Last week the Lucknow Development Authority announced that it intends to offer over one hundred long-vacant shops for direct purchase on a first-come-first-served basis, following repeated unsuccessful auctions due to high reserve prices and poor condition of properties. The authority also proposes converting more than forty unutilised public-facility plots into residential and commercial use. This initiative forms part of a broader budget proposal designed to boost revenue and support major infrastructure and housing developments.Read more

In a recent development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to impose a stay on the land allotment made to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Visakhapatnam, despite a public interest litigation challenging the decision. The petitioner alleged undervaluation and procedural lapses, but the court observed that such incentives were common practice to attract early-stage investment. The government clarified that the land was being leased and not sold, with the court allowing the process to continue pending final adjudication.Read more

Four CIDCO plots located in Nerul's Sector 28 were sold earlier this week for a record INR 7.65 lakh per square metre, fetching nearly INR 1,500 crore in total. The plots were awarded to Parth Life Spaces through CIDCO's tender process. Real estate experts linked the high bid to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and increasing land scarcity in prime nodes. However, concerns have been raised that such pricing could push average property rates to INR 50,000 per square foot, affecting housing affordability for middle- and lower-income groups in the area.Read more

The National Green Tribunal recently pushed back on Noida and Greater Noida authorities for failing to produce a current, detailed account of unauthorised building activity in the region. It demanded, within three weeks, a new affidavit identifying specific builders, projects and sites citing developments like Pristine Greens, Krishna Elite Homes, Trinity High Street and others built on agricultural or non-designated land without environmental clearance. Earlier submissions were dismissed as outdated and vague. Violations span dozens of villages and include misuse of services to legitimize illegal development. A comprehensive committee may be appointed to evaluate the situation at the tribunal's direction.Read more

Lulu Group has obtained prime land in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on long-term leases from the Andhra Pradesh government for developing mega shopping malls. Visakhapatnam's project spans 13.74 acres with a 13.5 lakh sq ft mall, while Vijayawada involves 4.15 acres for a 2.23 lakh sq ft retail complex. These allotments come with a 99 year lease and a three-year rent-free construction period under the state's tourism land policy. Critics have raised concerns over public land use, displacement of transport infrastructure, environmental risks, and the concessional deal running against legal norms.Read more

Authorities in Indore have uncovered a major land registry scam worth INR 100 crore, involving forged property documents dating back to 1957. An internal audit revealed mismatches in buyer-seller details and missing thumb impressions in 18 suspicious registry entries. A five-member committee confirmed tampering of official records, prompting an FIR under multiple sections of the IPC. The police are investigating possible collusion among registration and municipal staff. The fraud spans residential, commercial, and agricultural plots in prime city locations. In response, a ban was recently imposed on notarising high-value property documents. Forensic verification is underway, with arrests expected as the case unfolds.Read more

The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order temporarily stopping a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme on over 3.5 acres of land designated for Mumbai University. The university claims the land, acquired for academic purposes between 1967 and 1974, was improperly recorded, leading to encroachment and its notification as a slum without the university's knowledge. Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor expressed concern over public land being used for slum redevelopment due to the government's failure to prevent encroachment. The court adjourned the matter to August 11, seeking replies from all parties involved, to clarify whether SRA can approve such a scheme on land meant for a public institution.Read more

Telangana RERA has fined Roy All Diamond Infra Developers INR 4.54 lakh for a fraudulent land deal involving a government employee in Hyderabad. The buyer paid INR 9 lakh for a plot in the "Kaasvi E-City" project, only to later discover that the land belonged to another developer and the RERA number was fake. RERA ruled that Nayak, who posed as a partner, misrepresented ownership and ordered a full refund with 11% interest. The authority also initiated a formal probe into the company's promoters. This case highlights growing concerns over misleading ads and fake RERA claims in Telangana's real estate market.Read more

The Maharashtra government has repealed the 'Tukde Bandi' law, a move expected to benefit thousands of property owners across the state, particularly in Pune, by allowing the regularization of "gunthewari" properties. This decision means land divisions up to one guntha (1,089 sq ft) made before January 1, 2025, can now be regularized, enabling owners to secure property registration and building permits. While the move brings hope for long-awaited property rights, concerns remain over the high regularization charges under the new scheme, which are significantly higher than previous costs, even as the state forms a committee to oversee implementation.Read more

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) is set to launch an innovative one-window system for building permissions on August 15. This system, a first in Maharashtra, aims to simplify the application process for citizens, builders, and architects by enabling online submissions and automated forwarding to relevant departments. With set deadlines for official approvals and online tracking, the initiative promotes transparent governance and efficient service delivery. This move builds on KDMC's history as a digital governance pioneer and aligns with the broader "Ease of Doing Business" agenda, streamlining urban development processes.Read more

