01 May 2025

Property owners in Bengaluru have called on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to extend the 5% property tax rebate deadline beyond April 30, citing technical issues with the BBMP portal. With the portal being inactive until April 5, property owners had limited time to make their payments. Additional confusion surrounding the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee has further frustrated residents. Many are demanding a return to the previous waste management system and an extension of the rebate deadline to ease the situation.Read more

01 May 2025

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has extended the 5% property tax rebate deadline for FY 2025-26 to May 31, 2025, offering relief to property owners facing technical issues and confusion over the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) fee. The rebate was originally available only until April 30, but the BBMP portal's delayed functionality and public requests prompted the extension. Approved by the Urban Development Department under Section 144(8) of the BBMP Act, 2020, the move allows taxpayers paying in full by the new deadline to still claim the rebate. The decision aims to ease taxpayer concerns and improve municipal responsiveness.Read more

30 Apr 2025

Beghou Consulting has expanded its India footprint by inaugurating a new office in Bengaluru, aiming to capitalise on the city's stronghold in healthcare analytics and data science. Positioned in Whitefield's Brigade Metropolis, the new setup complements existing offices in Pune and Hyderabad. This move aligns with Beghou's global strategy to accelerate innovation in life sciences commercialisation by accessing India's specialised talent pool. The firm is targeting a 40% team expansion by the end of the year and plans to deepen collaboration across its Indian and US teams to bolster AI and data science-driven capabilities.Read more

23 Apr 2025

Bengaluru's luxury real estate market has hit a new milestone, with annual sales of homes priced above INR 10 crore surpassing INR 1,000 crore for the first time, according to a joint report by India Sotheby's International Realty and CRE Matrix. Notably, 42% of these high-end sales occurred in FY25 alone, signaling strong momentum driven by a booming tech economy, rising affluence, and growing demand for exclusive living. Hebbal led with 22% of total sales, while areas like Domlur and Bommanahalli are emerging as new luxury hubs. Buyers are favoring large apartments (5,000-7,000 sq ft), reflecting a shift toward lifestyle- and quality-focused investments.Read more

22 Apr 2025

Earlier this week, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) enforced a new rule requiring Occupancy Certificates (OC) and Commencement Certificates (CC) for new electricity connections in Bengaluru. This abrupt policy shift, following a directive from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) citing a Supreme Court order, has left many homeowners-especially those on revenue sites without power. Residents and electrical contractors have voiced concerns over the lack of prior notice and the challenges in obtaining the necessary documentation. Historically, similar mandates have been introduced and later revoked, adding to the confusion and frustration among the city's residents.Read more

21 Apr 2025

In a move aimed at standardizing property taxation, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) introduced a revised parking tax structure for residential properties. The new system calculates tax based on a uniform rate per square foot, replacing the previous zonal classification method. While this change is intended to simplify the taxation process, it has elicited mixed reactions. Homeowners in premium zones may experience increased tax liabilities, whereas those in lower zones could see reductions. The BBMP has acknowledged public feedback and indicated that further revisions may be considered.Read more

18 Apr 2025

CREDAI Bengaluru has appointed Zayd Noaman as its new president, succeeding Amar Mysore. Noaman, Executive Director at Prestige Group, brings a wealth of experience in corporate finance and strategy. The new office bearers, including President-Elect Bimal Hegde, Vice President Karan R Shetty, and others, will serve a two-year term. The leadership team is focused on promoting sustainability in construction, strengthening partnerships, and improving efficiency in Bengaluru's real estate sector, which saw over 17% of India's residential sales last year.Read more

17 Apr 2025

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is making significant progress on the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Layout in North Bengaluru, with over 30,000 plots under development. Approximately 16,000 to 17,000 plots are allocated to farmers who contributed land, while 7,000 to 8,000 plots are designated for public allotment. The BDA has set the price at INR 4,900 per square foot, making a 30x40 site cost around INR 58.8 lakh. Despite 80% of the work being completed, including road construction and utility installations, the allotment process awaits clearance from the High Court due to pending legal issues related to land acquisition. Contractors have been given a three-month deadline to complete the remaining infrastructure work.Read more

