Hyderabad's Housing Minister, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, announced plans for four 100-acre housing colonies across Greater Hyderabad, catering to low, middle, and higher-income groups. Additionally, the Indiramma housing initiative aims to construct 500,000 houses in its first phase, with a long-term goal of building 2 million homes within four years. The government will provide financial assistance of INR 5 lakh per family in four installments to ease construction costs. With over 80 lakh applications for Indiramma houses and 32 lakh reviewed, the initiative addresses Hyderabad's pressing affordable housing needs. Public-private partnerships are also being explored to accelerate development and improve housing quality.Read more

Hyderabad's illegal construction crisis, with 250,000 writ petitions in five years, has prompted the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to introduce an online portal for tracking violations. This tool will enable citizens to report unauthorized structures and monitor actions from complaints to demolitions. Responding to Telangana High Court directives, GHMC plans stricter enforcement, including criminal charges and fines of up to 400% for violations. Collaboration with the Stamps and Registration Department will flag properties with 'unauthorized construction' on encumbrance certificates, deterring buyers. Public awareness campaigns and SOPs aim to reduce unauthorized expansions and safeguard Hyderabad's urban growth and infrastructure.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at two Hyderabad premises connected to real estate firms and their promoters under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The raids uncovered jewellery and bullion worth INR 5.4 crore, unaccounted cash amounting to INR 72.7 lakh, and incriminating documents. The investigation revealed that these firms defrauded buyers of INR 842 crore through fraudulent practices, including misappropriating INR 216.9 crore in cash. Further irregularities were found, such as high-value property transactions and unaccounted funds. Despite summonses, the promoters remained non-cooperative, obstructing the probe. Previously, assets worth INR 161.5 crore had been attached in connection with the case.Read more

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The Hyderabad Disaster and Response Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) clarified that residential properties built before July 2024 are exempt from its regulations, but unauthorised commercial buildings will face demolition. Commissioner AV Ranganath emphasized protecting water bodies and curbing illegal construction, particularly near Kamuni Cheruvu and Maisamma Cheruvu lakes in Kukatpally and Moosapet. He criticised Vasavi Group for delaying a flood canal project, exacerbating monsoon flooding in nearby slums, and directed its completion by next monsoon. HYDRAA aims to safeguard urban water bodies, tackle encroachments, and ensure proper urban development, urging residents to actively participate in these efforts.Read more

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The Telangana High Court has mandated the removal of unauthorised structures along the Musi River, supporting the Musi Riverfront Development Project in Hyderabad. The court instructed agencies like HYDRAA to issue notices to encroachers and conduct a socio-economic survey to rehabilitate displaced residents. The ruling emphasises preventing sewage pollution and compensating affected landowners. Opposition parties have criticised the move, citing inadequate notice for demolitions. The project aims to restore the river's ecological health, improve urban landscapes, and enhance transport networks. While transformative for Hyderabad, the initiative faces challenges in balancing environmental goals with residents' rights and urban development priorities.Read more

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Phase 2 of the Hyderabad Metro is set to cover 76.4 kilometers across five corridors, down from the initially planned 116.4 kilometers, with the proposed fourth city Metro connectivity of 40 kilometers on hold. Expected to serve 800,000 passengers daily, this phase prioritizes immediate urban mobility needs. The first construction focus will be a 7.5-kilometer expansion of the Old City corridor, with demolitions anticipated by the end of the year. The project will also introduce a double-decker flyover and utilize modern construction techniques to accelerate development.Read more

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Western Hyderabad, a hotspot for prime real estate, has become a center for unauthorized construction, with nearly 40% of the city's illegal buildings concentrated in the region. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) identified 1,500 such structures citywide this year, demolishing 1,000, primarily in areas like Moosapet, Kukatpally, and Chandanagar. Violations include unauthorized extra floors, encroachments, and deviations from approved plans. Some property owners exploit legal loopholes, misuse permits, or secure unauthorized utility connections. Following incidents like the demolition of a tilted building in Siddique Nagar, GHMC launched surveys to address violations, focusing on congested zones. Stricter enforcement aims to curb this growing issue.Read more

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The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) demolished a five-storey building in Gachibowli for being constructed without proper permissions. Built on a 50-square-yard plot, the structure posed safety risks after excavation on an adjacent plot damaged its pillars. The neighbouring plot owner failed to meet setback requirements, prompting a police case. GHMC is consulting legal experts to take further action against the building's owner, who had been paying utility bills despite lacking approvals. This incident underscores the challenges of unauthorised constructions in Hyderabad, with authorities pledging stricter enforcement of building norms to ensure safety in the city's rapidly expanding areas.Read more

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In response to criticism over delays in building permission approvals, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has set a deadline for officers to clear applications within 10 days. A special drive has been launched to reduce pending applications older than 30 days, with positive results already observed. From June to October, HMDA received 1,884 applications, marking a 396 increase compared to the previous year. The disposal of applications has also risen by 14%, showcasing improved efficiency. HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmad expressed confidence that these measures would continue to improve the approval process and address concerns from developers and builders.Read more

