25 Oct 2025

The Bombay High Court has directed district collectors in six Konkan region districts to hand over 10,000 hectares of identified mangrove land to the Maharashtra forest department within two months. The order follows a contempt petition by Mumbai-based NGO Vanshakti, highlighting failure to implement a 2018 directive. The court has also set a detailed timeline for identifying, measuring, and transferring the remaining mangrove land. Previously, around 4,000 hectares had been transferred, but over 10,000 hectares remained pending, with some lands yet to be restored for mangrove cultivation.Read more

25 Oct 2025

The Madras High Court has clarified that sub-registrars are legally empowered to deny registration of plots converted into house sites without prior approval from the concerned planning authority. The court's decision came in response to an appeal challenging a previous order that had directed registration despite the absence of such approval. The ruling establishes that if a land parcel has not been registered earlier as a house site, registration cannot proceed under that category unless the planning authority has explicitly approved the conversion.Read more

25 Oct 2025

The Bombay High Court imposed an INR 50 lakh fine on a businessman for leasing a shop in a redeveloped building on MHADA land in Kurla to Jammu & Kashmir Bank without an occupation certificate (OC). The court emphasized that commercial tenants and landlords must ensure statutory compliance, including fire NOC and OC. Chheda was directed to pay the fine to the PM CARES Fund within two weeks. The court also ordered the enforcement of a previous order to vacate the premises and highlighted lapses in due diligence by the bank.Read more

25 Oct 2025

In a recent regulatory shift, the government of Tamil Nadu eased parking space norms for large residential properties. Homes on plots measuring 3,200 sq ft or more will now require space for four cars and four two-wheelers, compared with stricter provisions under the earlier rule. While developers have welcomed the move for allowing greater usable space, planners have expressed concern about its possible effect on street parking and congestion.Read more

25 Oct 2025

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has obtained approval to cut 320 trees and transplant 386 for a new infrastructure project along the Vikhroli-Ghatkopar stretch. As compensation, 4,175 new trees will be planted in the area, focusing on native and pollution-resistant species. The project also aims to retain 949 existing trees and preserve 127 Pink Trumpet trees. While MMRDA highlights careful planning and scientific transplantation methods, local residents and environmental groups remain concerned about the ecological impact of cutting mature trees and whether compensatory planting can match their environmental benefits.Read more

24 Oct 2025

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has initiated insolvency proceedings against Bhilai Jaypee Cement, a subsidiary of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL), over an outstanding operational debt of INR 45 crore owed to Sidhgiri Holdings Pvt Ltd for coal supplied between September 2021 and June 2022. The tribunal admitted the Section 9 petition, appointed an interim resolution professional, and placed the company under a moratorium. The cement maker had made partial payments, but the supplier moved NCLT after repeated defaults, reflecting ongoing financial stress within JAL and its subsidiaries.Read more

24 Oct 2025

Maharashtra's Charity Commissioner, Amogh Kaloti, has intervened to stop the sale of a 12,000-square-meter property in Pune's Model Colony owned by the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust. The property, which includes a Jain boarding facility and Mahavir Digambar Jain Temple, was set to be sold to Gokhale Constructions for INR 311 crore. Opposition from sections of the Jain community led to the intervention, with the Commissioner ordering a 'status quo' and seeking a detailed report. The trust maintains that all legal processes were followed during the sale.Read more

24 Oct 2025

Pune Municipal Corporation suspended two TDR department officials for permitting illegal construction at a Baner property. The sixth-floor slab was complete, and work on the seventh floor had begun without approval, while the proposal for additional TDR was still under review. This step reflects PMC's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with building rules and prevent misuse of development rights. Earlier, sanitation staff were suspended and other officials transferred. The civic body is actively inspecting properties to detect violations and strengthen regulatory oversight.Read more

23 Oct 2025

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced its plan to deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states covering over 20,000 kilometres of National Highways. The initiative, aimed at improving commuter experience, will involve systematic data collection, processing and analysis of road inventory and pavement conditions. The survey data will be uploaded to NHAI's AI-driven portal for evaluation and maintenance planning, ensuring better highway upkeep and future asset management.Read more

23 Oct 2025

A technical team from the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) recently conducted a detailed inspection at the sites in Maradu, Kochi, where apartment complexes had been demolished following Supreme Court orders. The visit aimed to review compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, assess post-demolition land restoration and evaluate the ecological health of the adjoining water bodies. A comprehensive report will soon be presented to the central and state governments.Read more