01 Jan 2025

A 48-year-old doctor in Thane has reportedly been defrauded of INR 70 lakh by three individuals in a property scam. The trio allegedly sold the doctor a flat in Navi Mumbai's Kalamboli area that had already been sold to another party. Despite receiving the payment, they failed to hand over possession of the flat or return the money. The victim filed a complaint earlier this week, leading to the registration of a case against the accused under charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust.Read more

01 Jan 2025

Mumbai is preparing to open its first elevated forest walkway by New Year, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) overseeing the project. The 482-metre trail, situated on Malabar Hill, offers stunning views of the city and Girgaon Chowpatty. Despite challenges like protecting trees, difficult terrain, and limited working hours, over 90 per cent of the construction has been completed. The walkway, designed to minimise disruption to the environment, has been built with minimal concrete and includes special measures to protect British-era pipelines beneath it. The final phase is expected to be completed by the end of January.Read more

01 Jan 2025

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive has halted nearly 200 real estate projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, mandating central oversight for developments exceeding 20,000 sq. m. within a 5-km radius of eco-sensitive zones. Key areas affected include Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Flamingo bird sanctuaries, and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The transition from state to central environmental clearance has caused delays, increasing costs and uncertainty for developers. CREDAI-MCHI and other stakeholders have petitioned the Supreme Court for interim relief. While the directive highlights environmental priorities, better administrative coordination is crucial to balance sustainability with urban development.Read more

01 Jan 2025

Lenders to Mumbai Metro One, which operates the Versova-Ghatkopar line, are nearing an agreement to sell their outstanding debt to the National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL), a government-backed bad loan aggregator. NARCL has proposed an offer of INR 1,063 crore to acquire Mumbai Metro One's INR 1,226 crore debt. This offer, which includes 15% in cash and the rest as security receipts, triggered a Swiss challenge auction but has yet to be finalised. The deal excludes foreign currency loans raised by Mumbai Metro One. Meanwhile, the government-backed bad bank is also considering restructuring the debt.Read more

31 Dec 2024

Jagdish Naresh Master, a renowned stock market trader, has purchased a 7,139 sq. ft. apartment on the 60th floor of Oberoi Three Sixty West, Worli, for INR 106 crore, at INR 1.50 lakh per sq. ft. His wife, Urjita Master, acquired a flat on the 59th floor for INR 105 crore last month, showcasing their preference for luxury real estate. Jagdish paid INR 3.97 crore in stamp duty, adhering to differential stamp duty norms. These high-value transactions highlight Mumbai's thriving luxury real estate market, driven by demand for premium homes in prime locations, reinforcing the city's position as India's top property investment hub.Read more

30 Dec 2024

Private equity (PE) investments in Indian real estate reached USD 4.2 billion in 2024, a 32% rise from the previous year, driven by warehousing and residential sectors. Warehousing led with USD 1.9 billion (45% of total), a 136% increase, fueled by e-commerce growth. Residential investments doubled to USD 1.2 billion, showing a 104% rise due to recovering housing demand. Mumbai attracted 50% of PE inflows, with USD 2 billion largely in warehousing. The UAE emerged as the top foreign investor, contributing USD 1.7 billion. Despite a 38% drop in office sector investments, the market shows strong potential across key segments and regions.Read more

27 Dec 2024

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) has penalized two auditors, Chetan Desai and Rakesh Rathi of Haribhakti & Co LLP, for professional misconduct during the audit of DB Realty (now Valor Estate Ltd) for FY 2015-16. Desai was fined INR 5 lakh and banned for five years, while Rathi received a INR 3 lakh fine and a three-year ban. The NFRA uncovered lapses, including failure to scrutinize INR 3,894.43 crore in guarantees and inadequate review of loans worth INR 1,326.92 crore, mostly to related parties. This action underscores NFRA's commitment to enhancing accountability in financial reporting and upholding auditing standards in India.Read more

