The Uttar Pradesh government has waived building permit and inspection fees for small residential and commercial plots after amending state building byelaws. Under the new rules, owners constructing on residential plots of up to 100 sq m and commercial plots of up to 30 sq m will not be required to pay approval-related charges. The move aims to lower construction costs, reduce procedural delays and encourage formal development. Construction approvals will now be granted through an online deemed-approval system, provided basic norms are met. The amendments also update technical definitions to align with modern building practices. The changes are expected to benefit small homeowners, local businesses and low- to middle-income groups across the state.Read more

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has approved layouts and finalised prices for commercial, hospital, and group housing plots in Gomtinagar Extension. These plots will be offered through an e?auction starting later this month, allowing online registration via the LDA portal. Sector?7 behind the Police Headquarters features 11 group housing and one commercial plot, while Vibhuti Khand near 1090 Chauraha includes five commercial plots and one hospital plot. Two additional group housing sites on Butler Palace Road, Dalibagh, are also part of the auction. Reserve prices reflect the premium location and infrastructure of the area.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has intensified its enforcement drive against illegal use of marginal spaces and unauthorised hawkers across multiple wards. Civic teams carried out coordinated inspections in Vashi, Belapur and the APMC Market area, seizing materials and collecting penalties exceeding INR 1.55 lakh as part of a citywide effort to keep roads and footpaths obstruction-free.Read more

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) conducted a demolition drive in Tilpath Valley, Sainik Farms, targeting illegal farmhouses built on green land allocated for a biodiversity park. The operation recovered around 4.5 acres of land, including a property previously protected by a temporary stay order from the Delhi High Court. Earlier, five of nine identified properties were demolished, including fully built and semi-built farmhouses and a vacant plot. Officials clarified that the land is outside protections under the NCT of Delhi Act, 2014, making the structures unauthorised. This step contributes to conservation and urban land regulation efforts.Read more

The Uttarakhand cabinet has approved a policy change allowing resorts to be built on agricultural land without requiring formal land-use conversion. The move aims to simplify approvals and attract fresh investment into the state's tourism and hospitality sector. By easing regulatory hurdles, the government hopes to encourage new resort and leisure projects, create local jobs and expand tourism beyond traditional hill stations. Officials said the decision supports plans to develop high-end hospitality offerings while leveraging Uttarakhand's natural landscapes. The policy includes safeguards to protect agricultural productivity and environmental balance, with projects required to follow specific guidelines and impact assessments. The change marks a key step in making Uttarakhand a more competitive and investor-friendly tourism destination.Read more

Bihar's Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has set up a Special Task Force (STF) to strengthen action against illegal sand mining and land mafia activities across the state. The unit will work under DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon with SP Rajesh Kumar, four DSPs and five inspectors. The STF will focus on financial investigations, identification of illegal assets and legal action for their seizure. It will coordinate with various government departments and district authorities. A confidential public helpline has also been launched to report suspicious activities linked to mining or land dealings.Read more

Bihar has introduced Bhumi Sudhar Samvad, a government initiative to speed up resolution of land disputes and enhance transparency in land records. Citizens can now present land documents for verification and correction by officials. A special monitoring team, Udan Dasta, will check for fraudulent activities in land transactions. The state has received about 46 lakh applications, resolving nearly 12 lakh cases so far. The government will also run a campaign in March to remove encroachments on state land, while officials involved in irregularities will face strict action.Read more

The Maharashtra government has moved to speed up redevelopment of old buildings and chawls on Mumbai’s mill lands by approving key changes to planning regulations. The previous rules lacked incentive Floor Space Index (FSI), which discouraged developers from taking up projects despite many structures being unsafe and long overdue for renewal. Under revised norms, developers will now get added incentive FSI, making projects more viable. Residents on mill lands will keep the right to rehabilitation homes. This change aims to unlock stalled projects and bring renewed investment to Mumbai’s historic mill areas.Read more

The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) secured landowner consent for nearly 300 hectares under a land pooling plan for the 19.60 km Indore Pithampur Economic Corridor, covering part of the total 1,177 hectares including private and government land. This development marks steady progress in a major connectivity project designed to ease freight movement and support industrial growth in the region. Authorities continue phased land formalities and will finalise engineering plans before beginning structured corridor development. The project builds on prior land registry steps and policy adjustments for returning developed land to owners.Read more

VOC Port has invited bids for a 56-hectare shipyard at Tuticorin port, including 49 hectares of land and 7 hectares of waterfront, on a 30-year lease with options for upfront or annual payments. Bidders must have shipbuilding or repair experience or partner with a qualified firm. The project will be awarded to the highest techno-commercially qualified bid. This development aligns with VOC Port's broader plans, including a recent MoU with SIPCOT to create a mega shipbuilding cluster, enhancing maritime infrastructure and employment opportunities in Tamil Nadu.Read more

A consortium of GHR Infra, Lakshmi Infra and Urbanblocks Realty has strengthened its presence in Hyderabad’s Neopolis corridor by securing Plot 15 for INR 151.25 crore per acre in HMDA’s latest land auction. The 4.03-acre northeast-corner plot, fronting two 150-ft roads, marks Telangana’s second-highest land rate to date. The developers say the acquisition supports their long-term vision for Neopolis, where they are already building The Cascades Neopolis, a INR 3,169-crore luxury project with five 63-storey towers. Master planning for the new parcel is underway, with plans to create wellness-focused, sustainable and design-forward spaces, expanding their high-rise-led development strategy in the area.Read more

The Surat Municipal Corporation has stepped up land acquisition for its planned multi-modal transport hub, signalling a move from planning to execution. The hub is designed to integrate bus, rail, taxi and local transit services, helping reduce travel time, ease congestion and improve connectivity across the city. Key land parcels have been identified for terminals, parking, passenger facilities and supporting infrastructure. Urban planners note that such a hub could boost real-estate demand in nearby areas, often leading to higher property values and better amenities. The project supports Surat’s wider goal of easing traffic pressure, expanding public transport and guiding sustainable urban development.Read more

The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) will now strictly enforce a one-time penalty on allottees who fail to begin construction within three years, and will not issue final sale deeds until buildings are completed. The move targets beneficiaries who left plots vacant or transferred them illegally while land values soared. Exceptions have been made for Arkavathy and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layouts due to delays and incomplete infrastructure. Many older allottees had secured sites at very low rates but never built on them. The BDA has also flagged cases of unauthorised transfers, which will now attract a 25% penalty. The policy aims to curb speculation and encourage timely, compliant development.Read more

The Supreme Court has ordered the SIT investigating Noida land compensation irregularities to include former CEOs and senior officials in its probe. The investigation will examine alleged collusion between officials and beneficiaries over the past 10-15 years, focusing on misuse of power and transparency issues. Farmers who received higher compensation will not be penalised. The SIT has been given two more months to complete its work, which includes examining bank accounts and assets. The court also mandated accountability measures such as a chief vigilance officer and citizen advisory board.Read more

MHADA has reopened its online tender for 16 amenity plots across Mumbai after the earlier round failed to draw bids. The plots, located in areas such as Malad-Malvani, Goregaon’s Unnat Nagar, Kandivli Charkop, Vikhroli, Gorai, Akurli, Kurla and Mulund (East), range from 32 sq m to over 7,000 sq m. They are earmarked for community uses including schools, hospitals, playgrounds, shopping areas and welfare centres. MHADA hopes the fresh tender, which combines unsold and new plots, will attract greater interest from developers and institutions. Bidding opens in the second week of December and remains active until mid-January through MHADA’s online portal.Read more

The Maharashtra Assembly recently passed an amendment to the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, making it easier to subdivide small plots in urban areas. The decision is expected to benefit nearly three crore people living on gunthewari plots by removing the need for repeated Non-Agricultural permissions in locations where approved Development Plans or Regional Plans already exist. Landowners can now obtain individual ownership by paying a one-time premium, allowing their names to be added to the 7/12 land record. Opposition members raised concerns about infrastructure and possible advantages to builders, but the government said the move is meant to regularise long-time residents.Read more

Authorities in New South Wales have lowered wildfire alerts after fires destroyed homes and damaged infrastructure across the Central Coast and other regions. Over 60 fires were active during the peak, but officials confirmed that residents were no longer in immediate danger. Disaster assistance, including financial help and recovery support, has been activated for six affected regions. The Australian government highlighted the continuing risk of extreme heat and bushfires during the summer months. The state's vulnerability has been worsened by climate change, with memories of the 2019-2020 'Black Summer' fires still influencing preparedness.Read more

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has sent the Tenancy and Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to a Select Committee for scrutiny. The Bill proposes allowing rural houses to be leased for ten years and exempts certain sales from prior permission under Section 118 of the 1972 Act. While the government says the amendments aim to simplify processes and promote development, opposition parties warn that they could weaken protections for local farmers, agricultural land, and forest areas. The committee's review will shape the Bill's future.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the second phase of land pooling for Amaravati, allowing the APCRDA to assemble 16,666.57 acres from seven villages. The newly pooled land will support key infrastructure, including an inner ring road, a new railway station with tracks, and an international-standard sports city. Officials also noted that future plans may include an international airport and smart-industry zones. Under the land-pooling model, farmers who contribute land receive developed residential or commercial plots in return, with some government land also being integrated. This phase builds on earlier rounds and forms part of the broader vision to develop Amaravati into a modern, well-planned capital region.Read more

Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Survey and Settlement has invited proposals for high-resolution satellite imagery covering about 1.3 lakh sq km, aiming to modernise the state's land-record system. The 30-cm imagery will be integrated into the Tamil Nadu GIS platform, enabling a shift from traditional 2D maps to precise geospatial maps with latitude-longitude accuracy. Officials say this will reduce boundary disputes, improve urban mapping and support faster patta transfers, subdivision approvals, and land-use reclassification. It will also help detect encroachments and strengthen planning, environmental monitoring and disaster management. The initiative complements Tamil Nadu's recent push to digitise land administration and provide easier online access to land records.Read more