The proposed US tariff hikes on Chinese goods are raising concerns among Indian real estate stakeholders. Developers fear potential delays and cost escalations due to supply chain disruptions in construction materials and equipment, which may impact leasing activities and foreign investments in India's commercial and residential real estate markets.

The Bombay High Court has ordered the demolition of an illegal community hall built in Ghatkopar on a municipal playground. The court observed that the structure lacked required permissions and violated zoning laws. BMC has been instructed to carry out the demolition within two weeks.

The ED has attached assets worth INR 121.80 crore belonging to Neomax Properties in connection with a money laundering case. The firm allegedly collected funds from over 1,600 investors under fraudulent pretexts and diverted them to unrelated businesses, leading to multiple complaints and legal action.

The Pune Cantonment Board has proposed a two-fold FSI for civil areas to encourage redevelopment. The revised Floor Space Index will enable larger construction areas, subject to Defence Ministry approval. This move is expected to boost infrastructure modernisation and attract private investments into cantonment zones.

Gujarat's Chief Minister has indicated a plan to streamline the building plan approval process to encourage timely construction. The announcement was made at the CREDAI StateCon event, where ease of doing business and digitisation of permissions were discussed as part of the broader agenda to accelerate real estate growth.

Prestige Estates reported pre-sales worth INR 17,023.1 million in Q1 of FY25, led by strong demand across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The company also launched five new projects during the period, reflecting robust buyer interest in premium and mid-segment housing.

During the building map approvals, the Lucknow Development Authority has scrapped the mandatory requirement for NOCs from various departments. This reform is intended to simplify and expedite real estate project clearances, making it easier for developers to obtain permissions and begin construction.

A 30-member team from IISc has proposed a INR 500 crore project to the government for developing angstrom-scale chips using 2D materials like graphene, aiming to leap beyond current 3nm silicon-based technologies. The chips could be one-tenth the size of today’s smallest semiconductors. While global rivals invest heavily in post-silicon tech, India risks falling behind. The proposal, under discussion with MeitY since 2021, seeks to position India as a leader in next-generation semiconductor innovation with national security and strategic implications. - PTI

Macrotech Developers, operating under the Lodha brand, reduced its net debt by 7% to INR 3,990 crore in Q4 FY25, driven by strong housing sales and customer collections. Sales bookings rose 21% to a record INR 17,630 crore, while collections jumped 29% to INR 14,490 crore. The firm acquired 10 land parcels in MMR, Pune, and Bengaluru, with a revenue potential of INR 23,700 crore. It also resolved a trademark dispute with Abhinandan Lodha, clarifying both Lodha brands will operate independently. - PTI

SEBI has found no manufacturing activity at Gensol Engineering’s Pune EV plant, despite the company claiming pre-orders for 30,000 vehicles. Investigations revealed misleading disclosures, unverified MoUs, and alleged misuse of INR 262 crore in EV loan funds. Funds were diverted for personal expenses by promoters Anmol and Puneet Jaggi. SEBI barred the Jaggi brothers from holding directorships or accessing the securities market and froze Gensol’s planned 1:10 stock split. The promoters have since resigned amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny. - PTI

India’s energy storage sector is projected to attract INR 4.79 lakh crore in investments by 2032, expanding five-fold between 2026 and 2032, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). Driven by rising renewable energy capacity, storage demand is expected to reach 73.93 GW and 411.4 GWh by FY32. At the SESI 2025 conference in Gujarat, officials highlighted falling battery storage costs and growing interest in long-duration tenders. The sector is poised to become central to India’s clean energy transition. - PTI

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce (DCC) has opened its second India office in Bengaluru, highlighting the UAE’s focus on tech, startups, and clean energy collaborations. Following the India-UAE CEPA agreement, bilateral ties have strengthened, spurring UAE investment in AI, fintech, edtech, and textiles. Bengaluru’s role as a global startup hub makes it a strategic choice. With over 4,500 Indian firms registering with DCC in Q1 2025, the new office is expected to boost trade and cross-border partnerships across emerging sectors. - PTI

State-run telecom firm MTNL has defaulted on INR 8,346.24 crore in loans from seven public sector banks, including Union Bank, IOB, and SBI, with defaults occurring between August 2024 and February 2025. As of March 31, 2025, MTNL’s total debt stands at INR 33,568 crore, including INR 24,071 crore in sovereign guarantee bonds and INR 1,151 crore owed to the Department of Telecom. The disclosure highlights MTNL’s ongoing financial distress amid its continued status as a loss-making public sector enterprise. - PTI

