The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has commenced the installation of permanent digital door number (DDN) plates equipped with unique identifiers and QR codes across city households, replacing earlier paper tags. Officials explained that a dedicated mobile application is being developed to locate properties swiftly and to integrate these identifiers with municipal records, including tax and utility data. The initiative aims to enhance emergency response, improve service delivery and reduce tax evasion, with a complete rollout targeted in the coming months.Read more

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), in coordination with NTR district officials, has formed a special Vacant Land Tax Committee to recover outstanding dues of over INR 870 crore. Although the VMC raised a demand of INR 237 crore in the last financial year, collections amounted to just INR 19 crore. A major challenge has been identifying landowners who live elsewhere. Officials are now using sale deed records and district databases to trace them. Notices will be issued to top defaulters across all secretariats, beginning with areas where defaults are lowest.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has intensified action against unauthorised structures across several of its designated planning zones. Empowered under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, officers have now begun issuing formal notices, conducting hearings, and implementing orders as per a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This move is part of a structured push to regulate urban development, discourage violations, and protect unsuspecting homebuyers from investing in illegal constructions. The crackdown spans key growth areas like Bhiwandi, Kalyan, BKC, Palghar, and more.Read more

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd has expanded its land holdings by acquiring 102 acres during the past quarter to develop residential projects in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. With an estimated gross development value exceeding INR 20,000 crore, the acquisitions form part of the company's aggressive growth strategy in the housing sector. The firm also posted robust quarterly results, recording higher net profit, revenue and sales bookings, supported by strong demand, especially from a large-scale project in Ghaziabad. Management has provided strong sales guidance for the current fiscal year.Read more

The municipal corporation in Ranchi has initiated a land demarcation and survey campaign aimed at tackling unauthorised encroachments on its properties. The commissioner stated that this move follows recent findings through drone surveillance, which uncovered multiple cases of illegal occupation on civic land. Officials explained that the purpose of this exercise is to identify unutilised plots, reclaim encroached land, and use some of these areas for civic infrastructure such as parks, toilets, and community spaces. Signage and fencing will be introduced to prevent further unauthorised usage.Read more

The Haryana government has launched a wide-reaching housing initiative aimed at providing legal home ownership and plots to economically weaker sections in both urban and rural areas. More than 1,100 families in Jagadhri received interim ownership papers for 30 sq yd plots, while nearly 3,900 rural households across 58 villages were allotted land under Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0. The effort is backed by subsidies under PMAY, employment under MGNREGA, and support for basic needs. Alongside this, the state is expanding welfare schemes in healthcare, education, and employment.Read more

The Karnataka government has initiated a large-scale digitisation programme aimed at delivering e-khata documents directly to rural households under the Eswathu to doorsteps campaign. With over 97 lakh property records already digitised through the Panchatantra 2.0 platform, the initiative targets the remaining manually maintained land records to ensure complete digital integration. A dedicated citizen helpdesk is also being established to guide villagers through the e-khata application process and address complaints. This approach is expected to streamline land transactions and remove the necessity of visiting gram panchayat offices.Read more

Omaxe Ltd. has committed to Haryana's 'Matri Van' initiative by adopting a 10-acre stretch of land in the Aravalli Hills, Gurugram. This move forms part of a larger 750-acre afforestation drive by the state government aimed at improving Delhi-NCR's air quality and biodiversity. Omaxe will undertake plantation and sustained maintenance of native and medicinal species such as Peepal, Bael, and Imli, aligning the effort with its ESG goals and green development philosophy. The forest is expected to offer a lasting natural space for citizens, while enhancing the region's environmental resilience.Read more

Bengaluru-based real estate developer Assetz has acquired an 11.5-acre land parcel in East Bengaluru, located on the Old Madras Road (OMR)/Hoskote Highway. The company plans to develop a new luxury housing project with a gross development value (GDV) of INR 400 crore on the site. This project, which will be a joint development with Vanshee Builders and Developers, is part of Assetz's strategy to expand its portfolio in the city's key growth corridors.Read more

The Karnataka government has sought permission from the Union ministry of civil aviation to conduct drone surveys in 353 villages located near airports, defence zones, and other high-security areas. The initiative is part of the state's effort to complete the SVAMITVA scheme, which aims to generate ownership records for rural properties through drone mapping. With surveys already conducted in over twenty-three thousand villages and draft property cards prepared, the state awaits clearance to proceed with the remaining sensitive locations.Read more