The Telangana government has initiated the Metro Rail Project Phase II, covering a total of 116 km, including a significant stretch from Shamshabad Airport. While field surveys are ongoing for this section, the remaining five corridors totalling approximately 76.4 km will be taken up immediately. Emphasising the project's importance in reducing traffic congestion and pollution in Greater Hyderabad, officials highlighted the successful completion of Phase I. The government has also reassessed and revised the Phase II proposals based on experiences from the first phase.Read more

Hyderabad's housing market remains resilient, with a significant 20% growth in total sales value during the September 2024 quarter, despite a slight sequential dip. Square Yards reported a 7% rise in annual residential transactions, while leading developers like Aparna Constructions and Prestige Group observed strong demand for projects near the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The city saw a shift towards mid-to-high priced properties, with larger home configurations gaining popularity. The Western suburbs led in both transaction volume and sales value, underscoring the area's appeal among homebuyers and investors.Read more

Hyderabad is gearing up for a major metro expansion with the Phase 2 project, including a 40-km line connecting Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to the proposed 'Fourth City' at Mucherla. The project, which involves six new corridors covering 116.2 km, will integrate key areas like Patancheru, Kokapet Neopolis, and Hyderabad's Old City. This expansion, estimated at INR 32,237 crore, is expected to transform urban mobility, especially with the revised airport metro alignment now running via Aramghar and NH-44Read more

iSprout, a prominent player in the managed office space industry, has leased an additional 1 million square feet of workspace in key locations across Hyderabad, bringing its total managed space in the city to 1.7 million sq. ft. This expansion includes prime spots like SAS iTower, iSprout Tower at Minaas, and Trendset Jayabheri Connect. The move underlines iSprout's commitment to providing modern, flexible workspaces that cater to the growing demand for innovation and productivity, positioning the company for continued growth by 2025.Read more

Amid ongoing confusion over regulations for construction near lakes and water bodies, the HMDA and GHMC have paused approvals for 400-500 building and layout applications. While no official order halts permissions, uncertainties surrounding Full Tank Levels (FTL) and buffer zones have prompted delays. Real estate developers fear these setbacks, especially during the key October-December buying season, may impact the market. The Hyderabad River Authority and Lake Area Administration (HYDRAA) has tightened oversight, leading to suspensions and legal action against officials involved in prior irregular approvals.Read more

91Springboard, a pioneer in coworking spaces in India, has opened its third hub in Hyderabad's HITEC City, increasing its total workspace to 1,40,000 sq. ft across the city. Located at Raheja Commerzone Hetero Tower, this 48,000 sq. ft hub offers customised office solutions for businesses of all sizes, blending flexible spaces with cutting-edge design and amenities. With its strategic location and exceptional services, the hub aims to cater to the evolving needs of modern enterprises and professionals while enhancing their work experience.Read more

In light of the demolition of buildings near the full tank level (FTL) and buffer zones by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA), banks are adopting a more cautious approach to house loan approvals. Sources reveal that loan sanctioning teams must strictly adhere to construction plans, with no allowances for the usual 10% deviation. Officials are now required to conduct field visits instead of relying solely on assessments from engineers. Although revised guidelines are not yet issued, the process is expected to become more structured, affecting property purchases and complicating recovery of loans for demolished structures.Read more

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is considering a system allowing property owners to pay taxes monthly instead of annually, aiming to ease financial pressure. The proposal would offer 12 equal instalments, particularly for properties with taxes over INR 3,000. GHMC expects to collect INR 150-170 crore monthly, ensuring a steady cash flow for city development projects. With 1.9 million property tax assessments, GHMC aims to reduce unpaid taxes by making payments more manageable. This initiative aligns with GHMC's goal to modernise revenue collection and improve tax compliance while supporting ongoing urban development.Read more

In the wake of merging 51 villages with neighboring municipalities in Hyderabad, there has been a notable rise in unauthorized building permits issued by panchayat officials, who continued using the e-Panchayat website despite the merger. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority is responsible for permits for structures with three or more floors, but panchayats bypassed established procedures. In response, the municipal administration department has directed residents to use the TG-bPASS (Telangana Building Permission Approval and Self-Certification System) website for all building permits. District panchayat officials have sealed records while awaiting further instructions on the demerger process.Read more

Tensions have escalated in Raidurg Paigah village, Hyderabad, following a demolition drive by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Telangana Leather Industrial Development Corporation (TLIDC) to clear 5.8 acres for the Unity Mall project. While the INR 200 crore mall promises economic growth, locals protest, asserting legal ownership of the land. The TLIDC claims rights to 42 acres, insisting residents have no legal claim. The conflict highlights the ongoing struggle between urban development and residents' rights, with the outcome potentially impacting property rights in Hyderabad.Read more

Hyderabad's real estate market is booming, with over 46,000 homes registered in 2024, leading to a 40% revenue increase compared to last year. In July 2024 alone, 7,124 homes were registered, totaling INR 4,266 crore- a 48% year-on-year increase. The surge in home ownership interest has also boosted state revenue from stamp duty, reaching INR 28,578 crore from January to June 2024. The market covers four districts: Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, and Sangareddy, with a growing trend towards luxury homes. In July 2024, demand for properties over INR 1 crore surged by 94%, while interest in larger homes also increased. Buyer preferences are shifting, with more focus on premium and spacious properties.Read more