JSW Energy will invest INR 16,000 crore to build a 1,600 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Salboni, West Bengal—its largest greenfield project and first major venture in eastern India. With a cost-efficient INR 10 crore per MW, the project includes a power purchase agreement with the state. The company is also planning a INR 8,000–10,000 crore, 900–1,000 MW pumped storage project in Purulia. Together, these initiatives support JSW’s 40 GWh storage roadmap and West Bengal’s growing energy demand. - PTI

The Uttar Pradesh government aims to install 8 lakh rooftop solar systems by March 2027 under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, with 2.65 lakh targeted for FY25. UPNEDA is leading implementation, supported by over 2,500 empanelled vendors and 1,800 trained professionals. Progress is monitored via the Chief Minister’s dashboard. With over 1 lakh systems already installed and 500+ added daily, the initiative is a key move to promote green energy and household solar adoption across the state. - PTI

Pacific Group will develop a 15 lakh sq ft shopping mall and a 130-room hotel in Jaipur, marking its entry into Rajasthan amid rising demand for premium retail in Tier II cities. The mall is expected to open by end-2026, followed by the hotel in 2027. With nine operational malls across Delhi-NCR, Dehradun, and Faridabad, Pacific is now leasing space in the Jaipur project. MD Abhishek Bansal remains optimistic about India's organised retail growth, despite e-commerce expansion. - PTI

JSW Energy is set to unveil Vision 3.0 within 2–3 months, revising its 2030 targets above the current 20 GW capacity and INR 1.15 lakh crore investment under Vision 2.0. With 12.2 GW operational and 18 GW in development, two-thirds of its portfolio is expected to be green energy by FY26. The firm is also commissioning wind turbine blade plants in Karnataka and Gujarat, launching a green hydrogen unit, and exploring acquisitions—while maintaining focus on EBITDA over topline growth and financial prudence. - PTI

India has raised concerns with the US over the re-imposition of 25% and 10% tariffs on its steel and aluminium exports, respectively, effective from March 12. The move breaches a previously settled WTO agreement under the Mutually Agreed Solution (MAS), through which both nations had resolved related disputes in 2020. India’s exports of these metals to the US totalled USD 450 million in 2024. The issue will be discussed during India-US trade talks starting April 23 in Washington. - PTI

Indian Bank has set a target to disburse INR 20,000 crore to Self Help Groups (SHGs) across India in FY25. During a mega credit outreach event in Bhubaneswar, 9,961 SHGs received sanction letters totalling INR 509.91 crore. The initiative aligns with the government’s mission to empower one crore SHG women under the ‘Credit Access’ campaign and supports the broader ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision. The event was attended by top officials from Indian Bank and the Department of Financial Services. - PTI

​The Chandigarh administration plans to demolish Sanjay Colony (6 acres) and Janta Colony (10 acres) as part of its initiative to make the city slum-free. Sanjay Colony is scheduled for demolition by the end of April 2025, followed by Janta Colony. This action follows the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive to hear residents' submissions before proceeding. Both colonies house over 4,000 shanties; notably, Janta Colony is the last major slum in Chandigarh, situated on land valued at approximately INR 350 crore. - PTI

​The Telangana government plans to develop a 450-acre IT Knowledge Hub in Puppalaguda, aiming to generate employment for 500,000 people. The site includes approximately 200 acres previously allotted to housing societies—now reclaimed following a Supreme Court ruling—and 250 acres owned by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation. The land is fully developed and free from encumbrances, making it suitable for immediate use. While the state hasn't finalized whether to auction or allot the land, officials suggest auctions are likely. - PTI

India’s automobile exports rose 19% in FY25 to 53.63 lakh units, driven by strong overseas demand for passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles. Passenger vehicle exports hit a record 7.7 lakh units, led by a 54% surge in utility vehicle shipments. Two-wheeler exports rose 21% to 41.98 lakh units, aided by new models and stable demand in Africa and Latin America. SIAM noted rising exports to developed markets, showcasing India’s manufacturing competitiveness and global appeal of ‘Made in India’ vehicles. - PTI

