23 Feb 2026

Authorities have decided to introduce additional median openings at intervals of 2 to 2.5 km along the 14-km Bhor Ghat section of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway after a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Khandala area earlier this week. The accident led to traffic disruption for over 32 hours. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and highway police have also proposed widening existing openings and appointing technical experts to manage hazardous material emergencies more efficiently.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The Karnataka High Court has directed civic authorities to conduct physical inspections of paying guest accommodations in Bengaluru to verify compliance with licensing, safety and hygiene norms. The order came while hearing petitions filed by PG operators challenging notices issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike under the BBMP Act, 2020. The court noted that compliance claims need on-ground verification and asked officials to inspect each property for adherence to building approvals, zoning rules and trade licence conditions. The inspection findings will guide further judicial consideration.Read more

Visakhapatnam News Desk

22 Feb 2026

Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat has sought central government support for a large-scale and planned redevelopment of Ramakrishna Beach, citing long-pending infrastructure and safety concerns. In his representation to the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry, he flagged traffic congestion, limited pedestrian access, weak drainage and damage to existing coastal structures. The proposal calls for a unified master plan covering public amenities, mobility, shoreline protection and parking. The Centre has acknowledged the submission and is expected to examine the proposal further.Read more

22 Feb 2026

The allocation of apartments in the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) housing complex in Kochi is expected to be delayed again as procedural requirements remain incomplete and supporting infrastructure works are yet to be finished. Local civic authorities have indicated that a trial run of the sewage treatment plant at the project site is now scheduled for later next month and that only a fraction of the identified beneficiaries have submitted all required documentation. Of the families on the entitlement list, only those who have completed paperwork and paid their share will be considered for allotment, with contributions and rental income from ground-floor commercial units slated to support ongoing maintenance. Council discussions also touched on other civic issues, including office reconstructions and service charges, as well as concerns over water shortages affecting the city. The developments highlight challenges in moving the multi-year housing scheme towards final beneficiary handover.Read more

22 Feb 2026

Residents of Bhubaneswar's GGP Colony have raised complaints that a developer is encroaching on a common road and parts of the residential complex for a new construction project. Heavy vehicles and unauthorised commercial use of common areas have reduced parking and disrupted daily life. Despite inspection reports and favourable orders from ORERA and an ODA court, residents say authorities have not acted on the ground. Their letters to the state housing department were forwarded to civic agencies, but enforcement remains slow, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring of encroachments in the city.Read more

22 Feb 2026

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has intensified its action against unauthorised constructions by demolishing an illegal commercial shed in the Turbhe division. The operation was conducted under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and supervised by senior civic officials from the Encroachment Department. The structure, erected at Unit No. 3, Plot No. 6, Sector 19C, Turbhe, was reportedly being used for commercial purposes despite the issuance of a statutory notice under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Following non-compliance, the Corporation carried out a demolition drive with police protection and technical equipment. Officials have stated that similar enforcement actions will continue to ensure planned urban development and compliance with municipal regulations.Read more

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