22 Nov 2025

Industry leaders have urged the West Bengal government to implement incentive-based policies for suburbanisation and urban redevelopment, pointing to effective measures in states like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka. Proposals include higher FSI, slum rehabilitation, affordable housing incentives, and senior citizen-focused developments. Kolkata's mayor highlighted the city's high population density and the need for eco-friendly road expansion, improved flyover connectivity, and better drainage and waste management. Both business and government representatives stressed collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable urban growth and infrastructure development that benefits residents and supports economic activity.Read more

22 Nov 2025

Odisha is moving forward with the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant, with the state government forming a high-level committee to address land acquisition challenges affecting around 300 families. SAIL plans to double the plant's capacity from 4.5 MTPA with an investment of over INR 30,000 crore, alongside a INR 9,000 crore modernization effort. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy emphasized state support, rehabilitation measures, and strengthening raw material security, while discussions also focused on establishing a Rourkela Airport to support regional development and future steel growth.Read more

22 Nov 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation conducted a focused anti-encroachment drive in the Turbhe division, removing around 75 unauthorized huts near Sanpadagaon Lake and the STP Plant in Sanpada, Sector 20. The action was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner and senior municipal officials, with support from police, security staff, and labor teams. The operation utilized a JCB and 20 laborers. Officials emphasized that such eviction campaigns will be strengthened going forward to maintain compliance with municipal regulations and prevent unauthorized construction in sensitive areas.Read more

21 Nov 2025

Authorities in Bhubaneswar initiated a large eviction exercise in Salia Sahi, the city's biggest slum cluster, to clear land for a new road aimed at easing traffic along the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan corridor. Over 550 unauthorised houses were marked for demolition, and more than 80 were removed on the first day. Many families raised concerns about limited notice, loss of shelter, and the need for proper rehabilitation. Officials stated that residents were being relocated with financial support, while opposition parties questioned the process and demanded stronger safeguards.Read more

21 Nov 2025

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved a multi-step transaction in the cement sector involving India Resurgence Fund (IndiaRF), Shree Digvijay Cement Company (Digvijay) and Hi-Bond Cement (India) Pvt Ltd (Hi-Bond). IndiaRF will acquire a stake in Digvijay, which in turn will purchase shareholding in Hi-Bond. The two cement companies will also enter a long-term business arrangement. IndiaRF is a SEBI-registered Category II fund managed jointly by Piramal Group and Bain Capital Special Situations. The approval ensures compliance with competition regulations and aims to maintain a fair market environment.Read more

21 Nov 2025

The Orissa High Court has instructed residents of Shantipalli Basti in Bhubaneswar to vacate their homes and move into transit housing so the in-situ slum redevelopment under PMAY-Urban can proceed. The court validated the transfer of land to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and upheld a beneficiary contribution of INR 1.5 lakh per flat. While Phase I (840 flats) is nearing completion, with 462 units allotted, Phase II remains stalled due to resistance and interim orders. The state has arranged transit accommodation, basic amenities, and credit support for economically weaker beneficiaries.Read more

21 Nov 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to ensure that all beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) receive BEE star-rated, energy-efficient appliances through a programme being implemented with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The distribution includes LED bulbs, LED tube lights and BLDC fans covering nearly six lakh households. The initiative is expected to reduce annual power consumption by more than 10 million kWh and lower household expenses. The state has previously partnered with EESL across multiple sectors, strengthening its ongoing shift toward energy-efficient public infrastructure.Read more

21 Nov 2025

The Goa administration has introduced new revenue measures by requiring that village-community landholdings known as comunidades execute conveyance deeds at half the state's minimum land rate and pay stamp duty based on the rate fixed by the Goa Housing Board (GHB). Previously these plots often bypassed formal procedures and state revenue. The reform is part of a wider regulatory overhaul that also includes regularising unauthorised homes on government or comunidade land and opening up comunidade acreage for structured development under competitive bidding.Read more

20 Nov 2025

The Maharashtra government has approved two major urban-planning policies: a concept-based 'iconic city' policy for CIDCO and other agencies, and a large-scale redevelopment plan for older MHADA colonies. Through tenders, developers will build integrated residential townships or commercial districts on agency land under the first policy. Under the second, MHADA colonies of 20 acres or more many built in the 1950s-60s will be rebuilt with modern amenities, better infrastructure, larger homes, and environmental upgrades, overseen by a high-powered committee.Read more

20 Nov 2025

The Maharashtra government has allowed free regularisation of land parcels purchased in violation of the Maharashtra Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act for transactions made between 15 November 1965 and 15 October 2024. The directive removes notes about fragmentation violations from 7/12 land records and ensures rightful buyers are recorded as occupants. The decision, backed by a recent government notification, is expected to help about 6 million landowners, including many in urban, commercial, and peripheral regions. Unregistered transactions can also be legally registered after paying stamp duty and registration fees.Read more