03 Feb 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government is considering the creation of a dedicated civic body for Noida to address long-standing urban governance challenges and streamline delivery of municipal services, according to recent reports. The move follows a Supreme Court direction in August 2025 linked to administrative issues in the region, prompting officials in Lucknow to explore structural reforms for the rapidly expanding city. A detailed proposal for a metropolitan corporation has been prepared and will be presented to the state cabinet for approval; if passed, it would require legislative amendments to redefine institutional responsibilities currently managed by the Noida Authority. Advocates say a municipal corporation could enhance accountability for services like sanitation, waste management and local infrastructure at a time when civic groups and residents have flagged gaps in civic upkeep under the existing governance model. The proposed change aligns with resident demand for more responsive city-level civic governance.Read more

03 Feb 2026

Authorities in Greater Noida have registered an FIR against a builder and the project head of a housing project after an open, waterlogged excavation pit was found near a public road in the Rabupura area. The pit, which remained unattended for months, posed safety and health risks due to stagnant polluted water and the absence of barricades or warning signs. Local residents and farmers raised complaints about foul odour and unsafe conditions, prompting police action under environmental and public safety laws.Read more

03 Feb 2026

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has initiated a safety review of the new double decker Mira-Bhayandar flyover following public complaints about abrupt lane changes that could increase accident risks. The flyover, running along Mira Bhayandar Road near Metro Line 9 and over Golden Nest Circle, narrows from four lanes to two in a short stretch. Officials say this layout is part of a phased plan accounting for limited space and future extensions. Traffic experts are evaluating measures like barriers, rumble strips, and signage to enhance safety before the flyover opens.Read more

03 Feb 2026

Haryana's affordable housing policy has slowed significantly in NCR cities, particularly Gurugram and Faridabad, due to rising land prices and construction costs. Officials report no new licences for affordable housing projects have been issued in the Gurugram-Manesar Master Plan area for nearly two years, raising concerns about policy effectiveness. With maximum unit prices capped at INR 5,000 per square foot, typical flats cost INR 26-35 lakh, but developers find this unviable. Residents and industry bodies urge pricing revisions and continuous policy support to encourage project launches and address middle-class housing needs.Read more

03 Feb 2026

The Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Department has asked district administrations to urgently submit missing PAN details linked to high-value property registrations. The move follows a request from the Income Tax Department for complete buyer and seller PAN information for property deals valued above INR 30 lakh, registered between the 2019-20 and 2024-25 financial years. Data has been shared through the Web-HALRIS portal, with several tehsils showing higher pendency. District officials have been directed to monitor and close gaps without delay.Read more

03 Feb 2026

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, set to take effect from April 1, 2026. The rules mandate segregation of waste at the source into wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste. Bulk waste generators entities with large floor areas, high water usage, or significant daily waste output are required to ensure proper collection, transport, and processing. The regulations adopt circular economy principles, Extended Producer Responsibility, and levy environmental compensation under the 'Polluter Pays' principle. Central and state boards will provide guidelines and enforce compliance.Read more

03 Feb 2026

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a detailed investigation into pollution complaints from residents of Tulsi Tower in Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal, linked to the nearby Tulsi Green construction project. Residents have reported excessive dust, noise at night, open dumping of construction materials, and untreated wastewater affecting health and living conditions. The NGT has constituted a joint committee and asked the Madhya Pradesh government, the developer, and the MP Pollution Control Board to submit responses within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for late February.Read more

03 Feb 2026

The Income Tax Department carried out extensive searches targeting a prominent Surat-based diamond manufacturer and real estate developer earlier this week. The operations covered over 15 locations across Surat, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, focusing on undisclosed earnings and potential diversion of funds from an insolvent jewellery company into real estate projects outside Gujarat. Officials are examining financial records, digital data, and individuals connected to the group, including political and legal associates. The owners, with prior legal and political involvement, have faced criminal cases for alleged fraud and cheating in past years.Read more

02 Feb 2026

The INR1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund, aimed at transforming Indian cities into growth hubs and supporting creative redevelopment, water, and sanitation projects, has been inactive for over a year since its announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Though the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs finalised the programme's rules last year and proposals from at least 15 states are ready, Cabinet approval is still awaited. Experts suggest that even if approval comes soon, only around INR500 crore may be released this fiscal, reflecting limited state capacity to utilise such large allocations effectively.Read more

02 Feb 2026

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has proposed a significant revision in the financial approval framework for government projects, raising the value cap for minister-level clearances to INR 50 crore from the current INR 10 crore. The move is aimed at expediting approvals for high-value projects and improving administrative efficiency across departments. Under the proposed structure, projects valued between INR 50 crore and INR 150 crore would be cleared at the finance minister's level, while those exceeding INR 150 crore would require the chief minister's approval. The chief minister has also directed departments to finalise annual action plans by mid-April and introduced stricter controls on cost escalations. The measures form part of a broader push to improve fiscal discipline, capital expenditure management and digital treasury reforms in the state.Read more