Rajendra Lodha, a former director at Lodha Developers, was arrested in Mumbai on September 17 in connection with an alleged fraud uncovered during an ongoing investigation. Lodha was taken into custody from his Worli residence by the Mumbai Crime Branch property cell and brought to court, which remanded him to police custody until September 23. He had resigned from all positions at Lodha Developers on August 17, 2025, at the company's request, after an ethics committee reviewed his conduct. Lodha Developers has referred the matter to authorities and is implementing recommendations from an external review.Read more

Hongkong Land has signed an agreement to divest its residential development arm, MCL Land, to a subsidiary of Malaysia's Sunway for SGD 739 million (about USD 578 million). The company plans to use the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and raise its ongoing share buyback by USD 150 million, in addition to the USD 200 million programme already underway. The move forms part of Hongkong Land's long-term 2035 strategy to exit the build-to-sell; residential sector and prioritise ultra-premium commercial properties in major Asian cities. Despite this shift, Singapore continues to remain a core focus market.Read more

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has proposed forming a special revenue team to manage land pooling for the upcoming Infopark Phase III campus in Kochi. Covering over 300 acres, the project recently received in-principle approval from the state's Electronics and IT Department. The team, led by a senior official, will include revenue staff, surveyors, and a legal expert to ensure a structured and transparent process. Landowners will be engaged to voluntarily pool land, which will then be reconstituted into developed plots and returned. A memorandum of understanding between GCDA and Infopark is expected soon, paving the way for phased development.Read more

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has begun resolving long-pending land disputes that have stalled registrations for more than 800 industrial and institutional plots. Many of the delays date back to 2013, with road construction halted at nearly 590 points due to withheld or disputed land. Officials report over 150 disputes already settled, with more nearing resolution. Plot registration and possession will only proceed once road networks are completed, though no deadline has been fixed. YEIDA has also set a target to operationalise over 100 industries by year-end; currently, only 15 are active while more than 400 remain under construction.Read more

The Noida Authority has begun a large-scale topographic survey to expand land reserves and support future development. Covering areas along the Yamuna and Noida expressways, the Hindon River, Sector 150, and internal drains, the study will map elevation, depth, size, and location of land parcels. This will help identify vacant plots, detect encroachments, and flag zones unsuitable for construction due to water bodies or flood risks. Sector 147 is a priority, with readiness for development under review. Findings will guide the allocation of land for residential, commercial, or institutional use while protecting ecologically sensitive areas, ensuring Noida's growth is structured, transparent, and sustainable.Read more

Authorities in Panchkula have demolished nearly 100 illegal shops, dhabas, and stalls at Majri Chowk as part of a large anti-encroachment drive led by the Municipal Corporation and Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). The land, meant for residential use, had never been approved for commercial activity. Officials plan to use the cleared site to rehabilitate families from Gandhi Colony, where many live in slum-like conditions. A survey is underway to identify genuine residents, with around 1,000 structures counted but many found vacant or used for livestock. Eligible families will receive 10-by-10-foot plots, marking a move towards organised housing and improved living standards.Read more

The Odisha government is preparing to roll out a comprehensive urban parking policy to tackle increasing traffic congestion in major cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, and Rourkela. A consultative workshop, organized by the Odisha Urban Academy in coordination with the Housing and Urban Development Department, gathered officials, urban planners, transport experts, and civil society representatives to discuss the policy framework. The draft policy focuses on demand-based parking charges, regulation of on- and off-street parking, promotion of sustainable transport options, integration with public transport, and the use of smart technologies for efficient parking management.Read more

After a building collapse in Jaipur's Walled City that killed two people, the Heritage wing of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC-H) has issued eviction notices to 23 building owners in Kishanpole zone and demolished a part of the collapsed structure in Subhash Chowk. Temporary shelters have also been arranged for displaced families. The action follows repeated safety warnings and highlights concerns over old buildings, unauthorized structures, and the need for better monitoring in heritage areas.Read more

The Maharashtra government has cleared land allotment in 930 villages for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to install mobile towers and improve 4G coverage in rural and tribal areas. Each tower site will get 200 square metres of land free of cost, as per a cabinet decision from 2022. Earlier approvals covered 2,751 villages, but technical issues prevented tower installation at several sites, leading to a revised list. The latest order spans 30 districts, with officials asked to provide quick approvals and ensure electricity, fibre connectivity, and other basic facilities.Read more

The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has intensified its efforts to curb illegal land activities in the Dehradun region. In the past month, the authority reclaimed over 150 bighas of illegally plotted land and sealed numerous unauthorized multi-storey buildings. The crackdown focused on areas such as Bhaniyawala, Haridwar Bypass Road, and Rishikesh. MDDA officials have emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures and have advised the public to verify land ownership and approvals before purchasing plots.Read more

