22 Apr 2025

In a key step for India's first bullet train project, Japan will donate two Shinkansen rakes-E5 and E3 series-for test and inspection runs on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. With 48% of the 508-km route completed, the trains are expected to arrive well before the project's August 2026 launch. The E5 model, capable of 320 kmph, will support initial trials between Surat and Bilimora. Japan is also funding a large share of the INR 1.1 lakh crore project through low-interest loans, echoing its longstanding role in India's infrastructure growth, similar to France's early support for the Delhi Metro.Read more

22 Apr 2025

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has successfully launched a 400-metric-ton open web girder over Central Railway's Diva-Vasai corridor for Metro Line 5, connecting Thane, Bhiwandi, and Kalyan. Installed using four cranes and 40 hydraulic jacks, the steel structure bridges a key gap between Mankoli and Durgadi Naka. This engineering feat over high-traffic railway tracks brings the 24-km corridor closer to completion by 2025. Once operational, Metro Line 5 will serve over 2 lakh commuters daily, easing congestion and linking with Metro Lines 4, 12, and suburban rail networks in one of Mumbai's busiest suburban regions.Read more

22 Apr 2025

The Bellasis Bridge, a vital east-west link in South Mumbai, may reopen by December 2025-six months ahead of its original June 2026 deadline. Jointly undertaken by BMC and Western Railway with a INR 114 crore budget, the 360-metre bridge near Mumbai Central is being rebuilt after being declared unsafe and demolished in 2024. The six-lane connector is crucial for traffic between Tardeo and Nagpada. Early tenders and inter-agency coordination enabled the fast-tracked timeline. While the project boosts urban mobility, it faces resistance from local fisherfolk over rehabilitation concerns.Read more

21 Apr 2025

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed increasing the investment limits for mutual funds in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). This move aims to offer more investment options and enhance diversification within mutual fund schemes. SEBI has suggested raising the single issuer limit to 10% of a fund's net asset value (NAV) and increasing the overall exposure limit for equity and hybrid schemes to 20%. However, for debt schemes, the overall limit would remain at 10%. The regulator is seeking public feedback on this proposal until May 11, 2025.Read more

21 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate India Steel 2025 in Mumbai next week. Organised by the Ministry of Steel, this three-day flagship event is expected to host over 12,000 business visitors, 250 exhibitors, and 1,200 conference delegates, representing both domestic and global stakeholders. The exhibition will explore growth opportunities, sustainability goals, and innovation across the steel value chain. Key dignitaries, including Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and foreign delegations, will participate, underscoring the sector's expanding global linkages and India's push towards a 300-million-tonne production capacity by 2030.Read more

21 Apr 2025

To improve last-mile access to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), the Central Railways is reclaiming a 300 - 500 metre stretch between Vidyavihar station and LTT by clearing slums and illegal structures near Tilak Nagar. The move aims to provide seamless pedestrian access to LTT from the Central Line, reducing dependence on congested Kurla and Tilak Nagar stations. Surveys are complete, with coordination underway with BMC and police for demolition and rehabilitation. Passenger groups have welcomed the initiative, citing long-standing demands for better connectivity. Once completed, the link is expected to ease foot traffic and support smoother suburban-to-long-distance transfers in east Mumbai.Read more

21 Apr 2025

Mumbai's Gokhale-Barfiwala connector will open on May 15, offering long-awaited east-west access in Andheri. However, instead of smooth passage, westbound vehicles will confront a sharp 90-degree turn into a narrow lane due to an incomplete link to the under-construction JVPD Flyover. The detour is expected to create bottlenecks during peak hours, drawing criticism from commuters and civic groups. Although the connector finally joins the reconstructed Gokhale Bridge and Barfiwala Flyover after six years, the full relief will only come once the 1.6-km JVPD extension is ready expected no sooner than 2027. Until then, traffic snarls are likely to persist.Read more

Mr. Sanjay Daga, CEO and Managing Director of Anex Advisory

21 Apr 2025

Mumbai, once known as Bombay, is a city of rich cultural heritage and boundless ambition. Over time, rapid urban expansion, population density, and outdated infrastructure have strained its livability. However, brownfield redevelopment projects offer a promising solution. These projects not only improve individual living spaces but enhance local communities, boost economic growth, and create vibrant, sustainable environments. Combined with transformative infrastructure projects like Metro Line 3 and the Coastal Road, brownfield initiatives could help Mumbai navigate its growth challenges, while ensuring the city remains dynamic and inclusive for future generations.Read more

