01 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court recently granted in-principle clearance to cut 95 trees in Film City for Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) tunnel project. This east-west connectivity initiative, crucial for easing Mumbai traffic, received the nod with a key condition: no trees are to be cut without court approval of a compensatory afforestation plan. The Court also requested a report from experts who approved the project's alignment, questioning whether alternative solutions were considered. While emphasizing environmental protection, the bench stressed the need for sustainable development and essential infrastructure, citing the positive impact of existing projects like the Coastal Road and Atal Setu on Mumbai's traffic.Read more

01 Aug 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently opened bids for the redevelopment of 64 slum plots on its land, receiving 86 responses. However, only 22 plots across seven wards attracted bidders, while 26 schemes found no takers and 17 were kept on hold due to technical reasons. This initiative, under Regulation 33(10) of DCPR-2034, allows for redevelopment without the consent of slum dwellers on BMC-owned land. The civic body aims to develop around 400,000 square meters of land and will remain the planning authority, with further bid openings scheduled for early August.Read more

31 Jul 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recently undertook a demolition drive in the Koparkhairane area after repeated notices to the concerned party were disregarded. The action was carried out under the guidance of senior officials, including the municipal commissioner, following non-compliance with a prior notice issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The unauthorised structure was razed for the third time, with a fully-equipped civic team and police presence ensuring smooth execution.Read more

31 Jul 2025

The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order temporarily stopping a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme on over 3.5 acres of land designated for Mumbai University. The university claims the land, acquired for academic purposes between 1967 and 1974, was improperly recorded, leading to encroachment and its notification as a slum without the university's knowledge. Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor expressed concern over public land being used for slum redevelopment due to the government's failure to prevent encroachment. The court adjourned the matter to August 11, seeking replies from all parties involved, to clarify whether SRA can approve such a scheme on land meant for a public institution.Read more

31 Jul 2025

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) plans to introduce stricter rules to combat illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Soon, building owners in Hyderabad will need to submit a C&D waste disposal certificate to get occupancy certificates (OCs). This move aims to reduce illegal dumping on roads and in water bodies, which is a major environmental issue. The proposed rules will require property owners to use approved C&D waste collection agencies and keep disposal records. Penalties for improper disposal will also increase, ensuring proper waste management in the city and impacting those who do not comply with the new norms.Read more

31 Jul 2025

The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has launched an awareness campaign for its new Building Construction and Development Bylaws-2025 and Model Zoning Regulation-2025. The initiative aims to simplify construction processes, promote green buildings, and encourage vertical growth within the city. Through workshops and events, VDA is educating builders and property owners about key provisions, including simplified registration, set time limits for NOCs, and increased Floor Area Ratio.Read more

30 Jul 2025

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has initiated stricter monitoring of construction material dumping on city roadsides to combat waterlogging. Developers of under-construction buildings are now required to store materials immediately on the ground floor once built, facing stop-work notices for non-compliance. This directive follows complaints of inundation caused by debris, which is often illegally dumped in drains and vacant plots. The move aligns with existing rules mandating proper waste disposal and comes as a similar redressal system for construction and demolition waste is being developed in New Town to enhance urban cleanliness and prevent blockages.Read more

30 Jul 2025

The Bombay High Court recently dismissed a review petition filed by the Motilal Nagar Vikas Samiti, thereby clearing the way for the substantial redevelopment of 141 acres of MHADA land in Goregaon West, Mumbai. Adani Realty has been appointed as the Consultant and Development Agency for this project, estimated to cost INR 21,000 crore. The court reaffirmed MHADA's right as the landowner to appoint private developers through competitive bidding. This decision, which follows earlier legal actions over illegal constructions, allows the large-scale housing redevelopment to proceed, with the developer covering costs for transit, rehabilitation, and related amenities for eligible residents.Read more

30 Jul 2025

The Bombay High Court has ordered a probe into 935 redevelopment notices issued by MHADA's Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), questioning their legitimacy. The court found that these notices-labeling cessed buildings as dangerous-were based only on visual inspections, without structural assessments. A two-member committee led by retired judges will investigate whether officials acted arbitrarily or with improper motives. The court criticized MHADA's reliance on a December 2024 SOP that allegedly exceeded legal authority. This ruling reinforces property rights and curbs misuse of Section 79A of MHADA guidelines. The case will be reviewed on August 12, with a report due in six months.Read more

30 Jul 2025

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has introduced new rules for transporting construction materials in Yeoor Hills, an environmentally sensitive zone. Under these regulations, a construction permit from TMC's Urban Development Department is now mandatory, and authorized builders must register project details and vehicle information with the forest department. This move aims to curb unauthorized constructions and protect the ecological balance of the hills. The TMC is also taking action against illegal turf and commercial constructions, and has issued notices for noise and firecracker violations, reflecting a broader effort to preserve the sensitive environment of Yeoor Hills.Read more