24 Jul 2025

Following the Maharashtra cabinet's approval to merge civil areas of Pune and Khadki cantonments with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), debate has sparked over Floor Space Index (FSI) norms for redevelopment. Currently capped at 0.5 in cantonment zones, proposed revisions to 1.0 still fall short of PMC's existing FSI range of 1.1 to 3.0. Residents and developers are urging clarity to ensure fair development post-merger. The process awaits final notification from the Centre and requires coordination among PMC, the Defence Ministry, and other agencies. The merger is part of a nationwide move to integrate cantonment civil areas with municipal bodies to streamline governance.Read more

23 Jul 2025

Housing societies across Maharashtra are in limbo over the non-agricultural (NA) tax, despite a state cabinet decision to abolish it for residential areas within municipal limits. Without a formal government resolution (GR), the waiver remains unenforceable. Revenue authorities continue to issue tax demand notices-over 300 in Pune alone-leaving societies burdened by penalties and legal threats. The NA tax, a colonial-era levy on land converted from agricultural to residential use, was expected to be scrapped last year. Divided over whether to pay or wait, many societies and welfare associations are urging the government to act. Officials cite election-related delays for the holdup.Read more

23 Jul 2025

Karnataka's land digitisation drive has converted over 320 million pages of records into secure digital formats, aiming for 1 billion pages by year-end. The initiative, accessible via the Bhu Suraksha portal and local offices, ensures faster, tamper-proof access to land documents. Category A and B records are now digitally available, with rural Bapuji Seva Kendras set to be included soon. A multi-tier review process and encrypted storage with audit logs uphold accuracy and security. While rural districts like Belagavi and Vijayapura show strong progress, Bengaluru Urban lags behind. Once complete, the system will ease delays and protect landowners from fraud and document loss.Read more

22 Jul 2025

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has temporarily halted its online building map approval system to implement the recently revised building bylaws issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. During this transition phase, all building plan approvals will be processed manually, significantly increasing the turnaround time from a few days to nearly a month. This move is expected to impact GDA's monthly revenue, which averages around INR 34 crore. The revised bylaws allow for higher floor area ratios and reduced plot size requirements for group housing projects, aiming to promote vertical development.Read more

22 Jul 2025

In a major boost for Bengaluru property owners, the Karnataka Cabinet has approved the regularization of B-Khata properties issued by BBMP up to September 30, 2024, granting them A-Khata status. This shift enables access to civic amenities, bank loans, and legal transactions. B-Khatas, issued for properties with minor norm deviations or incomplete approvals, had long faced legal and service restrictions. Properties with valid government circulars will now be treated as compliant, while others may be regularized under forthcoming guidelines. The cabinet also moved to resolve land acquisition anomalies and approved five new municipal corporations-ushering in wide-reaching reforms in Bengaluru's urban governance and property framework.Read more

22 Jul 2025

Brigade Enterprises Ltd has acquired a 20.19-acre plot in the Whitefield-Hoskote corridor of Bengaluru for INR 588.33 crore to develop a residential-cum-commercial project with a 4.2 million sq ft development potential. The company anticipates revenue of INR 5,200 crore from the project. Positioned as a landmark development, the project forms a part of Brigade's ongoing growth strategy in South India, where the firm already holds a strong presence.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertook a major demolition initiative targeting unauthorised constructions in Nerul, Airoli, and Belapur. Despite prior notices issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, many offenders failed to remove illegal structures. The drive, executed under directives from the municipal commissioner and senior officials, resulted in partial and complete demolition of illegal extensions. Equipment including gas cutters, hammers, and labourers were deployed, and a penalty of INR 50,000 was collected during the operation in Airoli. The civic body has indicated its commitment to continuing such stringent enforcement efforts.Read more

20 Jul 2025

Two unsafe buildings in Margao, Goa, 'Cabecca de Calconde' and Indira Apartments, are set for demolition after delays. The 'Cabecca de Calconde' building, deemed beyond repair in 2018, has seen its demolition pending over 1.5 years despite a November 2023 collector's order. Recent parapet collapses prompted swift action and a May 27 order for immediate demolition. The PWD has shortlisted agencies, but the demolition depends on the Margao Municipal Council's ability to vacate the remaining occupants.Read more

19 Jul 2025

The Gujarat government has rolled out a revamped township policy to boost private participation in large-scale, self-sufficient townships. Addressing shortcomings of its 2009 policy, the new plan offers higher FSI, stamp duty waivers, and lower municipal fees to attract developers. To ease land challenges, the government may provide its own land in difficult-to-aggregate areas. A state-wide redevelopment and Transferable Development Rights (TDR) framework is also in the works, allowing developers to use TDRs across cities. Managed by digital city-level committees, the new system aims for transparent, fair valuations. The inter-city TDR model follows successful examples from Mumbai and Pune.Read more

