22 Sep 2023

A level-2 fire incident occurred at Benreez Apartment in Mumbai's upscale Worli locality, specifically in the basement area. The incident, reported around 10:39 pm, was quickly categorized as Level 2 at 10:46 pm. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and six individuals were safely evacuated from the building's basement. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) deployed seven fire engines and eight jumbo tankers to combat the blaze, which was confined to an area of around 4,000 square feet. The presence of plastic items in the basement contributed to the fire's intensity. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which was extinguished around 1 am after about two hours of firefighting efforts.Read more

22 Sep 2023

Manipal Hospitals has acquired an 84 percent controlling stake in AMRI Hospitals, bolstering its presence in eastern India. This strategic move enhances Manipal's bed capacity, with plans to expand from 9,500 to 12,000 beds within three years. The deal, estimated at around Rs 2,300 crore, aligns with Manipal's goal of becoming the dominant healthcare chain in the region. For the Emami Group, divesting the majority of its AMRI Hospitals stake allows a sharper focus on core businesses. The deal faced complexities and legal disputes but underscored Manipal Hospitals' growth ambitions and commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of eastern India.Read more

22 Sep 2023

Mumbai's housing market remains robust, contributing 40% to India's residential sales. After a strong recovery in 2022, residential unit launches surged by 183%. The trend is set to continue, with projections of residential sales exceeding INR 1 lakh crore in 2023 and potentially reaching INR 2 lakh crore by 2030. While mid-segment housing dominates, there's a growing interest in upper mid and premium segments. Infrastructure developments are set to improve connectivity and public transportation, reducing travel times by 50% in the next five years. These efforts also aim to increase public transport usage from 65% in 2016 to 75% in 2030, promoting sustainability.Read more

21 Sep 2023

The iconic bungalow in Mumbai's Juhu neighborhood, which belonged to the late Bollywood actor Dev Anand, is set to make way for a 22-storey tower. After over 40 years of housing the actor's family, the property was reportedly sold to a real estate firm for an estimated Rs 350-400 crores. Dev Anand's children, who have settled in various locations, found it challenging to maintain the large property, leading to the decision to sell. The family has a history of investing in real estate, with the proceeds from the sale of Anand Studios and other properties being reinvested in residential flats in Mumbai. Mumbai's real estate market has long attracted Bollywood celebrities for investment purposes, making it a lucrative choice for wealth preservation.Read more

21 Sep 2023

Uttar Pradesh's housing department is enforcing mandatory accessibility measures for all apartments and residential societies. Following guidelines from the Central government, they are ensuring that public information shared with residents is easily accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes using multimedia formats, such as smartphones and email, and implementing public announcement systems. Non-compliance may result in notices being issued. These measures align with international standards for inclusivity and accessibility. This initiative recognizes that access to information is a fundamental right and is taking proactive steps to make it available to everyone, regardless of physical abilities.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The state of Maharashtra in India is integrating all maps generated from new land measurement surveys conducted with rover machines with the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN). Rovers are signal-receiving and transmitting devices that expedite land measurement and survey applications. Approximately 1,000 rovers are currently in use across the state. This initiative, which began as a pilot project eight months ago, is expanding to cover 33 talukas in 32 districts, including Mumbai city and suburban areas. The integration of rover-generated maps with ULPIN is expected to benefit citizens by providing precise boundary demarcations in property records and 7/12 extracts.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is taking steps to make the city free of construction and demolition (C&D) waste and has identified 158 sites for dumping such waste. Out of these, 125 sites have been designated in and around civic wards. The MCD currently operates five C&D waste processing plants with a daily capacity of 5,500 tonnes and a monthly capacity of about 1.5 lakh tonnes. These plants can collectively process 18 lakh tonnes of C&D waste in a year. The MCD aims to not only eliminate garbage but also make Delhi free of C&D waste while implementing measures to prevent pollution at these dump sites.Read more

19 Sep 2023

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) is taking a significant step to enhance housing project quality in the state. They are set to introduce comprehensive quality guidelines for realty projects, with a strong focus on safeguarding homebuyers' interests. With 1.6 crore citizens waiting for homes and 14 lakh homes under construction in Maharashtra, these guidelines aim to ensure timely construction and uncompromising quality. Additionally, MahaRERA plans to introduce an Act dedicated to monitoring construction quality and resolving disputes. In parallel, the RealTech Fund (RTF), with an initial corpus of Rs 50 crore, seeks to drive technological innovations in the real estate sector. These initiatives align with the goal of providing high-quality, accessible housing for all residents.Read more

19 Sep 2023

A fire occurred in a 12-story SRA building in Kurla, Mumbai, housing residents who were relocated from the Tansa pipeline area in 2017. This marks the third fire incident in a year, with a previous one causing a fatality. The recent fire was attributed to a faulty electric circuit, worsened by a malfunctioning fire system. Residents had previously warned the fire brigade about the circuit's condition. Now, they face a lack of electricity for over two months and financial challenges for repairs. This unfortunate situation highlights the residents' precarious living conditions and the urgent need for safety measures and support.Read more

19 Sep 2023

Environmental activists in Pune have voiced concerns over the dumping of construction debris along a 3.7km stretch of the Mula-Mutha river, earmarked for the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) riverfront development project. The debris accumulation on the river's left bank has resulted in uprooted trees, loosened roots, and the demise of plants and shrubs. Activists argue that PMC is disregarding their objections and pre-emptively planning to cut trees without proper permissions. They highlight that this practice threatens the environment and the river's water quality. PMC claims it hasn't violated any orders and will address the issue once complaints are received.Read more