29 Jul 2025

Nearly 10 years after C&D waste management became mandatory for local bodies, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) still lacks a dedicated plant, an RTI query has revealed. This failure means C&D debris is illegally dumped in low-lying areas, violating environmental rules and affecting air quality. Despite the demolition of numerous illegal buildings and ongoing redevelopment generating significant waste, the VVCMC has only sent a proposal for a plant in Gokhivare for approval. This absence of proper management raises concerns about pollution and highlights the civic body's ongoing struggle to comply with environmental regulations.Read more

29 Jul 2025

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has identified 351 illegal colonies, covering approximately 3,000 acres, and is cautioning residents against investing in these properties. Many of these unauthorized settlements have emerged over the past few decades, with 30 new ones appearing since 2021. Despite regular demolition drives and the development of an AI-enabled detection system, GDA faces challenges, especially with older colonies, as buyers often misunderstand that property registration alone provides legal validity. This issue, exacerbated by middlemen, highlights a persistent legacy problem in urban planning and enforcement across Ghaziabad.Read more

29 Jul 2025

The Delhi High Court has recently sought responses from the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) regarding a petition to ban unauthorized constructions in areas like Jaitpur Extension and Badarpur. The plea, filed by advocates Shiv Shankar and Ajay Kumar Singh Chauhan, argues that these illegal structures pose safety risks, cause accidents, including building collapses, and hinder the regularization of colonies. The petition also claims widespread corruption among officials, stating minimal action has been taken against thousands of unauthorized buildings, a situation that highlights ongoing challenges in urban planning and enforcement.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested six individuals in two major real estate fraud cases in the NCR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Promoters of Universal Buildwell-Raman, Varun, and Vikram Puri-were apprehended for allegedly siphoning over INR 1,000 crore from homebuyers with false project promises. In a separate case, Sandeep Yadav and Arvind Walia of Ramprastha Group were arrested for an INR 1,100 crore fraud involving 2,000+ homebuyers across delayed projects like Ramprastha City. Funds were allegedly diverted instead of being used for construction. The ED has also attached assets worth INR 681.54 crore and continues its crackdown on real estate-linked financial crimes.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Odisha High Court has nullified several land deals in Baniapat Khuntapada and Keonjhar, citing illegal exclusion of rightful heirs and serious procedural lapses. Justice S. K. Panigrahi ruled the 2011-2014 transactions-conducted by two brothers without their sisters' consent-as a "carefully engineered arrangement" to deny joint inheritors. The Keonjhar collector has been ordered to investigate and take disciplinary action against involved revenue officials. The NHAI must halt compensation payouts and recover any disbursed funds tied to the now-invalid land deals. The court also flagged suspicious transactions involving a BPL cardholder, reinforcing its stance against land fraud and official misconduct.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) has successfully recovered a total of INR 1,410 crore for homebuyers, acting on 5,700 recovery certificates. A significant portion of this, INR 861 crore, was recovered between August 2023 and July 15, 2025. This achievement is attributed to increased pressure on defaulting builders and monthly reviews with District Magistrates. Beyond direct recoveries, UP-RERA has also facilitated mutual settlements worth INR 500 crore and resolved claims amounting to INR 3,320 crore through conciliation, collectively discharging or settling claims from over 15,000 allottee-complainants and enhancing confidence in the real estate sector.Read more

28 Jul 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis recently conducted multiple high-level meetings in New Delhi with key Union ministers and NITI Aayog officials, pressing for central approvals and financial backing for a series of ambitious infrastructure, health, and rural development projects. The state has proposed funding requests exceeding USD 3.5 billion through global institutions for cement road construction, coastal erosion prevention, and wastewater treatment. Additionally, discussions covered a proposed INR 10,000 crore fertiliser plant in Nagpur and a USD 2.6 billion cement road project with ADB assistance, among other sustainability-linked initiatives.Read more

28 Jul 2025

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertook a demolition drive in Ghansoli after unauthorised RCC construction continued despite prior notice. The action was initiated under the guidance of the Municipal Commissioner and senior civic officials, targeting illegal work on a ground-floor column and a progressing first-floor slab by a local developer. The civic team, supported by police personnel, deployed labourers and breakers to remove the structure. The NMMC confirmed that similar encroachments would face intensified enforcement going forward.Read more

27 Jul 2025

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced plans to reintroduce the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS) and Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) in response to the rising number of unauthorised constructions across the state. A recent assessment revealed over 35,000 buildings that have never been taxed and more than 25,000 illegal layouts. These schemes, originally implemented during the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, aim to legalize unapproved constructions and bring them under municipal regulation. However, before implementation, the state must obtain approval from the Cabinet and clearance from the High Court, which had earlier raised concerns that such schemes could encourage future violations.Read more

27 Jul 2025

Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department launched a streamlined initiative to accelerate implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. Following a high-level review chaired by the Chief Secretary, key departments including Revenue & Disaster Management, Town Planning, General Administration, and ORERA have been instructed to report on progress. Priorities include developing digital tools, integrating land-record portals, deploying enforcement squads, and filling vacant operations roles. These targeted measures build on reforms introduced earlier in July aimed at strengthening monitoring, improving inter-departmental coordination, and protecting homebuyers from illegal developments.Read more