12 May 2026

The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued show-cause notices to two residential projects along Gurugram’s Dwarka Expressway after inspections found alleged discharge of untreated sewage into nearby drains. The action was part of a larger compliance drive covering multiple high-rise housing societies to check whether sewage treatment plants (STPs) were operating as per environmental norms. Water samples have been collected for laboratory testing, while authorities have warned of strict action against projects violating pollution rules. The inspections come amid increasing concerns over sewage management, rapid urban expansion, and pressure on Gurugram’s drainage infrastructure.Read more

12 May 2026

Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex earlier this week and directed officials to complete Phase 1 of the project by July 2026. During the review meeting, the Union minister instructed project teams to accelerate ongoing construction works and ensure timely completion of key interior and structural components, including mural installations, ceiling fabrication, flooring and exhibition panels. The minister also reviewed maritime conditions in the Gulf region and instructed officials to take necessary measures for the safe movement of India-bound vessels. The Lothal project is being developed as a major cultural and tourism infrastructure initiative focused on India’s maritime history and heritage.Read more

11 May 2026

The central government has introduced revised National Building Construction Standards, replacing the earlier National Building Code framework. The changes shift key provisions, including fire and life safety, from mandatory compliance to an advisory approach. It also increases the height threshold for stricter fire norms from 15 metres to 24 metres. The move is aimed at simplifying approvals and reducing regulatory burden, but has raised concerns among experts about enforcement gaps and safety risks, especially in densely populated urban areas where compliance has historically been uneven.Read more

11 May 2026

Global capability centres (GCCs) are undergoing a structural shift from back-office functions to strategic roles, with the emergence of “policy-tech GCCs” that integrate regulatory intelligence with technology development. These centres are gaining importance as businesses face increasingly complex compliance requirements across data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and financial systems. India is positioning itself as a key hub for such centres, supported by a multidisciplinary talent base and a supportive policy environment. The shift reflects how governance and compliance are becoming embedded within core technology systems rather than treated as separate functions.Read more

11 May 2026

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued eviction notices to families living in the Yamuna Bazar area near Nigam Bodh Ghat, directing them to vacate the floodplain settlement within 15 days or face demolition action. Authorities said around 310 structures have been identified as encroachments on the Yamuna floodplains, where construction is prohibited due to environmental and flood risks. Residents have opposed the move, saying many families have lived there for decades and depend on nearby jobs for survival. They have demanded proper rehabilitation and alternative housing before any demolition is carried out.Read more

11 May 2026

Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) is expected to approve more than 400 new real estate projects during 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of the property market beyond established centres such as Noida and Lucknow. Improved infrastructure, expressway development and the upcoming Jewar airport have accelerated residential and mixed-use activity across multiple Tier II and Tier III cities in the state. UP-RERA Chairman Sanjay R Bhoosreddy stated that project registrations have steadily increased over the past three years, while industry leaders at a FICCI real estate summit highlighted growing investor confidence, rising housing demand and the increasing importance of transparency and digital integration across the real estate lifecycle.Read more

11 May 2026

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed its fifth chargesheet in the ongoing builder-banker nexus investigation, this time against CHD Developers Ltd and its directors over alleged fraud linked to a housing project in Gurugram. The agency alleged that homebuyers and investors were misled through false assurances and deceptive representations, causing financial losses to buyers. The case is part of a wider Supreme Court-monitored investigation into alleged collusion between builders and financial institutions in projects across India. The CBI is currently probing around 50 such cases involving stalled projects, diversion of funds and irregular loan disbursals.Read more

11 May 2026

The Bombay High Court has heard a writ petition filed by Techno Freshworld LLP challenging a stop-work notice issued by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) in connection with a redevelopment project at Adarsh Nagar, Worli, Mumbai. The dispute centres on whether a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Navy was mandatory for the redevelopment, which includes a rehabilitation building for 72 families and a sale component. MHADA halted construction and withheld the Occupation Certificate after the Navy objected to the project’s proximity to INS Trata. The developer argued that the project had received multiple approvals between 2022 and 2025 and fell outside the 50-metre restriction introduced under a 2022 Ministry of Defence circular. The Navy contended that the project was within 500 metres of the defence establishment and raised national security concerns linked to high-rise construction near operational naval facilities.Read more

11 May 2026

Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed state departments to make construction of service roads mandatory in cases where railway or infrastructure projects disrupt access routes to agricultural land. The decision was taken during a review meeting at Mantralaya earlier this week concerning issues faced by farmers in Dhule district affected by the Manmad–Indore railway project. The state government stated that executing agencies would be required to restore disrupted farm access as part of project implementation. The minister also instructed authorities to provide affected landowners a final opportunity to submit claims related to land acquisition within 15 days. The proposed measure is intended to address long-standing access concerns arising from transport and utility infrastructure projects crossing agricultural areas.Read more

11 May 2026

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against AVJ Developers (India) Pvt Ltd, associated companies, bank officials and alleged proxy homebuyers in connection with a large-scale homebuyer fraud and banking irregularities case. The agency stated that the investigation uncovered an alleged builder-bank nexus involving fraudulent representations, misuse of housing loans and diversion of funds, resulting in financial losses to homebuyers and lending institutions. Officials from Bank of India, UCO Bank and ICICI Bank have also been named in the chargesheet. The case relates to housing projects in Greater Noida and forms part of wider investigations into alleged irregularities in the residential real estate sector.Read more