The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has temporarily halted its online building map approval system to implement the recently revised building bylaws issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. During this transition phase, all building plan approvals will be processed manually, significantly increasing the turnaround time from a few days to nearly a month. This move is expected to impact GDA's monthly revenue, which averages around INR 34 crore. The revised bylaws allow for higher floor area ratios and reduced plot size requirements for group housing projects, aiming to promote vertical development.Read more

In a major boost for Bengaluru property owners, the Karnataka Cabinet has approved the regularization of B-Khata properties issued by BBMP up to September 30, 2024, granting them A-Khata status. This shift enables access to civic amenities, bank loans, and legal transactions. B-Khatas, issued for properties with minor norm deviations or incomplete approvals, had long faced legal and service restrictions. Properties with valid government circulars will now be treated as compliant, while others may be regularized under forthcoming guidelines. The cabinet also moved to resolve land acquisition anomalies and approved five new municipal corporations-ushering in wide-reaching reforms in Bengaluru's urban governance and property framework.Read more

Brigade Enterprises Ltd has acquired a 20.19-acre plot in the Whitefield-Hoskote corridor of Bengaluru for INR 588.33 crore to develop a residential-cum-commercial project with a 4.2 million sq ft development potential. The company anticipates revenue of INR 5,200 crore from the project. Positioned as a landmark development, the project forms a part of Brigade's ongoing growth strategy in South India, where the firm already holds a strong presence.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertook a major demolition initiative targeting unauthorised constructions in Nerul, Airoli, and Belapur. Despite prior notices issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, many offenders failed to remove illegal structures. The drive, executed under directives from the municipal commissioner and senior officials, resulted in partial and complete demolition of illegal extensions. Equipment including gas cutters, hammers, and labourers were deployed, and a penalty of INR 50,000 was collected during the operation in Airoli. The civic body has indicated its commitment to continuing such stringent enforcement efforts.Read more

Two unsafe buildings in Margao, Goa, 'Cabecca de Calconde' and Indira Apartments, are set for demolition after delays. The 'Cabecca de Calconde' building, deemed beyond repair in 2018, has seen its demolition pending over 1.5 years despite a November 2023 collector's order. Recent parapet collapses prompted swift action and a May 27 order for immediate demolition. The PWD has shortlisted agencies, but the demolition depends on the Margao Municipal Council's ability to vacate the remaining occupants.Read more

The Gujarat government has rolled out a revamped township policy to boost private participation in large-scale, self-sufficient townships. Addressing shortcomings of its 2009 policy, the new plan offers higher FSI, stamp duty waivers, and lower municipal fees to attract developers. To ease land challenges, the government may provide its own land in difficult-to-aggregate areas. A state-wide redevelopment and Transferable Development Rights (TDR) framework is also in the works, allowing developers to use TDRs across cities. Managed by digital city-level committees, the new system aims for transparent, fair valuations. The inter-city TDR model follows successful examples from Mumbai and Pune.Read more

The Punjab government has initiated a major overhaul of the Banur Master Plan by proposing the conversion of vast stretches of agricultural land across nearly 18 villages into residential zones. This decision follows continuous demands from gram panchayats and locals seeking better land utilisation in light of growing housing demand. The updated plan includes four new residential sectors to be developed in phases. Authorities have called for public objections or suggestions before formal implementation.Read more

Mumbai Police have filed an FIR against Hiranandani Builders & Developers for unauthorized excavation and soil erosion near the Powai helipad. The BMC issued a notice on July 7, 2025, but work on the 300m long, 4-5m wide, and 1-2m deep excavation continued despite a stop-work order issued on July 5. The case, registered under sections 52 and 43 of the MRTP Act, highlights continued activity even after civic body intervention. This action follows the BMC approaching police after its notices were not complied with.Read more

The Karnataka government has scrapped plans to acquire 1,777 acres in Devanahalli for an aerospace and defence park, following years of sustained protests by local farmers. Going forward, land will only be acquired from willing sellers, with compensation offered above guidance value and 10% of developed plots allocated in return. Farmers who choose not to sell can continue cultivation, with their land remaining part of the green belt. The revised approach balances development with livelihoods, avoiding forced displacement. Officials say the move respects public sentiment while keeping the door open for voluntary industrial collaboration in a region already key to India's aerospace ecosystem.Read more

Over the past three and a half years, Indian developers have launched residential plots worth an estimated INR 2.44 lakh crore across 10 prominent tier-I and tier-II cities, according to PropEquity. A total of nearly 4.7 lakh plots were introduced between January 2022 and May 2025. Cities like Hyderabad, Indore, Bengaluru, and Chennai led the trend, driven by rising demand for customisable homes and long-term investment potential. Despite a 23% annual decline in supply in 2024, prices surged 27% year-on-year, highlighting continued interest. The first five months of 2025 alone witnessed over 45,000 new plot launches.Read more

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has introduced a new initiative allowing landowners to develop amenities on reserved land in exchange for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). This aims to accelerate public facility development and compensate property owners. Aligned with Maharashtra's Unified DCPR (December 2020), the policy enables NMC to develop 425 reserved lands, bypassing direct budget acquisition. A committee, chaired by the NMC commissioner, will oversee the process, streamlining urban development and benefiting both the public and landowners in Nashik.Read more

Andhra Pradesh is facing a land registration crisis, with the registration of approximately 20 lakh acres of assigned lands on hold due to suspected record tampering. This ongoing freeze prevents farmers from selling their lands. Despite government efforts, including village-level meetings and a Group of Ministers, a solution remains elusive. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad hopes for resolution by October, stating the delay protects genuine landowners.Read more

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