Gurugram's Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) demolished 13 unauthorised colonies covering over 40 acres. The crackdown targeted areas in Kadarpur, Dhankot, Kherki Majra and Bhondsi, where illegal plotting, boundary walls, and under-construction buildings were removed. More than 50 structures, including internal roads and plinths, were dismantled. This drive is part of DTCP's broader effort to curb illegal developments and protect planned urban growth. The department also issued warnings in licensed colonies where commercial misuse and construction violations were detected.Read more

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has identified 351 illegal colonies, covering approximately 3,000 acres, and is cautioning residents against investing in these properties. Many of these unauthorized settlements have emerged over the past few decades, with 30 new ones appearing since 2021. Despite regular demolition drives and the development of an AI-enabled detection system, GDA faces challenges, especially with older colonies, as buyers often misunderstand that property registration alone provides legal validity. This issue, exacerbated by middlemen, highlights a persistent legacy problem in urban planning and enforcement across Ghaziabad.Read more

The Delhi High Court has recently sought responses from the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) regarding a petition to ban unauthorized constructions in areas like Jaitpur Extension and Badarpur. The plea, filed by advocates Shiv Shankar and Ajay Kumar Singh Chauhan, argues that these illegal structures pose safety risks, cause accidents, including building collapses, and hinder the regularization of colonies. The petition also claims widespread corruption among officials, stating minimal action has been taken against thousands of unauthorized buildings, a situation that highlights ongoing challenges in urban planning and enforcement.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertook a demolition drive in Ghansoli after unauthorised RCC construction continued despite prior notice. The action was initiated under the guidance of the Municipal Commissioner and senior civic officials, targeting illegal work on a ground-floor column and a progressing first-floor slab by a local developer. The civic team, supported by police personnel, deployed labourers and breakers to remove the structure. The NMMC confirmed that similar encroachments would face intensified enforcement going forward.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced plans to reintroduce the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS) and Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) in response to the rising number of unauthorised constructions across the state. A recent assessment revealed over 35,000 buildings that have never been taxed and more than 25,000 illegal layouts. These schemes, originally implemented during the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, aim to legalize unapproved constructions and bring them under municipal regulation. However, before implementation, the state must obtain approval from the Cabinet and clearance from the High Court, which had earlier raised concerns that such schemes could encourage future violations.Read more

Punjab has revised its land-pooling policy to offer improved financial incentives, faster approvals, and wider inclusion of small landowners. Farmers now get INR 50,000 per acre upfront, INR 1,00,000 annually (with 10% hike for delays), and the option of both residential and commercial plots in return for contributed land. The updated policy applies to over 40,000 acres and assures no forced acquisition, no third-party interference, and full rights to farmers. Despite these changes, protests led by political and farmer groups continue, who claim the policy benefits developers at the cost of rural communities.Read more

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has initiated an e-auction process for around 200 residential plots located across some of the city's most sought-after areas, including Basant Kunj, Priyadarshani Colony, Kanpur Road, and both Gomtinagar and its extension. The available plot sizes range from 60 m² to 252m². Complete details including base prices, plot numbers, and location maps are available online. This move follows a recent auction of premium plots and commercial complexes, forming part of the LDA's wider strategy to better utilize idle land and meet the city's growing demand for organized housing.Read more

Following the Maharashtra cabinet's approval to merge civil areas of Pune and Khadki cantonments with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), debate has sparked over Floor Space Index (FSI) norms for redevelopment. Currently capped at 0.5 in cantonment zones, proposed revisions to 1.0 still fall short of PMC's existing FSI range of 1.1 to 3.0. Residents and developers are urging clarity to ensure fair development post-merger. The process awaits final notification from the Centre and requires coordination among PMC, the Defence Ministry, and other agencies. The merger is part of a nationwide move to integrate cantonment civil areas with municipal bodies to streamline governance.Read more

Housing societies across Maharashtra are in limbo over the non-agricultural (NA) tax, despite a state cabinet decision to abolish it for residential areas within municipal limits. Without a formal government resolution (GR), the waiver remains unenforceable. Revenue authorities continue to issue tax demand notices-over 300 in Pune alone-leaving societies burdened by penalties and legal threats. The NA tax, a colonial-era levy on land converted from agricultural to residential use, was expected to be scrapped last year. Divided over whether to pay or wait, many societies and welfare associations are urging the government to act. Officials cite election-related delays for the holdup.Read more

Karnataka's land digitisation drive has converted over 320 million pages of records into secure digital formats, aiming for 1 billion pages by year-end. The initiative, accessible via the Bhu Suraksha portal and local offices, ensures faster, tamper-proof access to land documents. Category A and B records are now digitally available, with rural Bapuji Seva Kendras set to be included soon. A multi-tier review process and encrypted storage with audit logs uphold accuracy and security. While rural districts like Belagavi and Vijayapura show strong progress, Bengaluru Urban lags behind. Once complete, the system will ease delays and protect landowners from fraud and document loss.Read more