18 Feb 2026

The Government of Odisha is set to roll out a QR-code based system on land ownership documents to strengthen land administration, speed up verification and curb property fraud, officials said in a release. Under the initiative, each land patta or Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code linked to centralized digital land records. By scanning the code with a smartphone, users will be able to instantly access detailed information such as ownership history, parcel location and transaction records, extending beyond the traditional encumbrance certificate window and reducing reliance on paper-based verification. The system developed under the state's land record modernisation programme is expected to enhance transparency, reduce disputes and make property transactions more efficient and secure.Read more

17 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a strategic public-private partnership (PPP) policy to accelerate infrastructure development and attract private investment. The policy introduces a structured approval mechanism, with projects above INR 25 crore requiring clearance from a cabinet sub-committee and smaller projects to be approved at the administrative level. A pooled fund of INR 200 crore has been created to address feasibility gaps in select projects. Dedicated PPP units will be set up across departments to strengthen planning, coordination and execution.Read more

17 Feb 2026

DP World has announced the resignation of its chairman and chief executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem following growing pressure linked to documents associated with Jeffrey Epstein. The move came after major institutional partners paused new investments, citing concerns over the disclosures. Dubai's leadership also reshuffled key roles previously held by Bin Sulayem. DP World appointed Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO. The episode is part of a wider global fallout as prominent figures face scrutiny after the release of Epstein-related files.Read more

17 Feb 2026

The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has imposed a monetary penalty on Bhuvanteza Infra LLP for allegedly selling flats in its Akshaya Nagar Heights project in Hyderabad without valid regulatory approval. The RERA adjudicating officer found that the developer launched and sold units without requisite project registration and failed to comply with statutory provisions under the RERA Act, including proper disclosures. The authority directed Bhuvanteza Infra to refund amounts collected from allottees along with interest, and imposed a penalty on the promoter and its director. RERA observed that the violations not only undermined statutory safeguards for buyers but also ignored repeated regulatory notices. The action underscores heightened enforcement by the regulator against unapproved sales and non-compliance in the residential sector.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Rajiv Gauba of Niti Aayog highlighted that high land costs are a major barrier to affordable housing in India, as land accounts for 50-70% of project costs. He urged policy reforms, including dedicating at least 10% of residential land for affordable housing, raising permissible FARs to 5&6, promoting transit-oriented development, and adopting land pooling. Limited access to formal credit and low investment margins in economically weaker segments further hinder development. Measures like rental housing improvements, credit support, and stamp duty reductions were also recommended to enhance housing availability and market efficiency.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

17 Feb 2026

The Bombay High Court has upheld a deemed conveyance order granted to Corporate Centre Premises Co-operative Society Ltd, reinforcing statutory protections for cooperative societies over competing private contractual claims by developers. The developer, Krishna Developers, had challenged the conveyance on the basis that its contractual rights for future development were being adversely affected. However, the court ruled that the statutory obligations under the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act (MOFA) take precedence over private agreements once construction is complete, all Floor Space Index (FSI) has been utilised and occupancy certificates have been issued. Justice Amit Borkar clarified that private contracts cannot override clear legislative mandates that protect society rights, and that objections related to internal society management should be dealt with under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act. The ruling reinforces the legal framework for resolving longstanding conveyance disputes in Mumbai's real estate sector.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Mizoram's Rajya Sabha member, K-Vanlalvena, has urged the Union government to fast-track three significant road projects, including two connecting remote areas to the Indo-Myanmar border. Highlighting national security and trade potential, he pointed out that Myanmar has already developed better road infrastructure on its side. The MP requested that two routes linking Hnahthial to Saisihchhuah in Lawngtlai district be upgraded to national highways. He also emphasized the need to widen the 21km Aizawl-Sairang corridor into a four-lane highway to manage rising traffic after the Sairang railway station became operational.Read more

17 Feb 2026

The National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco) has urged the government to promote affordable housing and incentivise rental accommodation to accelerate progress towards Housing for All and strengthen real estate growth. Addressing a real estate conference, Naredco President Parveen Jain called for further strengthening and uniform implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) across states. He also stressed easier access to finance for developers and homebuyers, along with single-window clearances and faster project approvals. Naredco Chairman Niranjan Hiranandani highlighted the declining share of affordable housing in overall sales and underscored the need for policy incentives, including tax rationalisation, to promote both affordable and rental housing segments.Read more

17 Feb 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a former director of Lodha Developers into custody over allegations of money laundering and fraudulent transactions that caused a loss exceeding INR 85 crore to the company. The case originated from a police complaint and involves unauthorised land deals, diversion of funds through shell entities, and forged documents. The executive had already been in judicial custody from a previous crime branch case. Investigations are ongoing, with the ED planning to seek remand to uncover further details of fund diversion and potential accomplices.Read more

17 Feb 2026

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has stepped up its property tax recovery efforts by issuing notices to 450 defaulters with outstanding dues of more than INR 1 lakh each, as part of a drive to bridge a significant shortfall in revenue collection for the current financial year. With property tax receipts lagging against the target set by the civic body, officials said the administration is intensifying follow-ups after a period during which staff were deployed on election-related duties. The accumulated gap has prompted divisional teams to focus on both current liabilities and long-pending arrears built up over several years. Sustainable revenue mobilisation has become particularly urgent as NMC prepares to fund its share of infrastructure costs for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with enhanced recovery actions set to continue alongside routine collection measures.Read more