25 Mar 2025

Mumbai's iconic Laxmi Nivas bungalow, located on Nepean Sea Road, has been sold for INR 276 crore, making it one of the city's most expensive property transactions. Once a secret refuge for freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement, the 19,891 sq ft colonial bungalow was sold by the Kapadia family to Vageshwari Properties Pvt. Ltd., linked to Elina Nikhil Meswani of Reliance Industries. Built in 1904 and owned by the Kapadia family since 1917, the property holds significant historical value and development potential of around 45,000 sq ft. This sale adds to a series of high-value real estate deals in Mumbai's luxury market.Read more

Arun Nair

25 Mar 2025

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed changes to the reservation status of 60 land parcels between Goregaon and Dahisar to facilitate phase two of the Mumbai Coastal Road project. These adjustments, part of the Development Plan 2034, affect plots in Eksar, Malad (West), Malvani, Pahadi (Goregaon), Charkop, and Dahisar, aligning them with upcoming infrastructure needs. The 25-kilometre Coastal Road phase 2, costing INR 20,000 crore, will connect the Versova-Bandra Sea Link to Dahisar, with integration planned for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road. The BMC is inviting public suggestions and objections within a 30-day window, followed by a public hearing.Read more

25 Mar 2025

The Bhubaneswar metro rail project may soon extend to Cuttack, rather than ending at Trishulia, to ensure seamless connectivity between the twin cities. Housing and Urban Development Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Mohapatra emphasized the need for this extension, with a technical team currently reviewing route and design adjustments. A possible bridge over the Kathajodi River is being considered. While depot construction and precasting continue, the extension could push the project completion beyond December 2027. Once operational, commuters will travel between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in 30 minutes, significantly improving urban mobility and reducing traffic congestion in the region.Read more

24 Mar 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has confirmed that Noida International Airport will begin domestic operations from May 15, 2025, with international flights to follow by June 25, 2025. Originally set to open in September 2024, the project faced delays due to construction setbacks, prompting the state to impose a INR 10 lakh per day penalty on the concessionaire. The airport is expected to transform the region, driving real estate growth and economic activity, similar to major airports in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Plans for enhanced connectivity with Delhi, including air-conditioned electric buses, will further bolster its impact on regional development.Read more

24 Mar 2025

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has announced a 6,000-acre township project in Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT), aiming to house 3 lakh residents. Spread across 14 villages, including Bhauli and Purwa, this marks LDA's first major development on Sitapur Road in 40 years. A dedicated committee will oversee land acquisition and planning. Modeled after large-scale urban projects like Navi Mumbai and Gurugram, the township will feature modern infrastructure, green spaces, and commercial hubs, reducing pressure on Lucknow's existing residential areas. With surveys underway, the project is set to transform the city's urban landscape.Read more

21 Mar 2025

HCC-Tata Projects JV has secured a INR 2,191 crore contract from MPMRCL for Indore Metro Phase 1's first 8.65-km underground corridor. This segment, the metro's only underground section, includes 11.32 km of tunnels and seven stations at key locations like Indore Railway Station and Airport. The corridor will enhance city connectivity, easing congestion and improving accessibility. HCC, holding a 55% stake in the JV, brings extensive metro experience, with ongoing projects in Mumbai and Chennai. Using tunnel boring machines (TBM) for precision and minimal surface disruption, the project will ensure efficient metro operations, reinforcing HCC's role in urban transit infrastructure.Read more

21 Mar 2025

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is spearheading one of India's largest public housing projects in Navi Mumbai under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Spread across 600 acres at 20 locations from Vashi to Taloja, the initiative aims to deliver 67,235 affordable housing units catering to economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG). Prices for EWS flats start at INR 25 lakh, while LIG flats can reach over INR 97 lakh. Earlier this year, 5,000 units were sold, with keys handed over to several families. The project is expected to be completed in phases by the end of 2027.Read more

21 Mar 2025

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) authorities have proposed a significant increase in the User Development Fee (UDF). If approved, the revised charges are expected to come into effect from the next financial year. The proposal suggests raising UDF to INR 463 for international passengers and INR 325 for domestic travellers. While the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has sought to hike the UDF, it has simultaneously recommended a 35 per cent reduction in landing and parking charges to provide some relief to airlines. A final decision on the proposed charges is anticipated to be made following a stakeholder meeting held earlier this week in New Delhi.Read more

20 Mar 2025

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is facing delays in Phase II of the Kochi Metro, a 11.2 km Pink Line extending from JLN Stadium to Kakkanad, due to procedural hurdles in securing a INR 914 crore loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Kerala government has yet to recommend the loan to the central government, delaying fund disbursement. Despite work starting in July 2024, financial constraints are slowing progress. Similar issues have affected metro projects in Pune and Bengaluru. Resolving the funding impasse is critical to ensuring timely completion and enhancing urban mobility in Kochi.Read more

20 Mar 2025

The Thane Creek Bridge, a major infrastructure project in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, is now fully complete and set to open, easing travel between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Built by MSRDC, the bridge features 12 lanes (six in each direction) and can accommodate over 100,000 vehicles daily, offering a major relief to commuters plagued by bottlenecks on the Vashi Bridge and Sion-Panvel Highway. As part of broader infrastructure upgrades in the region, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and support upcoming developments like the Navi Mumbai International Airport.Read more