21 Apr 2025

Mulund, traditionally seen as the Gateway of Mumbai's Central Suburbs, is now positioning itself as a strategic real estate hotspot, bridging the city Eastern and Western corridors. Fuelled by major infrastructure projects such as Metro Line 4, Metro Line 5, and the upcoming Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), the locality has witnessed a 42% increase in capital values between 2021 and 2024. With its green landscapes, expanding luxury housing, and growing commercial presence, Mulund is redefining urban living by combining nature, connectivity, and modern amenities attracting both mid-income and premium homebuyers.Read more

21 Apr 2025

Earlier this week, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) carried out a demolition drive in Airoli after repeated notices to the concerned parties went ignored. Under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, and with guidance from Additional Commissioner Dr. Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner for Encroachment Shri Bhagwat Doiphode, the encroachment department took partial demolition action against an unauthorised construction at Sector-3, Airoli. The structure belonged to Anil Popat Patil and had been constructed without obtaining NMMC permissions. The operation was executed as per Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.Read more

21 Apr 2025

MMRDA has launched trial runs on a 5.3-km stretch of Mumbai Metro Line 2B from Mandale to Diamond Garden, covering five stations. This segment is part of the larger 18.5-km corridor connecting DN Nagar to Mandale. The Mandale depot panning 31 acres and built to house 72 trains's is now operational. After internal trials, RDSO and the Independent Safety Assessor will evaluate system readiness. While the full line's launch has been pushed to early 2026, the corridor is expected to significantly ease east-west travel, boost real estate in Kurla and Chembur, and improve overall public transport integration across the city.Read more

18 Apr 2025

CIDCO has demolished over 2,200 illegal structures across Navi Mumbai, Ulwe, Panvel, and Dronagiri in 2025, reclaiming 56 acres valued at INR 2,500 crore. The crackdown includes 547 enforcement actions and the demolition of 90 illegal flats in Kharghar alone. CIDCO has issued 2,100+ notices and warned buyers to verify documents, especially in high-growth areas like NAINA. The recovered land will aid CIDCO's smart city and infrastructure projects, including metro extensions and housing zones. Officials say this move is essential to ensure planned development and curb unauthorized sales that threaten Navi Mumbai's urban future.Read more

16 Apr 2025

Residents of Motilal Nagar in Goregaon have raised demands for larger flats and fairer compensation in the INR 3,600 crore redevelopment project awarded to Adani Properties. While MHADA has proposed 1,333 sq ft for residential and 987 sq ft for commercial units, locals argue this undervalues their share. At a recent meeting, redevelopment experts cited DCPR 2034 rules suggesting eligible families could claim up to 3,500 sq ft. With 143 acres of land at stake, the Motilal Nagar Vikas Samiti plans to negotiate for more transparency and equitable terms before signing any agreements with MHADA and the developer.Read more

16 Apr 2025

Mumbai is set to revamp its construction and demolition (C&D) waste management following the Centre's 2025 rules, effective from April 2026. Key to this shift is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, requiring developers and contractors to register, track waste, and meet recycling targets. With over 8,500 tons of C&D waste generated daily and current recycling capacity limited to 1,200 tons, BMC plans a third plant at Deonar. A new mobile app will track waste movement to curb illegal dumping. These reforms aim to enforce eco-friendly practices, boost recycling, and ensure traceability-marking a crucial step toward sustainable urban development in Mumbai.Read more

15 Apr 2025

In a landmark initiative, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun groundwork to transform a 12-acre prime stretch of land in Worli, previously dotted with slum settlements, into a high-end waterfront enclave. The plan, a first of its kind, involves a collaborative effort with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to amalgamate government and private plots and construct a cluster of luxury skyscrapers. This redevelopment, spanning the scenic coastline off the arterial Coastal Road, has sparked controversy among slum dwellers and activists concerned about displacement. Despite this, the BMC envisions a sustainable and economically viable urban model.Read more