Pune News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra state government has formally designated the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as the planning authority for 23 areas that were merged into its jurisdiction in 2021, resolving long-standing administrative and planning ambiguities. Under the new arrangement, PMC will take over responsibilities previously held by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for issuing building permissions, approving development plans, and overseeing infrastructure upgrades in these merged areas. The move follows sustained advocacy by local representatives, civic officials and residents to streamline governance and address delays that affected civic services and development. State officials have revoked PMRDA's special planning authority status in the merged villages, and formal handovers of planning documents and revenue streams are expected shortly. Proponents say the change will enhance regulatory clarity and accelerate planned urban development in fringe localities of Pune.Read more

Delhi News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Delhi Development Authority has revised the pricing structure of flats under its ongoing housing schemes by removing separate parking charges, leading to a reduction in flat prices ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 12 lakh. Parking construction costs will now be included in the overall development cost and reflected in the plinth area rate. The decision applies to select MIG and HIG flats across four schemes. Buyers who have already paid parking charges will receive refunds or instalment adjustments.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Bangalore Development Authority has replaced its uniform 10 per cent penalty on vacant sites with a graded penalty structure ranging from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent of the guidance value, following concerns from allottees. The change applies to plot owners who did not commence construction within the stipulated five-year period under their lease-cum-sale agreements. Penalty rates will be determined by site size and, where applicable, based on the guidance value prevailing at the time of construction or the lower of alternative calculations involving Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate (MCLR) plus 2 per cent interest. Plot owners may opt to surrender sites instead of paying penalties, with 12.5 per cent of the amount already paid withheld before any refund. The revised structure aims to better reflect proportionality and ease financial burden on smaller plot holders, though certain layouts are excluded from the new regime. Allottees who have already paid the earlier flat penalty are not eligible for refunds.Read more

20 Feb 2026

The Delhi government has initiated a major infrastructure programme in east Delhi's Vivek Vihar region with projects totaling around INR 1,075 crore. The plan focuses on strengthening 236 roads, constructing five foot overbridges, and upgrading drainage systems to address traffic congestion and waterlogging issues. Managed by the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the projects emphasize timely completion, quality standards, and balanced urban development. Officials are directed to ensure transparency and strict monitoring to improve living conditions across trans Yamuna areas.Read more

20 Feb 2026

Homebuyers in Maharashtra continue to struggle to recover compensation from defaulting developers as recovery warrants remain unexecuted, even after a revised procedure was introduced by the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The new framework was meant to ensure faster compliance by developers and quicker enforcement through district authorities. However, buyers say delays at the execution stage have left orders ineffective. Senior citizens and long-waiting investors remain uncertain, while activists and court observations have again drawn attention to weak enforcement under RERA.Read more

20 Feb 2026

The Chamarajanagar district administration in Karnataka is set to declare 67 additional human habitations as official revenue villages, a move expected to bring greater development and government benefits to residents, officials said earlier this week. The decision follows the preparation of a final draft that will soon be notified by the state government. Currently, the district recognises 408 villages; the newly identified settlements span across Chamarajanagar, Hanur, Kollegal and Gundlupet taluks. Once formally declared, these habitations will receive official land records, residential certificates and related documentation, unlocking access to government schemes, loans and civic services that have been unavailable due to their unclassified status. Criteria for classification include minimum population, number of families and land area, with relaxed norms for forest fringe settlements. Local leaders have welcomed the move and urged inclusion of additional unrecognised settlements in future phases.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently demolished unauthorised portions at H R College of Commerce and Economics in Churchgate, after the institution failed to produce approved building plans or valid permissions. The removed structures included asbestos terrace sheds, rooms on staircase landings from ground to fifth floor, and two mezzanine floors in the library and under the registrar's office. The action followed repeated notices and rejected regularisation applications dating back to mid 2024. College authorities reported disruption of HSC examinations and shifted some classes online while seeking to regularise remaining constructions.Read more

20 Feb 2026

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the All India Tourist Vehicle Permit rules, reducing the maximum period such vehicles can operate outside their home state from 90 days to 60 days. The revised framework, which will take effect in early April, introduces tighter monitoring through vehicle tracking systems, mandatory clearance of unpaid toll dues, and stricter compliance with traffic violations. The move seeks to address repeated misuse of tourist permits, improve passenger safety, and strengthen toll and regulatory compliance across states.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Bombay High Court expressed strong concern over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's failure to prevent open cremations on a disputed plot at Manori Beach, even though the land has been under clear court restrictions for years. The court observed that any activity on the site, including cremation rites, was prohibited under earlier orders. It rejected the civic body's claim that the practice continued due to local sentiment and directed the BMC to ensure that all cremations are shifted to authorised facilities without delay.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

19 Feb 2026

The Bombay High Court recently clarified that cooperative society officials, including divisional joint registrars, cannot resolve succession disputes related to housing society membership, as these are civil and property matters requiring legal adjudication. The court overturned a registrar�s decision that had denied membership to a man in a Peddar Road society based on a technical flaw in a nomination form. With most legal heirs supporting the claim, the court emphasized that nominees do not automatically gain ownership and succession disputes must follow personal law and civil procedures.Read more