16 Apr 2026

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has raised concerns over the increasing use of residential properties for commercial activities across the city, as a nationwide inquiry ordered by the Supreme Court comes into effect. Mayor Mrigen Sarania acknowledged the prevalence of mixed-use buildings, particularly where ground floors are used commercially while upper floors remain residential. The development follows a directive requiring civic bodies in all state capitals to survey and report unauthorised commercial use of residential premises by mid-May. The issue highlights challenges in enforcing zoning regulations in rapidly expanding urban centres such as Guwahati, where commercial spillover into residential neighbourhoods has intensified. Municipal authorities are expected to undertake detailed mapping of such violations and submit compliance reports as part of the court-monitored exercise.Read more

16 Apr 2026

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has revised its enforcement approach to ensure that homebuyers are not penalised for environmental violations committed by developers in residential and commercial projects across Punjab. Under fresh directions issued in the past week, the Board has allowed execution of sale deeds and provision of electricity connections for individual buyers in projects that have breached pollution control norms. The move follows public complaints and recommendations of a committee constituted earlier this year, which found that earlier restrictions had caused significant hardship to buyers who were unaware of such violations. While relief has been extended to purchasers, the PPCB has maintained that strict legal and regulatory action will continue against non-compliant developers until full adherence to environmental norms is achieved.Read more

16 Apr 2026

The Chandigarh administration has approved an increase in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for group housing projects, aimed at reducing per-unit housing costs and improving affordability in the city. The decision, cleared in the past week, allows higher construction density, including permission for additional floors in select developments such as the Sector 53 housing scheme. The revised FAR, increased from earlier limits, is expected to enable developers to build more units on the same land parcel, thereby distributing land costs across a larger inventory. The move aligns with the Chandigarh Master Plan framework and follows concerns over high housing prices and limited supply. The policy also introduces caps on ground coverage and building height to maintain planning controls while facilitating higher-density development.Read more

Hyderabad News Desk

15 Apr 2026

The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) has directed builders and developers to implement stringent safety and environmental measures at construction sites across its jurisdiction in Hyderabad. The instructions, issued during a stakeholder meeting in the past week, emphasise compliance with statutory norms, including worker safety, dust and pollution control, and adherence to sanctioned building plans. The civic body has also mandated proper disposal of construction debris through authorised agencies and reinforced conditions around occupancy certificate approvals. The move comes amid increasing construction activity in the IT corridor and surrounding areas, with authorities seeking to ensure that urban expansion does not compromise public safety or environmental standards. The directive applies to both ongoing and upcoming projects and involves coordination with industry bodies.Read more

15 Apr 2026

The district administration in Beed has intensified efforts to expedite land acquisition for the Beed Parli Vaijnath railway corridor, with the district collector conducting a multi-location inspection across key tehsils. The review, carried out in the past week, focused on resolving pending land acquisition issues and technical constraints that have slowed project progress. Covering villages in Wadwani, Dharur and Parli tehsils, the inspection involved direct engagement with affected landowners and coordination with railway and state officials. The corridor is part of a broader rail infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Marathwada and major economic centres such as Mumbai and Pune. The intervention is expected to facilitate smoother execution by addressing stakeholder grievances and unlocking stalled land parcels critical to project completion.Read more

15 Apr 2026

NASSCOM has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on workplace misconduct following allegations of sexual harassment at Tata Consultancy Services Nashik office. The case involves complaints by eight female employees, leading to a police investigation and multiple arrests. The company's leadership has initiated an internal probe, while authorities have constituted a special investigation team. Nasscom stated that such incidents are treated with seriousness and described them as isolated rather than systemic across the industry. The development has drawn attention to workplace safety frameworks, compliance mechanisms, and grievance redressal processes within India's technology sector, particularly in large IT services firms operating across multiple locations.Read more

15 Apr 2026

At least 13 workers were killed and 21 injured following a boiler-linked explosion at a power plant operated by Vedanta Ltd in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred at the Singhitarai facility and involved personnel from a subcontractor handling operations at the unit. The blast, caused by a high-pressure steam tube failure, led to severe burn injuries among workers. Multiple investigations have been ordered, including a magisterial probe, while the state government announced compensation for victims. The plant, part of a 1,200 MW thermal power project, has one operational unit and another under development. The incident has raised concerns around industrial safety compliance at large-scale energy infrastructure projects.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Efforts to regularise more than 450 unauthorised colonies in Indore have encountered significant administrative and regulatory challenges, with multiple government departments raising objections during the review process. While the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has previously legalised over 200 colonies in earlier phases, the remaining settlements face issues related to land ownership, zoning restrictions, and lack of mandatory approvals. A substantial number of these colonies are situated on land falling under urban land ceiling provisions, green belts, or areas controlled by agencies such as the Indore Development Authority and Housing Board, making them ineligible under existing policy. The absence of approved layouts and pending development charges has further slowed progress, leaving residents without access to formal infrastructure, institutional finance, and civic services.Read more

15 Apr 2026

The Goa government has approved the conversion of more than 18,000 sq m of land in Bardez taluka into settlement zones under provisions of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. The approvals, granted in the recent past, form part of a broader set of applications processed under Section 39A, which allows changes to zoning classifications in the Regional Plan. The move reflects continued demand for land-use changes in North Goa, particularly in areas witnessing residential and tourism-led development. Bardez remains among the leading talukas in such applications, with multiple proposals involving agricultural and other land categories. The approvals come amid wider scrutiny of zoning changes and their implications for planning controls, environmental considerations, and urban expansion in the state.Read more

15 Apr 2026

Building approval revenue in Telangana's expanded urban region recorded only a modest increase following the merger and restructuring of municipalities into larger civic bodies. Data presented in the past week showed that revenues rose to INR 1,172 crore in 2025-26, compared to INR 1,138 crore in the previous year, despite a significant volume of 15,536 building permissions issued. The restructuring created three corporations Greater Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri within the Core Urban Region. A majority of approvals were processed through instant clearance systems, primarily for smaller residential developments. The data indicates that while administrative integration has expanded jurisdiction and activity, revenue growth has remained constrained, reflecting structural changes in approval authority and shifting development patterns.Read more