Following fresh orders from the National Green Tribunal, authorities in Gurgaon have demolished 15 illegal farmhouses built on protected forest land in the Aravali region, covering about 30 acres across eco-sensitive areas like Gwalpahari, Abheypur, and Manesar. The drive, supervised by a duty magistrate, followed show-cause notices and hearings for violators. Meanwhile, Haryana officials have identified over 6,700 illegal constructions in Faridabad's protected zones, with phased demolitions underway. While activists welcome the action, they say enforcement is still reactive, highlighting the need for stricter, preventive measures to protect the fragile Aravali ecosystem from further encroachment and ecological damage.Read more

The Punjab Cabinet has revamped the state's industrial land conversion policy, making it easier for owners of plots between 1,000 and 4,000 sq yd to shift to commercial uses like healthcare, hospitality, offices, education, and rental housing, subject to local zoning and road width rules. A flat 12.5% conversion fee simplifies what was once a complex process. Larger industrial plots can now be redeveloped into integrated parks with industrial, residential, and commercial spaces. Leasehold plots can also be converted to freehold, potentially generating INR 1,000 crore in fees. The government is also rolling out digital tools and new rules to speed up approvals and reduce red tape.Read more

The municipal government has kicked off an ambitious urban renewal effort by relocating nine slum clusters from Bhopal's city centre to sites within a 3-5 km radius. Around 14,000 permanent homes will be built via a Public-Private Partnership on government land. This move part of the wider Jhuggi Mukt Bhopal Yojana aims to free up 125 acres in the heart of the city and revamp living standards across 388 slums impacting 150,000 households. It follows previous survey efforts and on-site redevelopment plans near high-security zones that were abandoned to avoid security issues.Read more

Tiruvallur district authorities have appealed to the NGT for an extension in their ongoing eviction drive targeting 194 illegal structures built along Vilinjiyambakkam lake in Avadi, Chennai. Of these, 79 structures comprising 49 homes and 30 shops have already been removed. The remaining families are in the process of being relocated through government housing schemes or alternate land allocations. The lake, once spread over 100 acres, has shrunk drastically due to encroachments and untreated sewage. Although the NGT had passed eviction orders earlier, procedural delays and local resistance stalled progress. Officials now seek more time to complete the operation without displacing residents abruptly.Read more

Rane (Madras) Ltd finalised the sale of a 3.48-acre plot in Velachery, Chennai, to Canopy Living LLP, a joint venture between Prestige Estates Projects Ltd and Arihant Foundations & Housing for INR 361 crore. The strategic monetisation, facilitated by CBRE, is part of Rane's broader plan to reduce debt and streamline its city office operations. The remaining 1.02 acres of the 4.5-acre site will be retained by Rane (Madras) for setting up a new office.Read more

Narayana Hrudayalaya has acquired over 46,000 sq. ft. of land in Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, for INR 246 crore through three deals-the largest involving 93,500 sq. ft. from Kelachandra Veneer Industries. While development plans remain undisclosed, the purchase aligns with the hospital chain's expansion strategy in south Bengaluru. Founded by Dr. Devi Shetty, the company operates 18 hospitals across India and has been strengthening its presence in the city's growing healthcare corridor. The acquisition follows a prior land deal in Begur Hobli worth INR 169 crore. The area's rising real estate value and improved infrastructure make it a hotspot for institutional investments.Read more

The BMC has leased an 8,116 sq. m land parcel near Crawford Market, home to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market, for INR 369 crore-13% below the base price of INR 428 crore. Awarded to AAV Developers LLP for 30 years, the deal includes provisions for public infrastructure like a staircase, lift, and escalators for a planned foot over-bridge linking CSMT station to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai. Despite concerns over public utility and limited bidding-only two offers were received-the sale is part of BMC's strategy to ease financial pressure from infrastructure liabilities, which now exceed INR 2 lakh crore.Read more

Aseem Infrastructure Finance Ltd. (AIFL), an RBI-registered Infrastructure Finance Company backed by the Government of India through NIIF, has secured its first USD 80 million External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) and green loan from DBS Bank Ltd. Structured and arranged solely by DBS through its GIFT City branch, the funds will accelerate the financing of renewable energy projects across India. The transaction also marks DBS's role as the sole sustainability coordinator, reinforcing its leadership in responsible banking. India's clean energy ambitions, including the 2030 target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity, continue to attract strategic green financing.Read more

The Firozpur Feeder Reconstruction Project, a joint initiative between Rajasthan and Punjab, is moving forward with approvals and funding commitments. With a sanctioned cost of INR 647.62 crore, the project seeks to enhance the Gang Canal system's capacity to support irrigation in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts. Punjab has agreed in principle to contribute INR 379.12 crore, while Rajasthan will fund INR 268.50 crore. The initiative is expected to significantly benefit over 3.14 lakh hectares of agricultural land.Read more

Farmers giving land for Lucknow's IT City along Sultanpur Road are set to gain nearly 10 times more than traditional land acquisition offers, thanks to a voluntary land pooling model. Instead of cash, they receive a share in developed or undeveloped land, allowing them to benefit from future value growth. So far, over 350 bighas have been pooled. Spread across 2,858 acres, the project includes residential, industrial, commercial, and green zones. Improved road connectivity and strict development oversight by the LDA add to its appeal. Inspired by Pune's Magarpatta model, this approach promotes farmer-inclusive urbanisation with long-term benefits for landowners.Read more

