20 Mar 2026

A developer has been arrested in Nashik in connection with alleged violations of the mandatory Economically Weaker Section (EWS) housing quota across 49 residential projects. The action follows a police investigation into complaints that builders and landowners collectively bypassed the requirement to reserve 20% of project land for EWS housing in developments exceeding 4,000 sq m. Authorities have named around 197 individuals, including developers and landlords, in the case. Investigators have alleged that forged documents were used to fragment land parcels and evade regulatory thresholds. The case, registered earlier this month at Sarkarwada police station, stems from findings of a district-level inquiry into compliance with Maharashtra's housing policies of 2013 and 2017.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

20 Mar 2026

Residents and civic groups in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have urged the Maharashtra government to introduce a property tax waiver similar to Mumbai's exemption for smaller residential units. A memorandum submitted in the past week proposes extending tax relief to homes up to 1,000 sq ft, compared to Mumbai's exemption threshold of 700 sq ft. The demand has been led by local citizen groups citing parity across cities governed under similar administrative frameworks. However, municipal officials have raised concerns over the financial viability of such a move, noting that the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) collected about INR 157.7 crore in property tax in FY2024-25, significantly lower than Mumbai's civic revenues. The proposal highlights growing pressure on smaller urban local bodies to balance fiscal sustainability with citizen demands for tax relief.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

20 Mar 2026

Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has closed a cheating case involving approximately INR 67.5 crore against Kamala Mills owner and developer Ramesh Govani, following a detailed investigation into a redevelopment dispute. The closure, reported in the past week, comes after the agency filed a B summary report before a metropolitan magistrate court, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegations. The complaint related to a land redevelopment agreement under which compensation of INR 20 crore along with residential and commercial units had reportedly been promised but not delivered. Investigators found that the agreement between the parties had been mutually cancelled in 2017, a fact not disclosed in the original complaint, leading authorities to conclude that criminal intent could not be established.Read more

20 Mar 2026

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the INR 33,660 crore Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. The scheme, announced by Ashwini Vaishnaw, is expected to generate around 15 lakh direct jobs and will run from FY27 to 2031-32. It focuses on pre-built industrial ecosystems with core and value-added infrastructure, external connectivity support, and state-private partnerships. The initiative aims to strengthen manufacturing, attract investment, and improve ease of doing business.Read more

Gurugram News Desk

20 Mar 2026

The Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) has ordered a Gurugram-based developer to pay compensation exceeding INR 21 lakh to a homebuyer for delay in handing over possession of a residential unit in Sector 37D. The order, issued in the past week, followed a complaint filed by a buyer who had booked the flat in 2008 with a promised possession timeline of 2012. Despite substantial payments, the unit was not delivered, leading to earlier refund proceedings. HRERA clarified that receipt of a refund does not preclude additional compensation claims. The awarded amount includes INR 18.9 lakh for loss of property value appreciation, INR 2 lakh for mental harassment, and INR 50,000 towards litigation costs, along with applicable interest until realisation.Read more

20 Mar 2026

The Union government has approved the final location survey for doubling the Palakkad Pollachi Podanur railway line, a key link between Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. The project aims to reduce congestion, increase train frequency, and improve freight movement along the busy corridor. The current single track passes through forest areas, leading to wildlife risks and speed restrictions. The new alignment through Pollachi is expected to minimize these risks, and new stations at Kovilpalayam and Chettipalayam may be added. The survey paves the way for detailed planning and administrative approvals.Read more

20 Mar 2026

SpiceJet has approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to submit an immovable property as security instead of depositing INR 144 crore in its ongoing arbitration dispute with Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways. The airline cited liquidity challenges due to operational disruptions, including reduced Gulf operations. However, the court rejected the proposal and granted a final four-week extension to deposit the amount. The case stems from a long-standing 2015 share transfer dispute, and continues to impact SpiceJet's financial position and legal obligations.Read more

Hyderabad News Desk

20 Mar 2026

A fraud case has been registered against Bharathi Builders and its directors in Hyderabad following allegations of cheating investors through a pre-launch real estate scheme. The complaint, filed in the past week with the Central Crime Station (CCS), involves investments of around INR 87 lakh in a proposed gated community project in Bhanur, Sangareddy district. The accused allegedly promised investors returns including doubling of principal within a fixed period and allocation of residential units, but failed to deliver on commitments. Investigations revealed that the project did not progress and the underlying land had been transferred to other parties. The case adds to a series of regulatory and legal actions against the developer linked to unauthorised pre-launch sales and investor grievances in the Hyderabad market.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

20 Mar 2026

Residents of the seven Bombay Improvement Trust (BIT) chawls near Sandhurst Road in Mumbai have called for redevelopment similar to the ongoing Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) projects. Though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Central Railway (CR) label these buildings as old and potentially unsafe, residents argue they remain structurally sound. They want funds earmarked for redevelopment to be used to upgrade their homes to 500 sq ft units like BDD chawls. The debate highlights safety concerns, questions about rehabilitation policy, and the need for better use of public funds for historic housing clusters.Read more

20 Mar 2026

Haryana's revenue and disaster management department has introduced Bhu Mitra, a WhatsApp chatbot providing 24/7 access to land and revenue services in Hindi and English. The tool allows citizens to request Jamabandi copies, Mutation records, compensation registrations, and deed registrations, as well as generate deed tokens, request land demarcation, lodge complaints, and track status in real time. Citizens can use it by saving a dedicated WhatsApp number. SMS updates for deed registration will also soon be available. The initiative aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and convenience, reducing physical visits and bureaucratic delays.Read more