27 Dec 2024

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced stringent guidelines to combat air pollution in Mumbai, targeting emissions from construction activities and road dust. Key measures include banning wood as cooking fuel, prohibiting bonfires at construction sites, and deploying vigilance teams to enforce compliance. The Solid Waste Management Department will oversee dust control at construction sites, while engineers and supervisors are mandated to adhere to strict protocols. Building on earlier initiatives, the BMC�s action plan emphasises public awareness and collaboration to address urban pollution. These efforts aim to create a cleaner, sustainable environment, balancing the city�s development with public health priorities.Read more

27 Dec 2024

Three leading developers—Prestige Group, RC Group, and Valor Estate—are set to redevelop 19 housing societies in Mumbai’s Bandra area, with a Gross Development Value (GDV) of INR 7,000 crore. Prestige Group will lead design, financing, and construction, while RC Group and Valor Estate focus on regulatory approvals and stakeholder coordination. Construction begins in Q1 2025, targeting completion by 2029. Despite the absence of a cluster redevelopment policy, the project highlights Mumbai’s push to address aging infrastructure. Experts see this as a model for transforming MHADA colonies, unlocking significant redevelopment potential in the city.Read more

26 Dec 2024

The Bombay High Court dismissed a plea challenging the Adani Group's tender for the INR 23,000 crore Dharavi Redevelopment Project, clearing the way for one of India's largest urban renewal initiatives. The project, in partnership with the Maharashtra government, promises sustainable living for over one million Dharavi residents, offering new flats with improved amenities and in-situ rehabilitation for eligible tenants. Despite controversies, the project adheres to government resolutions and ESG standards.Read more

26 Dec 2024

In a notable step towards expediting Mumbai's infrastructural advancements, the MMRDA, led by Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, collaborated with traffic authorities to secure 17 pending permissions for nine major projects. Key approvals include permissions for Metro Lines 2B, 6, 7A, and 9, the Sewri-Worli Connector, the Missing Link Flyover, and more. These permissions, facilitated by a strategic meeting with Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Kumbhare, mark a significant milestone for seamless project execution. The approvals will help realise the vision of #MumbaiInMinutes, enhancing the city's public transport and connectivity.Read more

26 Dec 2024

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has opened a new 180-metre signal-free road linking the SEBI Building to Avenue-5, significantly improving traffic flow in the bustling Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). Completed in just 3.5 months, the project reduces congestion at key junctions and provides seamless connectivity for commuters from the Eastern Express Highway (EEH). The road's initial three lanes are now operational, with the remaining three set to open soon. This development underscores MMRDA's commitment to enhancing urban mobility and supporting BKC's status as a global business hub.Read more

25 Dec 2024

Indian film producer and entrepreneur Madhu Mantena has recently expanded his business portfolio by acquiring three luxury apartments in Juhu, Mumbai, valued at INR 25.75 crore. Located within the prestigious Jeevan Estates co-operative housing society, these properties were registered under Mantena's company, Big Bang Mediaverse Private Limited. The largest of the three apartments spans 1,550 sq ft, purchased for INR 10.95 crore, while the other two cover areas of 1,250 sq ft and 851 sq ft, valued at INR 8.8 crore and INR 6 crore, respectively. The transactions were completed in December 2024, with each property incurring registration charges of INR 30,000.Read more

25 Dec 2024

Bollywood actor and television host Manish Paul has rented out his office space in Andheri West, Mumbai, for INR 2 lakhs per month. He purchased the property in September 2023 for INR 2.25 crore. Located within Morya Grand, a commercial project developed by Nakta Investment Pvt Ltd, the office space spans 1,200 sq ft. The lease agreement, registered in December 2024, involves an INR 8 lakh security deposit and a tiered rental structure, with the rent increasing after the first year. Known for hosting shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Indian Idol, Manish Paul's real estate move reflects the growing trend of celebrities investing in property, similar to the ventures of Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, and Akshay Kumar.Read more

25 Dec 2024

Excavation for a commercial building in Sector 15, CBD-Belapur caused a road cave-in near Mangal Tower, a residential high-rise, triggering panic and temporary evacuations. Although Mangal Tower's structure was unaffected, residents sought safety measures. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) declared the building safe after inspection but requested a detailed technical assessment by Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). Legal action will follow based on the findings. The incident underscores the importance of adhering to construction safety norms and holding developers accountable to ensure urban safety and compliance, particularly in rapidly developing areas like CBD-Belapur.Read more