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Kolkata's first metro link to the airport is nearing completion, with trial runs for the 7-kilometre Noapara-Jai Hind stretch starting in December 2024 and an official launch set for March 2025. Part of the Yellow Line's Phase I expansion, the link aims to ease traffic congestion and provide a seamless commute for air travelers. Multi-line connectivity will enhance access from both southern and northern Kolkata, reducing dependency on taxis and private vehicles. With key infrastructure like fire doors and travelators being finalized, the project aligns with global urban mobility trends, promising enhanced transportation, tourism, and economic growth for the city.Read more
RDB Primarc Techno Park LLP, an affiliate of the Primarc & RDB Group, has agreed to acquire the business operations of DLF Techpark 1 from DLF Infocity Developers for around INR 638 crore on a slump sale basis. The deal covers both the property and its related business services, including rental, property management, and fit-out. The IT park, located in Kolkata, spans 1.49 million square feet of leasable space. JLL facilitated the transaction, with Fox & Mandal advising RDB Primarc, while Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co and PwC represented DLF.Read more
The Calcutta High Court granted an interim stay on the demolition of alleged illegal constructions in Mandarmoni, West Bengal, following a petition from the Mandarmoni Hoteliers' Association. The petitioners contested a demolition notice issued by the West Bengal Coastal Zone Management Authority (WBCZMA), arguing that the absence of a published Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) made the demolition order legally invalid. Justice Amrita Sinha suspended the enforcement of the notice until December 13, pending further review. The court directed respondents to submit reports by December 4, with petitioners allowed to reply by the next hearing on December 10.Read more
The 14-kilometer Purple Line metro project in Kolkatta is expected to be completed by late 2028 or early 2029. The arrival of tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) is expected in December, with operations beginning by March 2025. The project received a boost with the Ministry of Defence's approval to relocate BC Roy Market for Esplanade station construction. A temporary structure for traders is being built, and work is ongoing for the Esplanade station. Additionally, 100% of trees affected by the project will be transplanted. Meanwhile, a two-day trial will test shifting services from Dum Dum to Noapara on the Blue Line.Read more
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has intensified efforts to reclaim encroached government land, recovering 150 bighas, including 121 bighas in Garden Reach. Targeted areas include EM Bypass zones such as Paschim Chowbagha, Nayabad mouza, and Nonadanga. To combat encroachment on East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), KMC and the state land department are collaborating under a chief secretary-led committee. The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has also demolished illegal constructions and lodged 45 FIRs. The reclaimed land will support urban planning, addressing the growing demand for housing and commercial facilities while ensuring sustainable development and deterring future encroachments.Read more
Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) has acquired a 53-acre land parcel in Joka, Kolkata, for a residential plotted development project with an estimated saleable area of 1.3 million sq. ft. and potential revenue of INR 500 crore. This follows GPL's recent acquisition of a 7.5-acre prime plot on Golf Course Road, Gurugram, projected to yield INR 5,500 crore. With robust financial growth-Q2 FY25 collections at INR 4,005 crore (68% YoY increase)-GPL is aggressively expanding across urban centres, including Pune, Noida, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. With six new projects and quality-focused developments, GPL cements its position as a leader in India's real estate sector.Read more
The Orange Line's Phase II extension, from Ruby to Sector V, has faced delays, with the revised deadline now set for March 2025. RVNL, the implementing agency, acknowledged that an 800m viaduct gap at Chingrighata and a 125m gap at Metropolitan have hindered progress. Despite these setbacks, the project has overcome significant land hurdles and received safety approval for the Ruby-Metropolitan section. The 29km line is expected to eventually connect New Garia to the city airport, but several gaps in the viaduct, caused by land issues, have prolonged the construction process.Read more
The Kolkata real estate market is experiencing a downturn in home sales registrations following the expiration of the stamp duty rebate, a government incentive that had temporarily boosted property transactions. The rebate, which reduced registration costs, spurred a surge in home purchases as buyers rushed to finalize deals before the benefit ended. However, with the rebate no longer available, the market has slowed, as higher registration costs deter potential buyers, leading many to delay or reconsider their purchases. This has resulted in reduced interest from prospective buyers, affecting developers and agents. While the rebate's end highlights ongoing challenges in the market, some experts remain optimistic that demand for housing will eventually stabilize, though price adjustments and market uncertainties are anticipated in the near term.Read more
Kolkata's housing market has seen a significant decline in home sale registrations, ending five months of growth. In July, registrations dropped by 18% from June and 13% year-over-year, with only 3,506 properties registered compared to 4,292 in June and 6,709 in July 2022. This downturn follows the withdrawal of state government incentives, including a 2% stamp duty reduction and a 10% cut in circle rates, which had previously bolstered the market. Mid-sized homes (501-1,000 sq. ft.) accounted for 47% of sales, while large apartments over 1,000 sq. ft. saw a sharp decline. CREDAI Bengal has urged the state to reconsider these policy changes to stimulate sales. Experts anticipate market adjustments, with potential recovery during the upcoming festive season.Read more
Nexus Select Trust, supported by Blackstone, is exploring a major expansion in Kolkata, aiming to acquire Ambuja Neotia's City Centre Salt Lake and City Centre New Town malls. Valued between INR 1,800 crore and INR 2,000 crore, the malls span 9 lakh square feet and are integral to Kolkata's retail scene. The deal is in early stages, with Nexus also nearing a INR 1,000 crore acquisition of three Hyderabad malls and planning further growth. With a low loan-to-value ratio, Nexus seeks to significantly enhance its retail portfolio, potentially reshaping Kolkata's shopping landscape.Read more
