20 Sep 2023

The Bombay High Court has issued a significant directive ordering the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to grant a Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificate to a private builder. This decision was prompted by the builder's land ownership and subsequent surrender for the construction of the Sahar Elevated Ring Road, a crucial project leading to Mumbai's International Airport Terminal 2. The ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Gautam Patel and Kamal Khata, followed an affidavit from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) disclaiming jurisdiction over the road's segment on the builder's land.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The Property Federation Chandigarh has called upon the UT administration to reconsider the Heritage Committee's decision regarding re-densification in Phase-I (Sector 1 to 30) of Chandigarh. During their annual meeting, members requested the administration to reinstate share-wise registries in sectors beyond Sector 30, potentially increasing revenue through stamp duty. They urged the adviser to review the Heritage Committee's verdict and propose amendments to the heritage status of Sectors 1 to 30 to the ministry of home affairs. The meeting also highlighted operational challenges at the Estate Office, prompting plans for a delegation to meet with Chandigarh's finance secretary to address these issues.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is set to launch a housing scheme offering 3,000 premium properties, including penthouses, Super HIG, HIG, MIG, and EWS flats in various locations. These properties, some of which are under construction, will be allocated through a draw of lots. DDA aims to improve sales and has engaged a real estate consultant to suggest strategies. They may also introduce changes like allowing amalgamation of adjoining flats and preferential location charges based on factors like floor and sun-facing. Another scheme offering 23,000 newly-constructed flats, mainly LIGs, is planned for the Narela sub-city in the near future.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The Kerala assembly has passed amendments to the Kerala Land Assignment Act of 1960, paving the way for the regularization of numerous illegal commercial constructions in the ecologically sensitive region of Munnar. The move is in response to the discovery of 226 illegal constructions in eight villages in Munnar, which have been reported to the high court. The Kerala Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill of 2023 introduces a new section, granting the government authority to regularize illegal constructions and land misuse. While it aims to address the issue of unchecked illegal constructions, the decision has generated both support and controversy within Kerala, as it marks a significant shift in land-use policies in the region.Read more

20 Sep 2023

The Delhi High Court has upheld its ban on granting tree felling permissions for residential construction, reiterating its commitment to protect the city's green cover. The court has given the Delhi government two weeks to provide a report on the status of transplanted trees and whether these efforts have been successful. This decision stems from a petition seeking contempt action against officials who continued to grant tree felling permissions despite court orders for transparency in such decisions.Read more

19 Sep 2023

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has announced a lottery for 5,311 affordable homes in satellite towns near Mumbai, including Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts. These homes will range in price from Rs 9 to 49 lakh and will be available in micro-markets near Mumbai such as Vasai, Virar, Titwala, Thane, Kalyan, and Mumbra. The apartments will vary in size from 258 to 667 sq ft carpet area. Over 1,000 homes are being sold under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY), with MHADA expecting increased applications due to revised income criteria. The lottery results will be announced on November 7, 2023.Read more

19 Sep 2023

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) buildings department has adopted a proactive approach to combat deforestation associated with construction projects. They will withhold the issuance of completion certificates (CC) for housing projects or individual buildings if developers or landowners have felled trees without the necessary permissions. The CC is essential for obtaining utilities like water supply and drainage connections. Officials will visit construction sites during the plan submission phase to compare planned tree numbers with actual ones. Developers must secure permissions from the state forest department and the KMC parks department to cut trees. Any unauthorized tree cutting will result in FIRs and withheld CCs.Read more

19 Sep 2023

Haryana's Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, launched the e-Bhoomi portal to streamline land acquisition for government projects. Both farmers and registered aggregators can now list land offers, subject to specific criteria. Parallelly, the No-Litigation Policy-2023 portal has been introduced to resolve historic land disputes in the Manesar Tehsil region. Additionally, the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana portal aims to provide housing to economically vulnerable families. The series of digital initiatives highlight Haryana's drive towards transparency and swift governance.Read more

19 Sep 2023

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has introduced a new requirement for builders constructing more than 25 units in housing complexes. They must now provide bank guarantees, the amounts of which depend on the project's cost, ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. This move is in response to numerous complaints from the public regarding faulty sewage treatment plants (STPs) in housing complexes. If an STP is found to be malfunctioning, the builder will forfeit the bank guarantee, which will be used to repair the STP. However, if the STP functions correctly, the bank guarantee will be returned to the builder, promoting environmental compliance in construction projects.Read more

19 Sep 2023

The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) in Andhra Pradesh is taking significant steps to expand housing options for citizens and reduce the influence of private real estate developers. They plan to auction 415 residential and commercial plots in Guntur and NTR districts. To make these plots more accessible, the CRDA will collect registration and stamp duty for only 60% of the total cost, categorizing the remaining 40% as a development cost. Buyers will also have the option to pay the total cost in instalments within a year of purchase. This move aligns with the government's efforts to provide affordable housing and promote horizontal urban growth while empowering potential homeowners.Read more