The Maharashtra Industrial Township Ltd (MITL) has allotted more than 60 acres of land in the Bidkin node of Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) to six companies planning a combined investment of INR 1,261.2 crore. The industrial units will focus on manufacturing auto components, steam boilers, and solar cells, potentially generating 3,288 direct jobs. Junna Solar Systems Ltd has emerged as the largest investor among them with an investment of INR 400 crore. The region has so far seen 185 land allotments, 79 of which are already operational.Read more

The Chandigarh UT administration has set a reserve price of INR 11,850 per sq yd for auctioning nearly 7 acres of land in Manimajra, aiming to revive its land monetisation strategy. The plots, spanning residential, commercial, and institutional use, will be auctioned online, with residential plots 1-5 offered on a freehold basis and others on a 99-year leasehold. The administration has also sought Union Cabinet approval to allot land at collector rate for constructing 3,930 self-financed apartments for UT employees. The Municipal Corporation expects to generate over INR 400 crore from an upcoming auction in nearby pocket 6.Read more

Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has moved e-Khata application submissions to Belagavi One centres to curb corruption and reduce delays. Following a surprise inspection revealing manipulation by agents, Commissioner Shubha B suspended manual processing and launched a digital-first system. Citizens can now submit applications directly at two active centres, with two more opening soon. A nominal INR 25 fee is charged, with no middlemen allowed. In 48 hours, BCC cleared 3,854 pending applications. Despite brief server issues, operations are stabilising. The initiative follows a state directive to resolve e-Khata cases within three months and includes public info boards and a helpline for assistance.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has carried out a demolition drive in the Ghansoli area against unauthorised constructions, which continued despite prior notices issued under Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The demolition was ordered by the civic chief and executed under the supervision of senior officials. RCC structures rising up to four storeys were razed as they lacked necessary permissions. Officials have signalled a stricter crackdown on future violations across the region.Read more

The Bombay High Court has struck down Section 17(2) of Goa's Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, criticising unchecked land-use conversions in Bardez taluka, including Calangute and Candolim. Between March 2023 and early 2024, over 353 approvals reclassified 2.65 million sqm of orchards and paddy fields into settlement zones-bypassing planning norms and public scrutiny. The court called the move 'disastrous,' highlighting systemic failures in Goa's urban planning. This follows past judicial interventions halting Outline Development Plans and the 2021 Regional Plan notification. While the Goa government has appealed the decision, the ruling marks a win for civic groups seeking transparent, eco-sensitive development.Read more

A commercial land parcel in Gachibowli, Hyderabad fetched an impressive INR 2.2 lakh per square yard during a government auction held this past week, closing at a total value of INR 33 crore. A second plot in the same locality was snapped up for INR 11 crore, underlining the growing investor interest in this prime zone. The Telangana Housing Board's auction, which also included land parcels in Chintal, Nizampet, and other locations, amassed a total of INR 65 crore. The surge reflects Hyderabad's upward trajectory in high-value real estate, especially in commercial segments.Read more

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has hinted at upcoming land law reforms aimed at easing property development restrictions on smaller land parcels, particularly in urban areas like Nagpur. A new law, expected in the monsoon session, will allow development on one-guntha plots (1,000 sq. ft.) in residential zones, effectively amending current rules that limit land fragmentation. The move is expected to simplify property transactions and boost housing availability. The minister also confirmed that residents of Kumbhari village, affected by land acquisition near Nagpur, will receive full rehabilitation benefits. The proposed reforms aim to balance urban planning with increased flexibility in land use.Read more

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) is developing 10 high-tech sectors across 2,858 acres near Sultanpur Road and Kisan Path, with designated zones for IT parks, housing, commercial hubs, civic spaces, and institutions. An additional 188 acres are allocated for a Central Park and golf course. The layout features a grid-road system and eco-friendly planning, including rainwater harvesting and green-building standards. Public transport will be supported with dedicated bus, cycling, and pedestrian lanes. LDA's land-pooling scheme has secured 186 acres from 39 landowners, enabling plans for 5,000 residential plots and extensive industrial and commercial development, all aimed at job creation and regional growth.Read more

The BMC has launched a detailed land survey on a six-acre plot in Lower Parel after the Supreme Court denied ownership claims by Century Textiles and Industries Ltd. The survey, expected to take over a month, will document structures, encroachments, and tree cover. The land, leased in 1927 for worker housing, currently houses around 450 tenants. Aditya Birla Real Estate, linked to Century Textiles, has formally handed over possession. BMC has asked for the company's name to be removed from official records and is now exploring legal options on whether the land use can change and how existing residents should be re-accommodated.Read more

India's commercial real estate sector is seeing a strategic pivot, with outdoor advertising evolving into a major revenue source. As malls become leisure destinations and office complexes adopt mixed-use models, developers are increasingly monetising outdoor spaces through high-impact digital displays, facades, rooftops, and transition points. Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising, valued at USD 284 million in 2024, is projected to more than double by 2030. With revenue shares from advertising reaching up to 12% in some commercial properties, both developers and tech firms are exploring innovative formats to maximise brand engagement in high-traffic zones.Read more