The Greater Cochin Development Authority has commenced the land pooling process for the development of Infopark Phase III in Kochi. Spread across Kizhakkambalam and Kunnathunadu villages, the proposed IT township will cover approximately three hundred acres. The project is being developed using a land pooling model that offers landowners a majority return of their plots post-development, with the prospect of significantly increased land value. This phase comes in response to saturated demand at Infopark's existing phases and aims to attract large-scale investment while fostering modern urban infrastructure.Read more

In a major real estate deal, KRC Queens Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of K Raheja Corp, has acquired a 7.43-acre land parcel in Mahalunge, Pune, for INR 195 crore. The land, purchased from Mahalunge Real Estate Developers Pvt Ltd, is designated for a new residential township project. This strategic acquisition highlights K Raheja Corp's growing presence in the Pune market and its commitment to developing large-scale residential projects to meet the city's increasing housing demand.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved GIS-based master plans for 56 of 59 AMRUT cities, with Kanpur, Ghaziabad, and Rampur nearing final clearance. These digitised plans use geo-referenced maps and layered data to guide urban development, including transit zones, green corridors, and mobility networks. Originally set for completion last year, the scope expanded to include more detailed planning elements, extending timelines. Approval is crucial for cities to access AMRUT scheme funding. Once finalised, these plans will enable better land-use monitoring, improve infrastructure planning, and ensure more transparent governance. This marks a significant step toward smart, integrated urban development across the state.Read more

Lucknow's property market has seen a rise in official property valuations after the administration revised circle rates for the first time in nearly a decade. Residential land prices have increased by 20-25 % and agricultural land by about 15 %. Localities such as Gomtinagar, Mahanagar and Indiranagar recorded the sharpest hikes. Premium locations now have updated rates in line with current market conditions. The revision also introduces QR code transparency and a cap on stamp duty for family transfers.Read more

The Allahabad High Court has ordered the Ghaziabad Development Authority and local officials to halt demolitions of unauthorised homes, offering interim relief to residents facing eviction. The directive follows a petition by Naresh Kumar and 18 others, who've lived on the land for over 40 years. The court emphasised the need for a rehabilitation plan, noting the petitioners belong to economically weaker sections. Authorities must now submit a detailed resettlement proposal before the next hearing. Demolition notices had been issued to 172 occupants, sparking legal challenges. The court also barred structural changes and third-party claims until further orders are issued.Read more

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed a case against Ansal Housing, group firms, and former Haryana revenue officials for allegedly tampering with land records in the protected Aravali region near Sohna, Gurgaon. The FIR claims non-developable hill land was illegally reclassified in the 1990s, allowing the 1,200-acre Ansal Aravali Retreat farmhouse project to proceed. Triggered by a decade-old complaint, the investigation cites fraud, conspiracy, and forgery, highlighting collusion between officials and developers. Courts have since restored the land's protected status. The action underscores the lasting weight of environmental safeguards and the need for stricter oversight in ecologically sensitive real estate developments.Read more

The Zojila tunnel project, which aims to connect Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir with Minamarg in Ladakh, will now be completed by February 2028, missing its earlier target of September 2026. The tunnel has seen about 64% physical progress, and over INR 3,934 crore has been spent so far out of the total INR 6,809 crore budget. The delay has been attributed to COVID-19 disruptions, a terror attack at a nearby site, and tough weather conditions. Once completed, the tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity and significantly improve travel and logistics between Srinagar and Leh.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has moved the Supreme Court against a Bombay High Court order directing it to restore 119.91 hectares of land in Kanjurmarg to mangrove forest. BMC argues the land is vital for waste disposal, handling 90% of Mumbai's solid waste. The land's status has been contested since 2006, with a 2009 government move to de-notify it as forest facing legal challenge from NGO Vanshakti. The High Court ruled that forest de-notification lacked Central approval, making it invalid. BMC claims part of the land was mistakenly tagged as forest and is now urging the Supreme Court to reverse the order.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has initiated the revival of a long-stalled development project through a land pooling strategy aimed at resolving compensation-related disputes. Located near Chandigarh Road, the project had been inactive for nearly two decades due to land acquisition hurdles. The scheme, recently approved by the state government, seeks to balance landowner and authority interests by offering a portion of developed land in return for voluntarily pooled plots. The move is expected to unlock significant development potential in the region.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) carried out a demolition drive in Airoli under the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. Despite having served prior notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the individuals involved failed to remove unauthorised structures on their own. As a result, the encroachments at two sites in Sector 4, Airoli were forcibly cleared, and a penalty of INR 50,000 was levied on each offender. The drive was executed with support from the encroachment department, local police, and demolition personnel.Read more