23 Jun 2025

The Maharashtra Urban Development Department has approved four key town planning schemes by PMRDA, covering 520 hectares in Autade-Handewadi, Holkarwadi, and Vadachiwadi. These align with Pune's 82 km ring road plan and follow a land-sharing model where landowners receive 50% of developed plots. Each scheme gets INR 25 crore from the Centre, with PMRDA allocating INR 125 crore. Two other schemes-Maan Mhalunge and Manjari Khurd Kolwadi-remain stalled due to zoning and technical issues. Officials and locals voiced frustration over delays impacting infrastructure and real estate development. Timely clearance is critical to access central funds and drive organised growth across the Pune Metropolitan Region.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has constituted a special committee to digitise and regularly audit its land assets listed on the MCG Asset Management System (MAMS) portal. This move comes amid concerns over inconsistencies and missing records particularly for over 740 plots currently marked 'under verification' out of a total 3,119 properties. The panel, chaired by the chief town planner, includes officials from the planning, revenue, and property tax departments. Weekly reviews, inter-departmental coordination, and timely resolution of documentation gaps have been mandated. The initiative aligns with Haryana's new municipal auction policy to monetise public assets via digital platforms.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has issued a strict order targeting 151 apartments across three societies-Casa Riviera, KPM Terra, and Celestial Dreams-for lacking valid Building Use Certificates (BUCs). These high-rises reportedly violate safety norms and height regulations set by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), with action intensified after a recent aircraft crash in Ahmedabad. Residents have been given just three days to vacate, after which water and drainage services will be cut off. BUCs confirm a building's compliance with safety codes and approved plans, and living without one can pose legal and safety risks. The move underscores SMC's push for stricter urban safety enforcement near airport zones.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Tree Authority has approached the Supreme Court seeking approval to cut 1,134 trees in Film City, Mumbai, to facilitate the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project�a key infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting the Western and Eastern Express Highways and reducing travel time by nearly an hour. Respecting the Court's earlier directive barring tree felling in Aarey without explicit permission, the Authority clarified that the proposed development does not fall within the protected Aarey Milk Colony. The trees are required for constructing twin tunnels over a 6.2-km stretch, particularly for pit excavation and tunnel boring machine operations. A shift in the launching shaft's location to avoid displacing a tribal hamlet has also increased the number of trees to be felled. The Tree Authority has sought permission to remove 95 trees in the first phase and requested the liberty to return for further approvals in the next phase of the project.Read more

23 Jun 2025

A major land scam has been uncovered in Jaipur, where 62-year-old Jagdish Narayan Sharma was arrested for defrauding 151 people by selling illegal plots using forged lease documents. The fraudulent sales took place in an unauthorised colony Parshvanath Enclave Extension in Sanganer under the guise of a legitimate housing society. The matter came to light when an 82-year-old victim reported the scam after realising the land he purchased in 2005 was still occupied by farmers. Sharma is accused of evading arrest for years and using political influence to silence victims. Police confirmed his arrest is part of a wider crackdown on land mafia activity.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Odisha government is undertaking a comprehensive reform to simplify its outdated and overly complex land classification and ownership systems. With more than 7,000 land-use types and nearly 3,000 forms of land ownership rooted in colonial-era laws, the administration is now streamlining these into 27 use categories and a simplified set of ownership types. This initiative aims to bring transparency, legal clarity, and administrative efficiency. Additional reforms, including updated property conversion fees, new urban planning regulations, and legal safeguards for SC/ST land rights, complement this overhaul. The state is also repealing obsolete statutes and responding to recent judicial guidance on land titles.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is preparing to launch a redevelopment initiative across 88 vacant and fenced plots located in localities such as Naini, Jhunsi, Phaphamau, Bamrauli, and Jhalwa. The plan involves constructing multi-storey buildings with commercial shops on the ground and first floors and residential flats above, aiming to boost the city's income while addressing the growing issue of illegal encroachments. Encroached municipal land especially in Kareli, Daraganj, Rasulabad and other densely populated areas is also set to be reclaimed. The civic body will soon present a detailed land inventory for formal approval before initiating construction and legal proceedings.Read more

23 Jun 2025

In a significant step towards formalising housing access for the economically weaker sections, Odisha�s Housing and Urban Development Department has introduced a structured plan to allot affordable homes on priority to urban poor currently staying in transit shelters across Bhubaneswar. The move, detailed under a newly released SOP, outlines eligibility criteria, verification norms, financial contributions, and prioritisation mechanisms, particularly favouring slum dwellers with no pucca homes and individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the broader push under PMAY-Urban 2.0 and dovetails with 43 recently approved housing projects across 42 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), aiming to boost urban inclusivity and housing equity.Read more

23 Jun 2025

The BMC�s first attempt to lease out three prime land parcels�at Malabar Hill, Worli, and near Crawford Market�for long-term revenue has faced setbacks. The Malabar Hill plot was withdrawn after objections from BEST and local residents citing its designation as a public garden. At Crawford Market, Central Railway requested a portion for a skywalk-linked passenger outlet, complicating the full-site tender. Meanwhile, the RBI showed interest in the Worli parcel but didn�t submit a bid. BMC is evaluating the received bids, aiming to raise funds for major projects like the Dahisar�Mira Bhayander coastal road and Mulund�Goregaon tunnel by monetising dormant land.Read more

20 Jun 2025

MahaRERA has directed Godrej Properties to refund the full booking amounts paid by seven buyers in its Chembur-based Godrej RKS project-formerly the Raj Kapoor studio site-without imposing interest or penalties. The regulator found that bookings were made before the project was officially registered, but held that such advances still fall under RERA's jurisdiction as the project remains incomplete and lacks an occupancy certificate. MahaRERA rejected the developer's justification for withholding funds, reinforcing that all pre-registration payments count as part of the total consideration and cannot be unfairly retained.Read more