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), part of the GMR Group, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court decision that directed GMR Group Chairman GM Rao to vacate his residence at Pushpanjali Farms. The High Court had ruled that the lease agreement between DIAL and the previous property owner had been terminated, and the land, purchased by Onkar Infotech, should be handed over. DIAL argues that the property serves mixed purposes, and the unregistered lease creates ambiguity over possession. The case raises broader questions on unregistered leases and land reforms.Read more

The Godrej Enterprise Group (GEG), among Mumbai's largest private landholders, has initiated a master planning exercise for its 1,000-acre parcel in Vikhroli. Executive director Nyrika Holkar stated that while some manufacturing activities had shifted out of the site, operations would continue at Vikhroli alongside long-term systematic development. The land, largely controlled by the Jamshyd Godrej and Smita Crishna branch of the family, also accommodates Godrej & Boyce businesses, leased IT offices, and environmentally sensitive mangroves.Read more

Chandigarh has completed the drone survey phase of the NAKSHA pilot programme, covering five villages and 15 city sectors. The next phase of field verification is set to start soon, involving 20 survey teams. The programme, part of the central government's Digital India Land Records Modernisation initiative, aims to digitize land records, reduce disputes, improve urban planning, and make property transactions more transparent and efficient. This initiative also introduces Urban Property (UrPro) cards for properties in the Lal Dora areas.Read more

The West Bengal Cabinet has approved a policy that will allow under-utilised non-residential plots under the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department to be converted for housing or real estate use. The Chief Minister Smt Mamta Banerjee chaired the meeting. The cabinet explained that much of this land was allotted years ago for employee housing but is now left unused. A conversion will require a government-set fee, with detailed implementation guidelines to follow soon. The move follows earlier changes in land policies, including leasehold-to-freehold conversions and a review of land ceiling rules.Read more

The Philippines has introduced a new law allowing foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years, replacing the previous 50-year lease term with a 25-year extension. This move aims to enhance the country's competitiveness in attracting long-term offshore funding for commercial and industrial projects. The law addresses investor concerns about lease contract stability, especially for multi-decade investments, as the Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign ownership of private land.Read more

The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended a careful and measured approach to demolitions in Faridabad's Aravalli region. While stressing the need to remove illegal constructions, the CEC emphasizes distinguishing unauthorized luxury developments from genuine village homes. The committee has suggested close coordination between district authorities and local representatives and recommends demarcating village peripheries with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to avoid permanent loss of forest land. Past reports indicate thousands of homes already occupy protected forest areas.Read more

Max Estates Ltd has finalised the acquisition of a 7.25-acre land parcel in Gurugram through its takeover of Base Buildwell Private Limited (BBPL). The land, located at Sector 59, Golf Course Extension Road, is expected to generate more than INR 3,000 crore in sales. With an estimated development potential of 1.3 million square feet, the project strengthens the company's residential strategy in Delhi-NCR.Read more

A Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee has reported that nearly 6,800 illegal structures have been raised on approximately 780 acres of deemed forest land in Faridabad, in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The committee's findings show large-scale encroachments spread across villages such as Anangpur, Ankhir, Lakkarpur, and Mewla Maharajpur, with Anangpur recording the highest number. While earlier demolitions brought down some of the constructions, many still remain. The committee has also pointed out that several government departments themselves are responsible for some of the illegal developments.Read more

The latest property auction by Chandigarh's UT Estate Office drew strong investor response, with total sales touching INR 168.85 crore against a reserve of INR 75.29 crore. A 1,014 square yard plot in Sector 33 stood out, colllecting INR 33.4 crore over double its reserve price of INR 14.9 crore. Even smaller plots such as a 126 square yard site sold at INR 4 crore, more than twice the base value. Out of 20 properties offered, 15 including residential and commercial were sold successfully, while five commercial plots will be re-auctioned. The process was fully digital, receiving 288 applications and 587 bids.Read more

Kartik Aaryan has entered the land market with his first purchase a 2,000-square-foot plot in Alibaug priced at INR 2 crore. The plot is located within the Chateau de Alibaug project by HoABL, which has already attracted high-profile buyers including Amitabh Bachchan and Kriti Sanon. The project offers premium amenities such as clubhouses, rooftop gardens, and duplex layouts with private pools. Aaryan shared that he plans to build his own home there, while the developer noted his entry highlights the growing demand for luxury land ownership in Alibaug, supported by better infrastructure links to Mumbai.Read more