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

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