22 Feb 2026

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has secured first place in Maharashtra in the City E-Governance Index (CEGI) 2026, marking a significant milestone in digital public administration. The rankings were released by Policy Research Organisation (PRO), Pune, following a comprehensive assessment of 29 municipal corporations across the state. The evaluation focused on service availability, administrative transparency and digital accessibility. NMMC achieved a score of 9.11, placing it ahead of Pune Municipal Corporation, which ranked second. The recognition reflects the Corporation's sustained investment in online civic services, e-office implementation, ERP integration and Smart City technologies, reinforcing its commitment to citizen-centric and technology-driven governance.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Union government highlighted the urgent need for coordinated urban planning and expanded housing finance to meet growing housing demand in India. Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal stressed collaboration between policymakers, banks, housing finance companies, and the National Housing Bank to ensure accessible and inclusive credit. Innovative solutions like a national housing exchange and transit-oriented development were proposed to connect housing with workplaces and public transport. These initiatives aim to address both the rising urban population and the shortage of affordable housing across cities.Read more

22 Feb 2026

A group of homebuyers in Mapusa, Goa, has filed a cheating complaint with local police against two real estate developers, alleging failure to deliver flats booked nearly a decade ago and misrepresentation during the sale process. The complaint concerns units in the Sai Ishwari residential project, where buyers say they paid in full but the developers did not complete construction within the promised timelines, causing financial strain and distress. Complainants have also sought an investigation into the role of a cooperative credit society that sanctioned loans for the mortgaged project, asserting that the society's actions warrant scrutiny. The case reflects broader frustration among property investors in the region over delayed delivery and accountability issues in the real estate sector.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Chief Justice of India has sharply criticised several state governments for appointing retired officials, especially former bureaucrats, to leadership positions in Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs) instead of professionals with relevant real estate, urban planning or legal expertise. During a Supreme Court hearing on unrelated matters, the bench observed that such appointments risk diluting the intended regulatory effectiveness of RERA bodies which were established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 to protect homebuyers and ensure accountability in the real estate sector. The Chief Justice said too many authorities have become rehabilitation centres for retired officials rather than functioning as effective watchdogs, and questioned whether states should revisit how these institutions are constituted. Civil society campaigners have echoed calls for a thorough overhaul of RERA implementation to restore confidence in the system.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has announced a major change to its policy governing delayed residential allotments, opting to discontinue the practice of offering alternate plots as compensation for undelivered land and instead refund the amounts paid by homebuyers along with interest. An official advertisement stated that this shift will affect roughly 8,000 allottees in several delayed residential schemes, where buyers who have not taken possession will receive a refund with interest under established rules, or may choose to adjust their paid amount towards a fresh allotment in another scheme. The land swap option will be retained only if the original land is free of legal or possession issues. The move follows long-standing disputes over possession and aims to provide a more consistent and transparent resolution process for affected plot buyers.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is preparing to open a 7.5-km elevated stretch of the Namma Metro Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Taverekere later this year. While trial runs have begun and seven stations are nearing readiness, poor road conditions, broken footpaths, garbage accumulation and weak pedestrian access along Bannerghatta Road are raising concerns among residents. Commuters fear that without proper last-mile connectivity and basic civic works, the Metro's ability to ease congestion and improve daily travel may remain limited.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

21 Feb 2026

A civic scrutiny in Mumbai has revealed that construction debris generated from nearly 2,000 redevelopment projects was not transported to authorised dumping or recycling locations. The findings raised concerns within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after it emerged that builders repeatedly listed the same limited sites for debris disposal, which could not have handled such volumes. Environmental groups have linked the missing debris to illegal dumping in ecologically sensitive areas. The issue has led to a temporary freeze on approvals for several redevelopment projects across the city.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The central government is preparing a new policy framework to revive private investment in the highways sector, targeting projects worth around INR 1 trillion, or USD 11 billion, to be awarded by FY27. Private participation had weakened due to revenue risks and regulatory delays, with most projects shifting to government-funded models. The proposed changes aim to improve revenue protection, ease approvals, and allow financial investors to bid independently. The move aligns with broader infrastructure plans and a proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund announced in the latest budget.Read more

Gurugram News Desk

21 Feb 2026

Authorities in Gurugram have dismantled two farmhouses and a concrete wall spread over about 26 acres in the Raisina hill area of the Aravali range after identifying fresh unauthorised construction activity in the ecologically sensitive zone, officials said on Monday. The demolition, carried out by the forest department, followed a survey that found extensive concretisation, vegetation clearance and the use of earthmovers without statutory permissions on land protected under the Aravali Notification as uncultivable hill terrain. The action underscores ongoing enforcement to protect the fragile landscape from illegal encroachments and construction, which violate provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act and environmental safeguards. Previous directives from tribunals and courts have called for removal of unauthorised structures across the Aravalis.Read more

21 Feb 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved an INR 18,662 crore project to build India's first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam. The 33.7 km corridor will connect Gohpur and Numaligarh, sharply reducing travel distance and time between the two locations. Planned as a twin-tube tunnel with road lanes and future rail provision, the project is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and support economic activity across Upper Assam and nearby states.Read more