15 Apr 2025

The Maharashtra government is exploring the possibility of transforming the 25-acre reclaimed land at the Mulund dumping ground into a golf course. The state's Urban Development Department, at the Chief Minister's directive, has instructed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to conduct a feasibility study. This move is being seen as part of a larger plan to repurpose vast plots of rehabilitated landfill sites into sustainable urban projects. While BMC will remain the landowner, MMRDA has been asked to draft a development plan, and discussions are underway to ensure that the project aligns with environmental and recreational goals.Read more

15 Apr 2025

The Maharashtra government is set to launch the 'Mumbai 1' unified travel card, enabling seamless access to Metro, Monorail, suburban trains, and buses across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the system backend will be ready within a month. Vaishnaw highlighted ongoing railway projects in the state worth INR 1.73 lakh crore, including 238 new AC trains for Mumbai. Additionally, the Gondia-Ballarshah rail line received INR 4,019 crore in funding to improve Vidarbha's connectivity. The state also unveiled the Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train to promote heritage tourism, aligning mobility upgrades with cultural preservation.Read more

15 Apr 2025

Families affected by the construction of the Sewri-Worli elevated connector, specifically those residing in Laxmi Niwas and Haji Noorani buildings at NM Joshi Marg, are set to receive financial compensation rather than resettlement tenements. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has identified 83 families 60 from Laxmi Niwas and 23 from Haji Noorani for displacement due to the infrastructure project. In a recent meeting, the authority proposed monetary compensation ranging from INR 25 lakh to INR 1 crore, depending on the unit's size and location, due to a shortage of available tenements. This approach marks a shift from the conventional resettlement model.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

14 Apr 2025

The Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway has achieved a record-breaking revenue of INR 4,485 crore in FY 2024-25, its highest ever. Passenger services, freight operations, AC local trains, and station-based services such as parking and catering contributed significantly to this growth. With passenger revenue alone exceeding INR 3,782 crore, the performance reflects rising ridership, infrastructure upgrades, and digital ticketing initiatives. The strong financials signal sustained momentum in transport infrastructure efficiency and commercial viability in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.Read more

11 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court dismissed a special leave petition filed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) against a Bombay High Court judgment that permitted increased building heights in a slum rehabilitation project in Chembur, Mumbai. The High Court had directed AAI to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the height clearance after an appellate committee had already approved the plan. AAI argued it would face hardships without reversing the HC verdict, but the apex court refused to interfere. The project involves 30 towers, including rehabilitation and free-sale buildings, developed under a joint venture.Read more

11 Apr 2025

In a push to accelerate slum redevelopment across Maharashtra, the state cabinet approved key amendments to the Maharashtra Slum Area (Reform, Elimination and Rehabilitation) Act, 1971. The revisions shorten the timeline for submitting redevelopment proposals, empower authorities to reassign projects if deadlines are missed, and streamline land leasing for joint ventures in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). New provisions will also address non-participation by slum dwellers and delayed rent payments by developers. These amendments aim to fast-track the state's goal of becoming slum-free while ensuring better enforcement and accountability in rehabilitation schemes.Read more

11 Apr 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recorded its highest-ever capital expenditure of INR 36,900 crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting a 57% surge from the previous year's outlay of INR 23,520 crore. This sharp jump in spending was primarily directed toward big-ticket infrastructure projects like the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), the Mumbai Coastal Road, and hospital redevelopment. Simultaneously, BMC's revenue income rose to a record INR 43,847 crore, backed by strong growth in property tax and development charges. Despite the robust financials, the civic body's fixed deposits saw a slight decline due to planned drawdowns to support its infrastructure commitments.Read more

11 Apr 2025

The Maharashtra Government has agreed to act as guarantor for an INR 10,000 crore loan extended by Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFCL) to fund infrastructure projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). A Government Resolution issued earlier this week confirmed the cabinet’s nod to this financial arrangement for the 2024–25 fiscal. Although a new guarantee is being issued due to the previous financial year closing, it remains subject to further cabinet clearance. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), designated as the principal borrower, is responsible for monthly updates to the finance and urban development departments. Overall, the state has permitted MMRDA to borrow up to INR 60,000 crore, of which guarantees for INR 24,000 crore have already been extended.Read more

10 Apr 2025

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), acting as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for Navi Mumbai, has withdrawn the allotment of 16 plots valued at around INR 2,000 crore. The decision targets developers and buyers who failed to initiate construction despite repeated deadline extensions and official warnings. These land parcels, meant for residential and commercial use, are located in prime nodes like Airoli, Nerul, Belapur, Kharghar, and Dronagiri. With Navi Mumbai's real estate prospects on the rise, CIDCO has indicated that further cancellations may follow, particularly for leased plots lying idle. Developer interest remains strong, as reflected by Godrej Properties Ltd's recent INR 717 crore lease deal for land in Kharghar.Read more

09 Apr 2025

The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety has begun inspecting the 6-km BKC to Acharya Atre Chowk stretch of Mumbai Metro Line 3, marking the final step before commercial launch. This section, with six key stations including Dadar and Worli, is part of the 20-km Phase I corridor from Aarey to Acharya Atre Chowk. Safety checks cover structures, tracks, electrical systems, fire safety, and tunnel ventilation-including a complex tunnel under the Mithi River. Trial runs have been completed, but the launch date is yet to be announced. Once operational, the line will ease road traffic, boost connectivity in central Mumbai, and offer fares ranging from INR 10 to INR 60.Read more