision that will redefine living in the western suburbs. The projects here offer ease of commute to business districts like BKC & Andheri and therefore this location is witnessing premium quotient and strong demand. For instance, we foresee a surge in demand and price appreciation for residential properties in the Malad-Goregaon region, especially luxury segments, given the improved accessibility and scenic locales.”

Similarly, Mr. Rohan Khatau, Director of CCI Projects, believes that the project will unlock new opportunities. “The western suburbs have always been attractive for homebuyers. With the Coastal Road, there’s an added advantage of reduced commute times and enhanced connectivity to key business districts, making it an even more desirable location for residential investments. Areas like Borivali and Kandivali are particularly attractive, offering a lifestyle upgrade and seamless connectivity, drawing residents from south and central Mumbai,” he stated.

As per a recent Knight Frank India analysis, of the total properties registered in February 2024, Central and Western suburbs together constituted over 73% as these locations are a hotbed for new launches offering a wide range of modern amenities and good connectivity. 86% of Western suburb consumers opted to purchase within their micro market. This choice is influenced by the familiarity of the location, along with the availability of products that align with their pricing and feature preferences.

The Coastal Road project also includes the development of green spaces, cycling tracks, and pedestrian walkways along the coastline, adding to the quality of life for the city’s residents. These features are expected to complement the high-end residential projects, offering a blend of luxury and sustainability. While the project promises numerous benefits, it also brings challenges, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability. Developers and urban planners are advocating for eco-friendly construction practices and emphasizing the need to balance development with ecological preservation.

The Coastal Road is set to be a transformative force for the western suburbs, offering a blend of improved connectivity, enhanced real estate value, and a better quality of life. This project is more than just a roadway; it represents a new chapter in Mumbai’s urban development, promising a brighter future for the city and its residents.