India’s top ten most valued companies added INR 3.84 lakh crore in market capitalization last week, driven by a 4.5% rally in the Sensex and Nifty. HDFC Bank and Bharti Airtel led the gains, adding INR 76,484 crore and INR 75,211 crore, respectively. The surge was fueled by optimism over tariff deferrals, easing inflation, a normal monsoon forecast, and strong global cues. Reliance Industries remained India’s most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, TCS, Bharti Airtel, and ICICI Bank. - PTI

The government has extended the deadline for public feedback on the proposed Coal Trade Exchange (CTE) rules to May 7, 2025. The CTE aims to create a competitive, many-to-many trading platform for coal, shifting from the current one-to-many sales model. It will enable commercial and captive miners, along with PSU coal companies, to market coal more efficiently. The Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) is proposed as the regulator, as India anticipates surpassing 1.5 billion tonnes of coal output by 2030. - PTI

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) infused INR 8,472 crore into Indian equities last week, reversing early April outflows driven by US tariff uncertainties. Despite a INR 23,103 crore net outflow in April so far, renewed investor confidence stems from India’s resilient economy, stable growth outlook, and weakening dollar index. Experts expect sustained FPI interest as India is projected to grow at 6% in FY26. FPI focus is shifting toward domestic consumption-driven sectors like financials, telecom, autos, cement, and healthcare. - PTI

Equity market sentiment this week will hinge on Q4 earnings, US tariff updates, and FII activity. Key earnings from Infosys, Axis Bank, HCL Tech, and Maruti will be closely tracked. Analysts expect a gradual market uptrend, supported by strong FII inflows, cooling inflation, and an above-normal monsoon forecast. Last week, FIIs bought INR 14,670 crore in equities, driving Sensex up 4.51%. India’s strong 6% FY26 growth outlook amid global slowdown may sustain investor interest despite external volatility. - PTI

India's New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) attracted over USD 36 billion across nine bid rounds before 2014, resulting in 177 oil and gas discoveries. However, only 29 of the 254 awarded blocks remain active due to regulatory delays and disputes over cost recovery. To improve ease of doing business, the government introduced the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) in 2016, shifting to a revenue-sharing model. Under eight OALP rounds, USD 1.37 billion was invested, yielding 10 discoveries. Additionally, 85 discovered small fields have drawn over USD 260 million since 2016. - PTI

India’s capital markets saw a surge in retail participation in FY25, with 84 lakh new active demat accounts added on the NSE, a 20.5% year-on-year rise, bringing the total to 4.92 crore. Digital brokers Groww and Angel One led the growth, contributing 57% of net additions. Groww added 34 lakh accounts and raised its market share to 26.26%, while Angel One added 14.6 lakh. Zerodha added 5.8 lakh new accounts, holding a 16% market share. - PTI

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s planned capital, aims to become the world’s first city fully powered by renewable energy. With a target of 2,700 MW from solar, wind, and hydropower by 2050, the INR 65,000-crore smart city will integrate rooftop solar systems, electric public transport, and widespread EV infrastructure. All government and commercial buildings must adopt solar panels and green standards. A district cooling system, developed with Tabreed, is expected to reduce cooling energy needs by 50%. - PTI

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) on Saturday reviewed the progress of the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport ahead of its inauguration, which is expected to take place in June, a release said. The meeting focused on the operational readiness of the airport as it moves closer to its inaugural phase of operations, it said. Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, the special purpose vehicle which is developing the airport, on its part confirmed that the work related to the airside infrastructure has been fully completed while the process to secure aerodrome licensing from the DGCA and security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are progressing. - PTI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has embarked on an 11-day visit to the US and Peru. In the US, she will attend IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, G20 FMCBG, and meet global CEOs and investors, including delivering a keynote at Stanford University. In Peru, she will meet top government officials and co-chair the India-Peru Business Forum. Discussions will focus on boosting trade ties and exploring collaboration in mining and critical minerals to strengthen India's resource security and global supply chain integration. - PTI

The Trump administration's tariff policy aims to revive U.S. manufacturing, which has seen jobs fall from 19.6 million in 1979 to 12.8 million in 2025. Supporters like Drew Greenblatt, who employs 115 workers, believe tariffs will create parity and more American jobs. Apparel made in the U.S. has dropped from 56% in 1991 to under 4% by 2023. However, small manufacturers like Corry Blanc and Michael Lyons express concern over rising uncertainty, disrupted exports, and inadequate infrastructure. While some hope tariffs will restore domestic industry, others warn of short-term economic strain and strained global trade relationships that may outweigh the benefits. - PTI