05 Mar 2025

The Goa High Court has concluded hearings on writ petitions and PILs challenging Section 17(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, which permits the government to amend the Regional Plan 2021 to rectify zoning errors. Petitioners, including NGOs like Goa Foundation and Goa Bachao Abhiyan, argue that the provision enables arbitrary land-use changes favoring real estate interests over environmental sustainability. The government defends it as a necessary correction mechanism. The court's ruling, expected soon, could set a precedent for urban planning policies in India, balancing development with ecological conservation in Goa's rapidly urbanizing landscape.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The government of Odisha has amended its building regulations to maximize land use and attract industrial investment. The Odisha Town Planning and Improvement Trust Rules, 2021, and the Odisha Development Authorities Rules, 2020, have been amended to make rules simpler by enhancing land efficiency, relaxing setback and parking requirements, and increasing the base FAR. These modifications allow industries, IT companies, and MSMEs to grow more efficiently while removing the requirement for TDR certificates. Projected to cut land wastage by 60 percent, the reforms are in line with the Economic Survey 2024-25 to make Odisha globally attractive as an investment destination for enhanced industrial and economic development.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Bihar, imposed a penalty of INR 50,000 each on seven promoters for advertising their projects without including the mandatory RERA registration number and the Authority's website address. The promoters, who had advertised on various platforms, admitted to the oversight. They have been given 60 days to pay the penalty, failing which further action will be taken under RERA regulations. Similar penalties have been imposed by other RERA's such as Maha RERA and UP RERA, reinforcing the necessity of adhering to RERA guidelines.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has sealed portions of six hotels, including Hotel Friends Regency, Hotel Nagpal Regency, and Hotel Onn, for building violations. This action follows a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive to curb illegal construction. Hotel owners now face legal consequences for deviating from approved building plans. Similar enforcement drives are underway in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, targeting unauthorized structures. As Punjab cities expand, illegal construction remains a challenge. The Punjab government is considering simplified approval processes to balance urban growth with regulatory compliance and safety standards.Read more

05 Mar 2025

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced new pollution control measures, mandating anti-smog guns in high-rise buildings, commercial centers, hotels, and construction sites. The initiative, launched after a high-level meeting with MCD and NDMC officials, includes converting all airport vehicles to green alternatives and introducing 10,000 EVs by 2026. The government is also considering cloud seeding and repurposing landfill sites into green spaces. However, experts warn that addressing emissions from industries, transport, and fossil fuels is essential for lasting improvement. Delhi's air quality crisis remains a pressing challenge requiring multi-pronged action.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government and the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) to either clarify the rights of all parties involved in the unauthorised construction case or present a demolition plan for the structure by the next hearing. The Lucknow bench observed that a building in Husainganj had been constructed well beyond the approved plan, holding landowners, developers, and LDA officials accountable for the violations. The court reviewed a report on Clay Square and surrounding buildings, discovering that approximately nine other structures had also breached regulations. Noting that Clay Square was constructed four times beyond the approved plan, the court decided to impose financial liability on the landowners and developers while taking action against negligent LDA officials.Read more

05 Mar 2025

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has lodged a case against five developers at the Kalyan Taluka Police Station under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act for the unauthorised construction of chawl rooms in Kalyan Taluka. The individuals identified in the case are Kitabullah Sheikh, Baitullah Sheikh, Mukhlish Kabadi, Iftikhar Kabadi, and Zulfiqar Khaliq. Complaints were received regarding illegal constructions in the Manda and Balyani areas, following which KDMC issued notices demanding legal documentation. As the accused failed to present valid land records and permissions, two FIRs were registered against them under the MRTP Act.Read more

04 Mar 2025

The Kerala government has decided to purchase the Elstone Estate in Kalpetta to build homes for families displaced by last year's landslide in Wayanad. Originally planned as part of a larger township, the project was scaled down based on the number of affected families. Each home will cost INR 20 lakh, with land ownership restricted from sale for 12 years. Relief measures, including food coupons and financial aid, continue for affected families. The State Empowered Committee will oversee the project, ensuring long-term housing solutions and improved safety for those living in disaster-prone areas.Read more

04 Mar 2025

NBCC India Ltd., the company in charge of finishing Amrapali housing developments, is struggling to deliver over 25,000 completed units due to homebuyer defaults, registration lapses, and pending permissions. The Supreme Court, which is overseeing the resolution, has identified 1,953 flats sold for non-payment and another 1,490 units released for sale owing to unclaimed possession. Verification difficulties, such as fraudulent claims, impede the procedure. Homebuyers are opposing the NBCC's policy on post-handover upkeep, requiring fire clearance, water, and power connections first. The Supreme Court is now considering issuing a public notice to defaulters to clear their debts before taking any further action.Read more

04 Mar 2025

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated key housing projects and announced financial aid for temples across the state. The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) completed 1,046 flats in Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Tiruchirappalli, costing INR 659.96 crore, alongside 464 government employee quarters worth INR 116.55 crore. The government also allocated INR 27 crore to support temple maintenance, benefiting 490 temples in Kanyakumari, 225 in Pudukkottai, and 88 in Thanjavur. These initiatives address growing urban housing needs while preserving Tamil Nadu's cultural heritage, reinforcing the state's commitment to infrastructure, social welfare, and heritage conservation.Read more