02 Jul 2025

Following the partial collapse of a dilapidated building on Plot No. 59, Sector 26, Parsik Hill in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) conducted a full-scale demolition of the structure. The building, already categorised as C2-B during 2020-2021, had previously received structural audit notices in August 2024 and May 2025. Under the directives of the Municipal Commissioner and supervision of the Encroachment Department, demolition was executed using heavy machinery and a dedicated team of officials and labourers to eliminate risks to public safety.Read more

02 Jul 2025

Over 70,000 housing units across 493 projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are stalled due to a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive requiring central environmental clearance for projects within 5 km of eco-sensitive zones. This change replaces previous state-level approvals and has caused major delays, especially in affordable and mid-income housing. Developers and homebuyers face financial stress, with construction paused in areas like Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Thane Bird Sanctuaries. A plea to allow work up to the plinth level was denied, citing NGT's August 2023 order. In Navi Mumbai, many government land projects are also stalled pending central clearance.Read more

02 Jul 2025

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has assured that homes built on "zudpi jungle" land will not be demolished, impacting approximately 2 lakh families. He has directed officials to complete the regularization and land title issuance process within three months. This follows a Supreme Court ruling on May 22, 2025, which classified about 86,000 hectares of such land as forest but allowed for protecting existing settlements. The directive aims to grant ownership rights to long-term occupants who have historically paid taxes but lacked formal titles, addressing a matter of "life and dignity."Read more

01 Jul 2025

Over 3,000 residents participated in Bengaluru's recent e-Khata mega mela in Byatarayanapura, where BBMP and state officials facilitated on-the-spot digitisation of property records. The event helped issue around 1,500 e?Khatas within hours and handed over 677 final certificates on the same day. With Byatarayanapura holding 1.8 lakh properties and over 5.3 lakh properties digitised citywide, the BBMP now plans to replicate the model across other wards in July. The initiative, which also won the National e-Governance Gold Award, aims to make the process faster, more accessible, and less prone to delays or malpractices by taking services directly to citizens.Read more

01 Jul 2025

Indore has taken a major step in digital governance by becoming the first Indian city to launch a QR-code based digital address system. Starting with Ward 82 in Sudama Nagar, every house is now being equipped with a GPS-linked QR code plate that opens a unique digital profile via the national DigiPIN platform. Residents can now access services such as tax payments, utility bills, civic records, and emergency assistance through their phones. This pilot is free of cost and aims to gradually cover around 700,000 properties. The initiative also promises future infrastructure upgrades in the area.Read more

30 Jun 2025

Following fresh orders from the National Green Tribunal, authorities in Gurgaon have demolished 15 illegal farmhouses built on protected forest land in the Aravali region, covering about 30 acres across eco-sensitive areas like Gwalpahari, Abheypur, and Manesar. The drive, supervised by a duty magistrate, followed show-cause notices and hearings for violators. Meanwhile, Haryana officials have identified over 6,700 illegal constructions in Faridabad's protected zones, with phased demolitions underway. While activists welcome the action, they say enforcement is still reactive, highlighting the need for stricter, preventive measures to protect the fragile Aravali ecosystem from further encroachment and ecological damage.Read more

30 Jun 2025

The Punjab Cabinet has revamped the state's industrial land conversion policy, making it easier for owners of plots between 1,000 and 4,000 sq yd to shift to commercial uses like healthcare, hospitality, offices, education, and rental housing, subject to local zoning and road width rules. A flat 12.5% conversion fee simplifies what was once a complex process. Larger industrial plots can now be redeveloped into integrated parks with industrial, residential, and commercial spaces. Leasehold plots can also be converted to freehold, potentially generating INR 1,000 crore in fees. The government is also rolling out digital tools and new rules to speed up approvals and reduce red tape.Read more

30 Jun 2025

The municipal government has kicked off an ambitious urban renewal effort by relocating nine slum clusters from Bhopal's city centre to sites within a 3-5 km radius. Around 14,000 permanent homes will be built via a Public-Private Partnership on government land. This move part of the wider Jhuggi Mukt Bhopal Yojana aims to free up 125 acres in the heart of the city and revamp living standards across 388 slums impacting 150,000 households. It follows previous survey efforts and on-site redevelopment plans near high-security zones that were abandoned to avoid security issues.Read more

30 Jun 2025

Tiruvallur district authorities have appealed to the NGT for an extension in their ongoing eviction drive targeting 194 illegal structures built along Vilinjiyambakkam lake in Avadi, Chennai. Of these, 79 structures comprising 49 homes and 30 shops have already been removed. The remaining families are in the process of being relocated through government housing schemes or alternate land allocations. The lake, once spread over 100 acres, has shrunk drastically due to encroachments and untreated sewage. Although the NGT had passed eviction orders earlier, procedural delays and local resistance stalled progress. Officials now seek more time to complete the operation without displacing residents abruptly.Read more

30 Jun 2025

Rane (Madras) Ltd finalised the sale of a 3.48-acre plot in Velachery, Chennai, to Canopy Living LLP, a joint venture between Prestige Estates Projects Ltd and Arihant Foundations & Housing for INR 361 crore. The strategic monetisation, facilitated by CBRE, is part of Rane's broader plan to reduce debt and streamline its city office operations. The remaining 1.02 acres of the 4.5-acre site will be retained by Rane (Madras) for setting up a new office.Read more