17 Jul 2025

The Punjab government has initiated a major overhaul of the Banur Master Plan by proposing the conversion of vast stretches of agricultural land across nearly 18 villages into residential zones. This decision follows continuous demands from gram panchayats and locals seeking better land utilisation in light of growing housing demand. The updated plan includes four new residential sectors to be developed in phases. Authorities have called for public objections or suggestions before formal implementation.Read more

17 Jul 2025

Mumbai Police have filed an FIR against Hiranandani Builders & Developers for unauthorized excavation and soil erosion near the Powai helipad. The BMC issued a notice on July 7, 2025, but work on the 300m long, 4-5m wide, and 1-2m deep excavation continued despite a stop-work order issued on July 5. The case, registered under sections 52 and 43 of the MRTP Act, highlights continued activity even after civic body intervention. This action follows the BMC approaching police after its notices were not complied with.Read more

16 Jul 2025

The Karnataka government has scrapped plans to acquire 1,777 acres in Devanahalli for an aerospace and defence park, following years of sustained protests by local farmers. Going forward, land will only be acquired from willing sellers, with compensation offered above guidance value and 10% of developed plots allocated in return. Farmers who choose not to sell can continue cultivation, with their land remaining part of the green belt. The revised approach balances development with livelihoods, avoiding forced displacement. Officials say the move respects public sentiment while keeping the door open for voluntary industrial collaboration in a region already key to India's aerospace ecosystem.Read more

16 Jul 2025

Over the past three and a half years, Indian developers have launched residential plots worth an estimated INR 2.44 lakh crore across 10 prominent tier-I and tier-II cities, according to PropEquity. A total of nearly 4.7 lakh plots were introduced between January 2022 and May 2025. Cities like Hyderabad, Indore, Bengaluru, and Chennai led the trend, driven by rising demand for customisable homes and long-term investment potential. Despite a 23% annual decline in supply in 2024, prices surged 27% year-on-year, highlighting continued interest. The first five months of 2025 alone witnessed over 45,000 new plot launches.Read more

16 Jul 2025

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has introduced a new initiative allowing landowners to develop amenities on reserved land in exchange for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). This aims to accelerate public facility development and compensate property owners. Aligned with Maharashtra's Unified DCPR (December 2020), the policy enables NMC to develop 425 reserved lands, bypassing direct budget acquisition. A committee, chaired by the NMC commissioner, will oversee the process, streamlining urban development and benefiting both the public and landowners in Nashik.Read more

16 Jul 2025

Andhra Pradesh is facing a land registration crisis, with the registration of approximately 20 lakh acres of assigned lands on hold due to suspected record tampering. This ongoing freeze prevents farmers from selling their lands. Despite government efforts, including village-level meetings and a Group of Ministers, a solution remains elusive. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad hopes for resolution by October, stating the delay protects genuine landowners.Read more

16 Jul 2025

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has introduced a dedicated five-member vigilance squad to tackle illegal construction activities and penalise staff negligence. The move follows growing public concern over delayed civic action and continued unauthorised developments. The new squad will probe complaints filed through the Saarthi helpline and those escalated to senior officers, with findings being reported directly to the Municipal Commissioner. This decision comes after demolition of structures such as a 1,200 sq ft illegal building in Rahatani and thousands of unauthorised units in areas like Kudalwadi and the Indrayani riverbed, underscoring the urgency of the issue.Read more

15 Jul 2025

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has proposed to reduce enhancement charges by INR 800 per square yard for over 30,000 plot allottees in Mohali. This decision, awaiting state government approval, aims to provide financial relief. Currently at INR 2,645 per square yard, these charges are additional compensation to landowners, recovered from allottees. The proposed revision, contingent on comparison with Noida and Panchkula models, seeks to balance landowner compensation with allottee relief, addressing concerns about rising costs and administrative delays in the past.Read more

14 Jul 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation carried out a demolition drive against unauthorised sheds in Turbhe after the occupants ignored prior notices. Under instructions from Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and supervision by Additional Commissioner Dr Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner Dr Kailas Gaikwad, the encroachment department undertook the operation. A team comprising local civic officers, security personnel, and police officials ensured the removal was carried out smoothly using 21 labourers and a JCB machine.Read more

14 Jul 2025

GMADA's land pooling scheme in Mohali has faced severe backlash, with only 15 of nearly 8,000 villagers opting in. The initiative aimed to consolidate 2,600 acres for commercial, residential, and industrial expansion across sectors like 84, 87, and 120-124. Farmers, especially smallholders, argue compensation is unfair and cite unresolved past issues like delayed Aerocity and IT City allotments. Villages including Patton and Kishanpura have formally rejected the scheme. Protests also highlight alleged coercion and surveillance via satellite to track unauthorized colonies. Despite opposition, officials plan to begin acquisition in 3-4 months, emphasizing long-term benefits for landowners and regional development.Read more

14 Jul 2025

The Bombay High Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the use of Mumbai's salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, ruled that no evidence supported the claim that the land was environmentally sensitive or legally restricted. The judges stated that governmental approvals had already been secured for its use, with no legal bar cited under existing urban planning laws. The PIL had raised concerns over CRZ violations and the potential precedent such land use could set.Read more