05 Aug 2025

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has initiated the revival of a long-stalled development project through a land pooling strategy aimed at resolving compensation-related disputes. Located near Chandigarh Road, the project had been inactive for nearly two decades due to land acquisition hurdles. The scheme, recently approved by the state government, seeks to balance landowner and authority interests by offering a portion of developed land in return for voluntarily pooled plots. The move is expected to unlock significant development potential in the region.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) carried out a demolition drive in Airoli under the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. Despite having served prior notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the individuals involved failed to remove unauthorised structures on their own. As a result, the encroachments at two sites in Sector 4, Airoli were forcibly cleared, and a penalty of INR 50,000 was levied on each offender. The drive was executed with support from the encroachment department, local police, and demolition personnel.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The government of Arunachal Pradesh introduced a fully digital building permit platform earlier this week, marking a major reform in its urban governance strategy. The Online Building Permission System (OBPS) is now mandatory for all construction-related approvals, aiming to boost transparency, minimise delays, and simplify the application process. Officials stated that architects and other professionals must register on the portal, with the platform to be gradually handed over to district-level authorities. The system has been developed with central-state coordination and technical support from NIC Shillong and E-Government Foundation.Read more

04 Aug 2025

Last week the Lucknow Development Authority announced that it intends to offer over one hundred long-vacant shops for direct purchase on a first-come-first-served basis, following repeated unsuccessful auctions due to high reserve prices and poor condition of properties. The authority also proposes converting more than forty unutilised public-facility plots into residential and commercial use. This initiative forms part of a broader budget proposal designed to boost revenue and support major infrastructure and housing developments.Read more

04 Aug 2025

In a recent development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to impose a stay on the land allotment made to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Visakhapatnam, despite a public interest litigation challenging the decision. The petitioner alleged undervaluation and procedural lapses, but the court observed that such incentives were common practice to attract early-stage investment. The government clarified that the land was being leased and not sold, with the court allowing the process to continue pending final adjudication.Read more

04 Aug 2025

Haryana's Chief Minister has unveiled a major welfare push: one lakh Antyodaya families will receive 100 sq yd plots with ownership documents, and hospitals in ten districts are set to begin offering private-grade treatment at subsidised prices. Fuel subsidy, farmer support, water and health infrastructure, and youth employment drive are also featured. This builds on earlier pledges and reveals a broader vision beyond just land allotment. The initiative marks a tangible shift in how welfare benefits reach rural underprivileged communities.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has allowed a petitioner challenging Haryana's stilt-plus-four floors (S+4) construction policy to seek interim relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It also granted liberty to request an earlier date for hearing expected to be advanced from October to sometime in August. The petition questions the state's decision to revive the S+4 building permissions despite previous concerns over infrastructure stress. With policy opponents raising legal and environmental red flags, the upcoming High Court proceedings are likely to significantly impact urban planning in Gurgaon and other cities.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The Allahabad High Court has ruled in favour of Empire-E-Parks by ordering a complete waiver of interest, penalties, and other charges for the period during which the developer could not take possession of the allotted plot due to delays caused by the Greater Noida Authority. Despite paying over INR 17.6 crore towards premiums, lease rent, and stamp duty, the company faced encroachments and lack of infrastructure for years. The court held that once the state admits delay on its part, it cannot limit the zero-period benefit. This decision aligns with earlier rulings and is likely to influence several similar disputes across Noida and Greater Noida.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The National Green Tribunal recently pushed back on Noida and Greater Noida authorities for failing to produce a current, detailed account of unauthorised building activity in the region. It demanded, within three weeks, a new affidavit identifying specific builders, projects and sites citing developments like Pristine Greens, Krishna Elite Homes, Trinity High Street and others built on agricultural or non-designated land without environmental clearance. Earlier submissions were dismissed as outdated and vague. Violations span dozens of villages and include misuse of services to legitimize illegal development. A comprehensive committee may be appointed to evaluate the situation at the tribunal's direction.Read more

04 Aug 2025

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has deposited INR 560.21 crore with the Bombay High Court registry. This payment is part of an arbitration settlement in favor of Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), a joint venture involving Anil Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure. The deposit follows a Supreme Court directive that allowed MMRDA to pay 50% of the total INR 1,169 crore award, while the dispute continues. The case stems from cost escalations of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar metro line, highlighting ongoing challenges in large infrastructure public-private partnerships.Read more