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In June, the Kolkata Metropolitan Area saw a record 25% increase in residential property registrations compared to the previous year. This surge occurred while a stamp duty discount was available. The state government will now end these benefits, including a 2% stamp duty reduction and a 10% circle rate cut, on July 1, 2024. Since these incentives began in July 2021, approximately 140,000 homes were registered. Despite the rebate ending, Knight Frank anticipates continued market growth due to strong demand. The company also reported new trends in the important zones, such as the South and North, within the city.Read more
The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has introduced new regulations permitting builders to store construction materials on footpaths under specific conditions. Developers with approved plans can now use footpaths for storage, provided a 1.5-metre pedestrian passage remains clear. This initiative balances construction needs with pedestrian safety. All future projects in New Town will require a construction management plan detailing material storage and waste disposal practices. An upcoming Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will outline enforcement and penalties. This regulation aims to improve construction efficiency while ensuring safe and uncluttered sidewalks for pedestrians.Read more
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) plans to amend building regulations to prevent the legalisation of unauthorised constructions exceeding 10% of the permitted area. Mayor Firhad Hakim announced a strict stance against illegal buildings, allowing minor regularisation but not for significant plan changes. A senior KMC official highlighted the difficulty of dealing with buildings where entire floors were added without approval. Following a tragedy in Garden Reach, KMC withheld completion certificates for many new buildings due to rule violations. Hakim urged the police to take quicker action against unauthorised constructions and called for a ward-wise campaign to inform citizens about new rules. The KMC aims to ensure strict adherence to building regulations and promote safer, more orderly development in Kolkata.Read more
CtrlS Datacenters is set to invest INR 2,200 crore in Kolkata, developing a 60 MW IT load capacity data centre campus in New Town. This project, with a 16 MW first phase scheduled for completion by end-2024, will feature the first Rated-4 data centre in eastern India, adhering to top global reliability and security standards. President Suresh Kumar Rathod emphasised Kolkata's rising digital prominence, backed by its strong economic position and substantial internet user base. This expansion will bolster Kolkata's digital infrastructure, offering managed services and high-speed connectivity, thus driving business growth and creating new job opportunities.Read more
Construction on the Kolkata Metro's Orange Line, stretching 29.87 km, is advancing swiftly, promising faster commutes between New Garia and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Trains currently run on the initial 5.40 km segment from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, with a 4.39 km extension to Beleghata station set to launch soon after receiving safety clearances. This expansion is vital for Kolkata's 14.8 million residents, enhancing connectivity and reducing traffic congestion. The final 9 km stretch, nearing 90% completion, includes 10 new stations with modern amenities, potentially boosting real estate values and rental demand along the route.Read more
In March 2024, apartment registrations in the Kolkata Metropolitan Region (KMR) increased by 17% year-on-year, totaling 3,936 units, indicating a preference for budget-friendly homes. Notably, apartments under 500 square feet rose to 45%, reflecting a 21-point increase from the previous year. While units between 501 and 1,000 square feet still hold a significant share at 48%, affordability remains paramount. Abhijit Das of Knight Frank India emphasises the need for large, affordable projects with good connectivity. The real estate sector pushes for a permanent stamp duty rebate extension to sustain sales momentum, while infrastructure development enhances market appeal, especially in South and North zones known for affordable options.Read more
The Calcutta High Court, led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, issued a crucial directive prohibiting the registration of buildings without approved plans. This decision was prompted by the collapse of an under-construction building in the Garden Reach locality, revealing its lack of a sanctioned plan. The court emphasised the necessity of adhering to sanctioned building plans to ensure structural integrity and safety. This ruling signifies a significant step towards regulating construction practices and preventing future mishaps in the region.Read more
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is looking to introduce amendments to the KMC Act to impose stricter penalties on unlawful property developers, including making certain offenses non-bailable and punishable by up to 10 years in jail and fines up to INR 50,000. The KMC Mayor recently met with municipal officials to discuss the amendments. Once approved by the KMC House, the amendments would be sent to the state government for final approval. The proposed changes aim to deter unscrupulous promoters by clarifying the ambit of legal construction activities and introducing longer jail terms.Read more
Kolkata-based Jain Group plans to invest INR 500 crore by 2030 for expanding its hospitality business. Teaming up with Sarovar Hotels Pvt Ltd, they will launch a new hotel in Rajarhat within four months, investing INR 120 crore initially. The upcoming hotel, Sarovar Portico Kolkata Rajarhat, will boast 128 rooms across various categories and is set to open this July. Jain Group aims to reach 1,000 hotel rooms by 2030, including upscale mid-market to luxury segments, with existing presence at Holiday Inn, Kolkata airport, and plans for three more hotels in Siliguri, Durgapur, and Joka.Read more
In Kolkata, the KMC buildings department has cracked down on six illegal buildings near a collapsed site in Azhar Molla Bagan. One dangerously tilting structure faces imminent demolition, while efforts are on to locate three others showing signs of instability. Promoters will face hearings at the civic headquarters, with potential demolition orders for unsafe portions. Residents face uncertainty over the fate of their homes, especially those tilting towards neighbouring buildings. Mayor Firhad Hakim reaffirms zero tolerance for illegal constructions, highlighting the urgent need to address the proliferation of such buildings to prevent future tragedies.Read more
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