17 Apr 2025

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has managed to collect 95% of its property tax target for FY25, gathering INR 4,930 crore against the projected INR 5,210 crore. This success was largely attributed to measures like IT-driven follow-ups, a one-time settlement scheme, and robust arrears recovery protocols. While Yelahanka and Mahadevapura zones surpassed their targets, zones like Bommanahalli and RR Nagar fell behind. With an ambitious target of over INR 6,000 crore set for FY26, BBMP plans to improve compliance without raising tax rates, which have remained unchanged since 2016.Read more

16 Apr 2025

Arnya RealEstates Fund Advisors has invested INR 130 crore in a new residential project by Casagrand in South Bengaluru, marking its second deal since launching its INR 1,000 crore real estate fund in April 2024. The fund, a SEBI-registered Category II AIF, focuses on early-stage debt investments in top-tier cities. Arnya's latest backing supports initial construction for Casagrand's mid-to-premium housing development. With rising investor interest and consistent housing demand in metros, funds like Arnya are playing a crucial role in bridging early-stage financing gaps. The fund's strategy includes a mix of debt, rental income, and equity investments, with backing from HNIs and family offices.Read more

14 Apr 2025

The Karnataka High Court has upheld the acquisition of 750 acres by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the expansion of the Banashankari 6th Stage layout in Bengaluru South Taluk. From this land, the BDA developed 5,991 residential sites, of which 4,983 have been allotted to various applicants. Petitioners challenged the revised acquisition area reduced from an initial 1,532 acres as arbitrary and discriminatory. However, the court ruled that the process was transparent and in the public interest, dismissing the writ appeals and confirming that the acquisition adhered to statutory guidelines.Read more

14 Apr 2025

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has given engineers a three-month deadline to complete pending infrastructure in the Shivaram Karanth Layout in North Bengaluru. Spread across 3,540 acres, the layout is expected to offer over 30,000 plots, but only 10,000-17,000 are currently ready. Key works like roads, water pipelines, and drainage remain incomplete in nearly 40% of the layout. Legal issues and unresolved land acquisition disputes have delayed public site allotment, with a court case still pending. A committee is assessing land values for fair compensation. While public interest remains high, allotments will proceed only after legal and administrative clearances are finalized.Read more

10 Apr 2025

42 Estates has made a significant foray into Whitefield's residential landscape with the launch of its luxury villa project, Between The Greens, located in Varthur, Bengaluru. Spanning 9.5 acres, the development will house 137 premium 4 BHK villas designed around modern aesthetics and sustainability. Developed in joint collaboration with SPD and spearheaded by Gaffar P Kandy, the project promises a balance of nature and connectivity. Offering high-end amenities such as dual clubhouses, wellness zones, and recreational facilities, it aims to cater to the growing demand for nature-centric yet connected living spaces near Bengaluru's IT corridors.Read more

31 Mar 2025

The Karnataka government has approved the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Amendment Bill 2025 to recognize the private layout roads as public roads and address illegal constructions. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted issues where landowners claim ownership of roads despite selling plots, preventing government acquisition. The amendment ensures public access, prevents disputes, and grants BBMP authority to seal illegal buildings. It also shifts decision-making on levies from the Chief Commissioner to council meetings. The law will later extend to towns and panchayats.Read more

28 Mar 2025

Bengaluru is moving ahead with plans for a second international airport to meet its rising air traffic. The Airports Authority of India will conduct a feasibility study from April 7-9, 2025, on three shortlisted locations: two near Kanakapura Road and one near Magadi-Nelamangala. With KIA projected to reach 92 million passengers by 2033, the study-funded by INR 1.21 crore from KSIIDC-will assess technical and environmental viability. The move anticipates the end of a 150-km exclusivity clause by 2033. Like Mumbai's Navi Mumbai airport and Delhi's Jewar airport, Bengaluru aims to expand capacity in time for its future growth.Read more