29 Jun 2025

Narayana Hrudayalaya has acquired over 46,000 sq. ft. of land in Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, for INR 246 crore through three deals-the largest involving 93,500 sq. ft. from Kelachandra Veneer Industries. While development plans remain undisclosed, the purchase aligns with the hospital chain's expansion strategy in south Bengaluru. Founded by Dr. Devi Shetty, the company operates 18 hospitals across India and has been strengthening its presence in the city's growing healthcare corridor. The acquisition follows a prior land deal in Begur Hobli worth INR 169 crore. The area's rising real estate value and improved infrastructure make it a hotspot for institutional investments.Read more

29 Jun 2025

The BMC has leased an 8,116 sq. m land parcel near Crawford Market, home to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market, for INR 369 crore-13% below the base price of INR 428 crore. Awarded to AAV Developers LLP for 30 years, the deal includes provisions for public infrastructure like a staircase, lift, and escalators for a planned foot over-bridge linking CSMT station to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai. Despite concerns over public utility and limited bidding-only two offers were received-the sale is part of BMC's strategy to ease financial pressure from infrastructure liabilities, which now exceed INR 2 lakh crore.Read more

28 Jun 2025

Aseem Infrastructure Finance Ltd. (AIFL), an RBI-registered Infrastructure Finance Company backed by the Government of India through NIIF, has secured its first USD 80 million External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) and green loan from DBS Bank Ltd. Structured and arranged solely by DBS through its GIFT City branch, the funds will accelerate the financing of renewable energy projects across India. The transaction also marks DBS's role as the sole sustainability coordinator, reinforcing its leadership in responsible banking. India's clean energy ambitions, including the 2030 target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity, continue to attract strategic green financing.Read more

28 Jun 2025

The Firozpur Feeder Reconstruction Project, a joint initiative between Rajasthan and Punjab, is moving forward with approvals and funding commitments. With a sanctioned cost of INR 647.62 crore, the project seeks to enhance the Gang Canal system's capacity to support irrigation in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts. Punjab has agreed in principle to contribute INR 379.12 crore, while Rajasthan will fund INR 268.50 crore. The initiative is expected to significantly benefit over 3.14 lakh hectares of agricultural land.Read more

27 Jun 2025

Farmers giving land for Lucknow's IT City along Sultanpur Road are set to gain nearly 10 times more than traditional land acquisition offers, thanks to a voluntary land pooling model. Instead of cash, they receive a share in developed or undeveloped land, allowing them to benefit from future value growth. So far, over 350 bighas have been pooled. Spread across 2,858 acres, the project includes residential, industrial, commercial, and green zones. Improved road connectivity and strict development oversight by the LDA add to its appeal. Inspired by Pune's Magarpatta model, this approach promotes farmer-inclusive urbanisation with long-term benefits for landowners.Read more

27 Jun 2025

The Maharashtra Industrial Township Ltd (MITL) has allotted more than 60 acres of land in the Bidkin node of Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) to six companies planning a combined investment of INR 1,261.2 crore. The industrial units will focus on manufacturing auto components, steam boilers, and solar cells, potentially generating 3,288 direct jobs. Junna Solar Systems Ltd has emerged as the largest investor among them with an investment of INR 400 crore. The region has so far seen 185 land allotments, 79 of which are already operational.Read more

26 Jun 2025

The Chandigarh UT administration has set a reserve price of INR 11,850 per sq yd for auctioning nearly 7 acres of land in Manimajra, aiming to revive its land monetisation strategy. The plots, spanning residential, commercial, and institutional use, will be auctioned online, with residential plots 1-5 offered on a freehold basis and others on a 99-year leasehold. The administration has also sought Union Cabinet approval to allot land at collector rate for constructing 3,930 self-financed apartments for UT employees. The Municipal Corporation expects to generate over INR 400 crore from an upcoming auction in nearby pocket 6.Read more

26 Jun 2025

Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has moved e-Khata application submissions to Belagavi One centres to curb corruption and reduce delays. Following a surprise inspection revealing manipulation by agents, Commissioner Shubha B suspended manual processing and launched a digital-first system. Citizens can now submit applications directly at two active centres, with two more opening soon. A nominal INR 25 fee is charged, with no middlemen allowed. In 48 hours, BCC cleared 3,854 pending applications. Despite brief server issues, operations are stabilising. The initiative follows a state directive to resolve e-Khata cases within three months and includes public info boards and a helpline for assistance.Read more

26 Jun 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has carried out a demolition drive in the Ghansoli area against unauthorised constructions, which continued despite prior notices issued under Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The demolition was ordered by the civic chief and executed under the supervision of senior officials. RCC structures rising up to four storeys were razed as they lacked necessary permissions. Officials have signalled a stricter crackdown on future violations across the region.Read more

26 Jun 2025

The Bombay High Court has struck down Section 17(2) of Goa's Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, criticising unchecked land-use conversions in Bardez taluka, including Calangute and Candolim. Between March 2023 and early 2024, over 353 approvals reclassified 2.65 million sqm of orchards and paddy fields into settlement zones-bypassing planning norms and public scrutiny. The court called the move 'disastrous,' highlighting systemic failures in Goa's urban planning. This follows past judicial interventions halting Outline Development Plans and the 2021 Regional Plan notification. While the Goa government has appealed the decision, the ruling marks a win for civic groups seeking transparent, eco-sensitive development.Read more