PNT Reporter

29 May 2023

Over 50 homebuyers have braved scorching temperatures to stage their 25th week of protests in Greater Noida West, demanding resolution for long-pending home registries. NEFOWA's president, Abhishek Kumar, expresses disappointment at the government's inaction despite repeated assurances. The protests continue to gain momentum as more residents join from various societies, and with over 60,000 homebuyers still awaiting their registries, the situation is growing more urgent. The homebuyers remain resolute, vowing to persist until their demands are met.Read more

PNT Reporter

29 May 2023

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) sealed 38 properties, including 14 in Ranip and 10 in Vastral, over non-compliance with building-use permits. In addition to sealing buildings, AMC embarked on a demolition spree, razing illegal constructions in the historic Walled City. An illegal structure spanning 490 square meters in Shahpur and unauthorized constructions over 13,080 square meters in Danilimda were dismantled. This enforcement highlights AMC's determination to uphold building regulations, underscoring the necessity of legal compliance in urban development.Read more

PNT Reporter

29 May 2023

Six individuals, including five employees of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) and a private contractor, have been indicted by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for alleged corruption and quality negligence in a housing project. The housing, intended for the victims of the 2015 Chennai floods, was deemed substandard, leading to a significant loss of 732 crore to the exchequer. The indictment underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability in government-led construction projects, particularly those aimed at housing disaster victims.Read more

PNT Reporter

26 May 2023

A collaborative team comprising the district town planner (enforcement) and hydrologists will conduct a comprehensive survey of residential societies in the new sectors and Sohna to assess the functionality of sewage treatment plants (STPs). This initiative comes in response to complaints regarding the illegal discharge of sewage in open areas. The team will inspect the residential areas, identify non-compliant societies, and submit a detailed report on their findings. The survey aims to address concerns raised by residents about health and environmental hazards caused by improper sewage disposal in these areas.Read more

PNT Reporter

26 May 2023

The Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) has launched an upgraded website, providing buyers with enhanced transparency and useful tools. The redesigned website incorporates GIS mapping and property exploration tools, enabling users to access interactive maps that showcase not only the projects but also key aspects of the surrounding neighbourhood. Buyers can monitor development progress, access plans, permits, brochures, and photos with a single click. The website has been designed by the startup Xocortx.Read more

PNT Reporter

26 May 2023

Persistent software glitches in Maharashtra's nine-year-old tenant registration system have stalled processing of over 13,000 applications. The state registration department has appealed to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for an urgent software upgrade. HH Sonawane, Inspector General of Registration and Stamps, acknowledged the issue, which has disrupted registrations and left lease applications pending for nearly two weeks. Amid growing frustration, the Association of Service Providers calls for a robust backup system to protect citizens from future technical disruptions.Read more

PNT Reporter

25 May 2023

Union Housing Minister Kaushal Kishore applauded Andhra Pradesh's government for allotting residential plots to three million impoverished families. The praise came during his review of housing schemes, including the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY). Emphasizing the Centre's goal of universal housing by 2024, Kishore urged officials to expedite construction and infrastructure development. State Housing Minister Jogi Ramesh sought additional funding for infrastructure, revealing the state's Rs 30,000 crore investment in the YSR Jagananna colonies.Read more

PNT Reporter

25 May 2023

A significant portion of the Aravalli terrain near Gurugram has been stripped of trees, levelled, and transformed into walled compounds, violating the Forest Conservation Act. The area, part of the Aravalli Plantation project, has been encroached upon to build farmhouses. Satellite images and eyewitness reports confirm the irreversible destruction. Activists highlight the urgent need for an Aravalli task force to protect the ecosystem, recharge groundwater, and preserve wildlife habitats. Violations underscore the importance of challenging attempts to privatize the land and emphasize its ecological significance.Read more

PNT Reporter

25 May 2023

Ahmedabad City civic body chief M Thennarasan expressed dissatisfaction with the public's lack luster response to the recently implemented impact fee scheme, prompting him to take decisive action. In an effort to address the issue of illegal constructions, Thennarasan issued a directive to all municipal zone heads, instructing them to compile a list of the five largest unauthorized structures within their respective zones. Furthermore, he mandated that demolition proceedings should commence within a week.Read more

PNT Reporter

24 May 2023

Following a series of court-ordered home demolitions in Tughlagabad, a multitude of displaced slum residents rallied at Jantar Mantar, under the banner of Mazdoor Awas Sangathan Samiti. The protestors, from across Delhi, united to demand immediate government intervention and rehabilitation. The demonstrations were intensified by the hunger strike of Reena, a 45-year-old Tughlagabad resident, alongside widespread fears that the city's beautification efforts for the upcoming G20 Summit have escalated the evictions. The protest spotlighted the increasing tensions between urban development and housing rights in the city, posing serious ethical questions under the global gaze.Read more