Bangalore News Desk

08 Jan 2026

The Karnataka government has relaxed building regulations for small residential plots in Bengaluru to make home construction more affordable and boost housing activity. Under the revised rules, owners of plots up to 1,000 sq ft can now construct homes with simplified approval processes and reduced regulatory hurdles, including eased floor area ratio (FAR) limits and streamlined clearance norms. The move aims to unlock the potential of underutilised small parcels of land, promote incremental housing development, and address the city's growing demand for affordable homes in inner-city neighbourhoods. Officials say these changes will benefit first-time buyers and individual plot owners, accelerate construction timelines, and support grassroots growth in Bengaluru's residential real estate landscape.Read more

08 Jan 2026

Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K RERA) has moved to make it mandatory for developers to clearly specify parking slot details in both allotment letters and sale agreements for residential projects. Builders will now have to disclose the exact slot number, type, dimensions, and precise location according to the approved parking plan. The step follows repeated complaints from homebuyers about unclear or inconvenient parking allocations. The directive is expected to reduce disputes, improve transparency, and ensure buyers are fully aware of parking arrangements before completing transactions.Read more

07 Jan 2026

In Chomu (Rajasthan), the local Land, Survey & Ground (LSG) department has initiated action against 20 unauthorised buildings by imposing demolition costs on property owners responsible for illegal construction. Officials charged the costs after determining that the structures lacked requisite approvals under town planning and building regulations. Property owners have been directed to pay the demolition expenses or face enforcement action, reinforcing the authority's commitment to upholding land use and construction norms. The move follows sustained violations in Chomu's urban periphery and is aimed at deterring further unauthorised development. Local residents and civic bodies view the action as a firm step toward ensuring compliance and orderly development in the growing town.Read more

07 Jan 2026

Villagers in Chimbel, Goa, have intensified their protest against the proposed Unity Mall project, demanding its complete cancellation over environmental and community-related concerns. The agitation has seen widespread participation from local residents, including women and senior citizens, who argue that the project threatens the ecologically sensitive Toyaar Lake area and disrupts the village's social fabric. Protesters claim that the development has moved ahead without adequate local consultation and could cause long-term ecological damage. Demonstrations, hunger strikes and public meetings have been organised, with residents warning that the agitation will continue until the project is withdrawn. The state government has indicated openness to dialogue, but villagers remain firm in their stance against the development.Read more

Kolkata News Desk

07 Jan 2026

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched an urgent demolition drive targeting structurally unsafe and hazardous buildings across the city to protect public safety and prevent potential collapses. The action follows engineering assessments and multiple notices issued to property owners whose structures were found to be at risk due to poor maintenance, structural defects or unauthorised alterations. Under the drive, identified buildings are being cordoned off and demolition work initiated where necessary, with rescue and traffic management measures in place to ensure safety. KMC officials have called on landlords and residents to cooperate and complete demolition or repairs within specified timelines, emphasising that timely intervention is critical to safeguard lives and urban resilience.Read more

07 Jan 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a sharp reduction of up to 90% in stamp duty and registration charges for rent agreements. The decision, cleared by the state Cabinet, aims to encourage formal registration of rental contracts and reduce disputes arising from informal agreements. The revised structure replaces percentage-based charges with lower fixed fees linked to rent value and agreement tenure. By making registration more affordable, the state expects higher compliance, improved legal clarity for landlords and tenants, and better regulation of the rental housing market.Read more

07 Jan 2026

The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth INR 51.57 crore linked to Gurugram-based Ocean Seven Buildtech Pvt Ltd as part of a money laundering investigation tied to alleged homebuyers fraud. The action covers immovable properties across multiple states and liquid funds held by the company, its promoter and related entities. The probe stems from police cases alleging diversion of buyers money, repeated resale of housing units and misuse of funds collected for affordable housing projects. The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of fund handling practices in residential real estate.Read more

07 Jan 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached properties valued at around INR 100 crore in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation into the Amrapali Group, following allegations of fund diversion and financial misconduct related to stalled real estate projects. The attached assets include land and buildings linked to companies associated with the group, bringing the total attached value in the case to over INR 300 crore. The action comes amid multiple FIRs and a Supreme Court directive following complaints from homebuyers about unfulfilled project commitments. The ED's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) continues as authorities track the flow of funds and alleged irregular transactions.Read more

07 Jan 2026

The Goa government has approved significant land use changes in Calangute and Anjuna, marking a notable shift in coastal planning policy. Under revised guidelines by the Town and Country Planning department, land earlier classified as green zones or restricted areas has been re-designated for settlement and development. These changes aim to support growing demand for housing, tourism infrastructure and commercial activity in high-demand coastal locations. The revisions are part of updates to the Regional Plan and local Outline Development Plans, increasing the availability of developable land. While authorities see this as unlocking future growth potential, the move has also raised concerns around environmental impact, infrastructure strain and the need for transparent planning and public consultation across Goa.Read more

06 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Uttarakhand government to submit a detailed report identifying illegal constructions on forest land across the state. The court flagged long-standing administrative lapses and raised concerns over unchecked encroachments, particularly in areas around Rishikesh. It has sought precise information, including site plans and land details, while reiterating restrictions on further construction. The matter forms part of a suo motu case examining how notified forest land was gradually occupied despite repeated warnings and existing legal safeguards.Read more