Adani Airport City Limited (AACL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), has announced an ambitious integrated airport city programme across its airport network. The first phase will see an investment of more than ₹20,000 crore to develop hospitality, retail, entertainment, convention and commercial infrastructure across six airports in five states.

The development spans over 655 acres across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati. Of this, nearly 440 acres are located in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, where close to 70 per cent of the planned investment will be concentrated. Approximately 22 million sq. ft. of mixed-use development is planned during the first phase.

Inspired by globally recognised airport districts such as Singapore's Changi, Dubai International, Amsterdam's Schiphol and Seoul's Incheon, the Airport City programme aims to transform airports into integrated urban destinations that drive tourism, business, investment and employment while enhancing passenger experiences.

The airport cities are being designed as walkable districts where hotels, offices, retail outlets, restaurants, entertainment venues and convention facilities are seamlessly connected with airport terminals, metro networks and city transport systems. The integrated approach is intended to create vibrant commercial ecosystems that extend beyond traditional airport infrastructure.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL, said, "Around the world, the most successful airport districts have become centres of commerce, tourism and urban growth. As India's aviation market expands, airports have an opportunity to create value far beyond aviation. We are creating a network of integrated urban destinations where airports become catalysts for investment, employment, better passenger experiences and the long-term growth of the cities they serve."

He further added, "These developments are being designed with leading global design and engineering partners and informed by emerging trends in hospitality, retail, workplaces and entertainment. Our objective is to create vibrant districts that combine connectivity with experience, generating economic activity, employment and long-term value for the communities around them."

As part of the initiative, AAHL has signed hotel management agreements with IHG Hotels & Resorts for five luxury and premium hotels, including the introduction of the Kimpton brand in India. The company is also working with leading domestic and international partners across hospitality, food and beverage, retail and entertainment to strengthen the Airport City ecosystem.

Sustainability remains a key focus of the programme. All Airport City developments have received LEED Gold pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), reflecting their emphasis on sustainable design, energy efficiency, walkability and high-quality public spaces.

During the launch, AACL also recognised its development partners, including Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Benoy, Znera Space, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tata Projects, PSP Projects, CBRE, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield, who will contribute to the planning, design and execution of the integrated airport cities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti drug awareness marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach on Friday, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In a first for a sitting Chief Minister of the State, Vijay ran the entire 6 km route alongside participants, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting a drug free Tamil Nadu through active public engagement.

The marathon was organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and witnessed the participation of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior IAS and IPS officers, government officials, sportspersons, students, youth, NCC cadets, volunteers and thousands of members of the public.

Before flagging off the marathon, the Chief Minister administered an anti drug pledge, urging participants to stay away from narcotics, create awareness among family and friends about the harmful effects of drug abuse and support those working towards recovery. He also signed the campaign commitment board with the message, "Sports Edu, Drugs Vidu," encouraging young people to embrace sports as a positive way of life.

The awareness initiative formed part of a statewide campaign, with similar anti drug runs and mini marathons organised across districts in Tamil Nadu. The event highlighted the government's focus on youth empowerment, healthy living and collective efforts to eliminate substance abuse from society.

As destinations increasingly promote wellness tourism and responsible travel, initiatives that encourage healthy living and community participation align closely with the hospitality industry's vision of creating safer, healthier, and more welcoming environments for guests and local communities. The anti drug awareness marathon led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay reflects the growing emphasis on public wellness, with sports and fitness serving as powerful tools to inspire positive social change.

World St. at Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi, has expanded its retail landscape with the addition of eight leading brands, including Mokobara, NYKAA LUXE, Da Milano, Giva, Forest Essentials, Himalaya Opticals and Bentley. The latest additions further strengthen World St.'s positioning as a vibrant retail, lifestyle and social destination within one of Delhi-NCR's premier business districts.

Designed as "The Social Spine of Worldmark," World St. offers a walkable destination where retail, dining and leisure come together in a lively open-street environment. The newly opened stores enhance its curated lifestyle ecosystem by introducing premium travel products, luxury beauty and skincare, leather accessories, jewellery, eyewear and luxury automobiles.

A key highlight of the expansion is Bentley's new flagship showroom at 4 Worldmark, launched in partnership with the BIRD Group. Serving customers across Delhi-NCR, the showroom showcases Bentley's luxury vehicle lineup, including the Bentayga, Flying Spur and Continental GT, further enhancing Worldmark's premium automotive offering.

Spread across nearly half a kilometre through 4, 5 and 6 Worldmark and covering approximately 2,60,000 sq. ft. of gross leasable area, World St. features pedestrian-friendly streets, alfresco dining spaces, landscaped courtyards, public art installations and thoughtfully designed social spaces. The destination seamlessly blends work, leisure and hospitality while offering an extensive mix of cafés, restaurants, bars and lifestyle outlets.

Commenting on the expansion, S. K. Sayal, MD & CEO, Bharti Real Estate, said, "World St. has evolved into one of Delhi-NCR's most vibrant lifestyle destinations, bringing together dining, retail, entertainment, and community experiences in a unique open-street environment. The addition of these retail brands further strengthens our retail offering and reflects the growing appeal of World St. among both consumers and marquee brands. As World St. continues to evolve as the Social Spine of Worldmark, our focus remains on curating experiences that encourage people to spend more time, engage more deeply, and enjoy the best of lifestyle, retail, and hospitality in one integrated ecosystem."

The retail destination is set to expand further with the upcoming openings of Le Marche, Geetanjali Salon and Looks Salon. Complementing its growing retail portfolio is a strong dining lineup featuring brands such as India's first Olive Garden, P.F. Chang's and Magnolia Bakery, reinforcing World St.'s reputation as one of Delhi-NCR's leading destinations for shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences.