The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has introduced a dedicated five-member vigilance squad to tackle illegal construction activities and penalise staff negligence. The move follows growing public concern over delayed civic action and continued unauthorised developments. The new squad will probe complaints filed through the Saarthi helpline and those escalated to senior officers, with findings being reported directly to the Municipal Commissioner. This decision comes after demolition of structures such as a 1,200 sq ft illegal building in Rahatani and thousands of unauthorised units in areas like Kudalwadi and the Indrayani riverbed, underscoring the urgency of the issue.Read more

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has proposed to reduce enhancement charges by INR 800 per square yard for over 30,000 plot allottees in Mohali. This decision, awaiting state government approval, aims to provide financial relief. Currently at INR 2,645 per square yard, these charges are additional compensation to landowners, recovered from allottees. The proposed revision, contingent on comparison with Noida and Panchkula models, seeks to balance landowner compensation with allottee relief, addressing concerns about rising costs and administrative delays in the past.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation carried out a demolition drive against unauthorised sheds in Turbhe after the occupants ignored prior notices. Under instructions from Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde and supervision by Additional Commissioner Dr Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner Dr Kailas Gaikwad, the encroachment department undertook the operation. A team comprising local civic officers, security personnel, and police officials ensured the removal was carried out smoothly using 21 labourers and a JCB machine.Read more

GMADA's land pooling scheme in Mohali has faced severe backlash, with only 15 of nearly 8,000 villagers opting in. The initiative aimed to consolidate 2,600 acres for commercial, residential, and industrial expansion across sectors like 84, 87, and 120-124. Farmers, especially smallholders, argue compensation is unfair and cite unresolved past issues like delayed Aerocity and IT City allotments. Villages including Patton and Kishanpura have formally rejected the scheme. Protests also highlight alleged coercion and surveillance via satellite to track unauthorized colonies. Despite opposition, officials plan to begin acquisition in 3-4 months, emphasizing long-term benefits for landowners and regional development.Read more

The Bombay High Court has rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the use of Mumbai's salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, ruled that no evidence supported the claim that the land was environmentally sensitive or legally restricted. The judges stated that governmental approvals had already been secured for its use, with no legal bar cited under existing urban planning laws. The PIL had raised concerns over CRZ violations and the potential precedent such land use could set.Read more

The Maharashtra government has approved converting CIDCO residential plots from leasehold to freehold, providing greater ownership rights to property owners in Navi Mumbai and other CIDCO-developed areas. This decision marks a policy shift for CIDCO. CIDCO has formed a committee to manage applications. Plot owners must apply and pay fees, including unearned income recovery if applicable. Freehold status eliminates future transfer charges, simplifies registration and inheritance, and offers more flexibility for redevelopment or resale.Read more

The Madras High Court has fined J Kumaragurubaran, Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), INR 1 lakh for inaction against unauthorized construction in the Royapuram zone. This follows a contempt petition alleging the corporation's failure to comply with a 2022 court order. The court criticized GCC for insufficient efforts, noting a discrepancy between over 6,000 notices issued and only 242 buildings sealed since 2022. The fine, to be deducted from the Commissioner's salary and sent to Adyar Cancer Institute, underscores the court's stance on enforcing regulations and holding officials accountable for inaction.Read more

Ludhiana's project to assign Unique Identification (UID) number plates to households faces new challenges, leading to a third relaunch. The initiative, aimed at digitizing property records, stalled as the contractor refused drone surveys due to cost disputes, prompting the Municipal Corporation (MC) to scrap the contract. This follows two previous failures. The current World Bank-supported project, initially budgeted at INR 5.75 crore, will now require new tenders. Concerns about the contractor's repeated involvement have been raised, highlighting ongoing struggles with project execution and accountability in implementing the long-delayed UID system.Read more

At a major event hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal laid out a transformative vision for Indian agriculture. He advocated transitioning from traditional practices towards climate-resilient irrigation, smart food processing, and globally competitive exports. With aspirations to raise agri-exports from INR 4 lakh crore to INR 20 lakh crore, he emphasised collaboration between the government, industry, and farmers to make agriculture central to India's USD 5 trillion economy. The session reinforced the strategic value of technology, branding, and sustainable farming in building a future-ready agri-sector.Read more

The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) has initiated land pooling for the 19.60 km Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor. This infrastructure project, estimated to cost over INR 2,400 crore, aims to boost industrial growth and connectivity between Indore, Pithampur, and the airport. Farmers will receive 60% developed land as compensation, an increase from the usual 50%. The corridor, 75 meters wide, will feature commercial, industrial, and residential activities along its sides. Land consents are being collected from 17 villages, preparing for construction to begin in the coming months.Read more

The Maharashtra government has approved legalizing subdivided land parcels formed up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing its land fragmentation law. This decision aims to benefit over 50 lakh families. Plots up to one guntha (1,089 sq ft) will gain official property rights. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be finalized within 15 days by a four-member committee to clarify approvals and ensure planned growth. This move seeks to resolve legal hurdles in property registration and construction permissions across various urban and peri-urban areas.Read more

The Gujarat government will receive 50% of the revenue from the sale of development rights for a 4,420 sq m plot on the Sabarmati Riverfront, generating INR 156.13 crore. This is mandated by a 2004 agreement for state-owned land. The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. (SRFDCL) approved the sale. The land disposal policy, updated in October 2023 and January 2024, uses value zones based on the GIFT City model. One previous auction was successful, while another was canceled due to a single bid, amid discussions about alleged plan changes favoring a bidder.Read more

Davanagere district leads Karnataka in digital land records distribution, having issued 2.5 lakh records of rights (RTCs) and resolved 1.25 lakh sub-division cases. This makes it a model for transparency, with 100% distribution of property ownership records. The initiative aims to reduce disputes and streamline transactions across the state, where other districts lag in progress.Read more

Maharashtra's 'one state one registration' scheme, aimed at allowing property registration at any sub-registrar office statewide, has been delayed due to legal and technical concerns. Originally part of a 100-day priority program, the rollout has been paused over risks like impersonation, fraudulent land transfers, and stamp duty evasion. In response, the revenue department has issued strict compliance guidelines and mandated biweekly inspections by district registrars and stamp duty collectors. Until safeguards are in place, the current 'one district one registration' system will continue. The delay highlights persistent challenges in digitalizing property records and ensuring secure, fraud-proof transactions across the state.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved new Building Construction and Development Byelaws 2025 for Prayagraj, removing the need for prior building plan approvals for houses on plots up to 100 square meters. This aims to simplify homebuilding for middle-class families, saving about INR 1.25 lakh in fees. The bylaws also introduce flexible building usage, allowing home-based shops and offices, and ease approvals for larger projects. While not applicable to restricted areas, the changes are expected to boost housing and retail activities, improving city revenue.Read more

The Thane Municipal Commissioner has ordered a detailed survey of structures in the eco-sensitive Yeoor area to address unauthorized residential and commercial activities impacting local wildlife. Prompted by complaints from activists and residents, the survey targets illegal use of residential properties for events like weddings and parties-activities banned in such zones. Post-survey, notices will be issued, followed by joint enforcement by municipal, forest, and police authorities. The action aligns with Bombay High Court directives and a March 2025 state circular. The initiative underscores the importance of protecting eco-sensitive zones from commercial misuse and ensuring adherence to urban planning and environmental regulations.Read more

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a weekly e-Khata Abhiyan every Friday to address delays in issuing e-Khatas. This initiative follows public frustration and concerns from real estate stakeholders regarding technical glitches. The MCC aims to issue at least 1 lakh e-Khatas by the end of the current fiscal year, from approximately 1.7 lakh properties. Public and real estate sectors remain critical of civic agencies' preparedness, citing unawareness of rule modifications and server issues among officials, which has affected property transactions.Read more

India's real estate sector saw robust land activity in H1 2025, with 76 deals transacting over 2,898 acres worth INR 30,885 crore-already surpassing 2024's full-year volume. These land parcels have a development potential of 233 million sq ft and an estimated revenue potential of INR 1.47 lakh crore. Most transactions support residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Of the total, 67 deals (991 acres) occurred in top cities, while nine large deals (1,907 acres) were in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Notably, 17 deals were structured as joint development agreements. The surge in land acquisitions signals heightened future construction and development momentum across segments.Read more

Signature Global has acquired two land parcels totaling nearly 10 acres in Sohna, Gurugram, with plans to develop 5.3 lakh sq ft of housing space. This follows a strategic shift from affordable to mid-income and premium housing due to rising land costs. The company recently announced plans to invest INR 1,200-1,500 crore in land acquisition and INR 2,500 crore in construction for FY 2025-26. Signature Global posted a net profit of INR 101.2 crore in the last fiscal, with total income rising to INR 2,637.99 crore. With a strong development pipeline of over 67 million sq ft, it targets INR 12,500 crore in pre-sales this fiscal.Read more

Faridabad authorities have intensified efforts to clear illegal constructions from forest land in the Aravalli region, following a Supreme Court directive. In a recent operation, 10 farmhouses and five structures were demolished in the Anand Van-Aravalli belt. Of 730 PLPA-notified forest patches, 85 have been cleared so far. The crackdown includes areas like Anangpur and Mewla Maharajpur, where over 6,800 illegal buildings were identified via drone surveys. Violations range from homes to banquet halls, many harming water recharge zones and biodiversity. Backed by satellite monitoring, the state now aims for systematic enforcement after years of delay, under pressure from the court-appointed Central Empowered Committee.Read more