The construction of Mumbai Metro 7A, intended to link Gundavali with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, has been halted due to a breach of the Airport Authority of India's (AAI) air funnel zone regulations. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has since sought a revised clearance from AAI to recommence work. The 3.42-kilometre-long corridor, featuring both elevated and underground sections, is being built by J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd, with consultancy provided by Systra MVA Consulting. AAI had initially approved construction with a height restriction 2.9 metres lower than the project's specifications. MMRDA has requested AAI to reconsider, arguing that adjusting the metro line's height is technically unfeasible.Read more

The construction of two flyovers near Mahalaxmi Railway Station, approved five years ago, is still ongoing. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed an expedited schedule, aiming for completion by October 31, 2026, even during the monsoon. The INR 497 crore project includes an 803-meter cable-stayed bridge on Keshavrao Khadye Road and a 639-meter flyover on Dr. E. Moses Road. These flyovers aim to ease congestion on the 100-year-old Mahalaxmi bridge. Challenges, including encroachments and railway permissions, have delayed progress. Once completed, the project will improve connectivity between Mahalaxmi, Worli, and Haji Ali, reducing traffic congestion significantly.Read more

Shah Rukh Khan and his family are set to temporarily move to a luxury apartment in Bandra's Pali Hill as their iconic home, Mannat, undergoes a major two-year renovation. The Grade III heritage bungalow requires special approvals for structural modifications. Khan has leased four floors in Puja Casa, owned by producer Vashu Bhagnani's family, at INR 24 lakh per month. The move highlights the growing demand for luxury rentals in Mumbai, especially among celebrities and high-net-worth individuals. With Mannat's makeover in progress, speculation arises on whether the Khans will extend their stay beyond the initial lease period.Read more

Alia Bhatt's production house, Eternal Sunshine Production Pvt Ltd, has rented a luxurious apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, for INR 9 lakh per month. The 6th-floor apartment in Vastu Building, Pali Hill, has been rented out from Narendra Shetty for four years with an annual rent hike of 5%. An INR 36 lakh security deposit was paid, for which stamp duty was INR 1.25 lakh and registration charges of INR 1,000 were paid. This lease is the follow-up to the company's high-profile acquisition of an INR 37.80 crore flat in Bandra West in 2023. Pali Hill continues to be a real estate hotbed, with recent transactions involving cricketer KL Rahul and infrastructure company Apco Infratech, which acquired properties worth INR 20 crore and INR 155 crore, respectively.Read more

The Bombay High Court has ruled in the favour of 12 shop buyers, supporting their right to be considered full members of a cooperative housing society. The court rejected appeals made by the Bhandari Association Housing Society against the orders of the divisional joint registrar in October 2023 and the deputy registrar in September 2022, which ordered the inclusion of the shopkeepers as regular members. The court upheld that mutual housing societies have no right to discriminate between domestic and commercial owners of units on the grounds of decision-making roles, guaranteeing equal membership opportunities. This case is consistent with earlier judicial decrees, e.g., that in September 2023 accepted membership of the owner of a garage converting part of it as a clinic and a September 2024 order that reaffirmed the entitlement of a widow for inheriting the membership of society.Read more

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is anticipated to be inaugurated in May, as confirmed by officials familiar with the matter. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently conducted an assessment of the airport. The latest review indicated that 90 percent of the issues identified previously had been resolved. The airport operator is set to apply for an aerodrome license by the end of February, with the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) expected to be approved by early March and published before the end of April. Once this process is completed, the airport is expected to begin operations. The new airport is projected to handle 10-12 million passengers annually, with further expansion plans in place.Read more

Spanish fashion giant Zara has closed its 51,300 sq ft flagship store at Mumbai's Ismail Building due to rising rental costs, which had surged to over INR 30 crore annually. The store, operational since 2017, was housed in a restored 119-year-old heritage structure. Luxury retailer Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, owned by Purple Style Labs, has taken over the space with a five-year lease starting at INR 36 crore per year. This shift reflects changing retail trends in Mumbai, where high operational costs and increasing e-commerce adoption are prompting brands like Zara and Marks & Spencer to rethink their physical presence.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has approved its revised budget for 2024-25 and the original budget for 2025-26, with a total deposit of INR 5,709.95 crore and an estimated expenditure of INR 5,684.95 crore, leaving a balance of INR 25 crore. The budget prioritises financial discipline, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and sustainability. Tax rates remain unchanged. Measures such as efficient revenue collection, and innovative funding strategies aim to boost municipal finances. Environmental initiatives, improved healthcare facilities, and expansion of civic services reflect NMMC's commitment to making Navi Mumbai a thriving, well-planned, and green urban centre.Read more

The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) demolished 41 illegal buildings in Vasai East's Agarwal Nagari over 22 days, displacing around 2,000 residents. The structures were built on land reserved for public utilities like water and sewage treatment plants. While activists criticize selective enforcement, the Bombay High Court has asked the state and VVCMC to present a rehabilitation plan. The civic body defends the demolitions as essential for urban planning. This case highlights the conflict between regulatory enforcement and residents' rights, raising concerns over the consistency and transparency of actions against unauthorized constructions.Read more

The Bombay High Court was informed that a 24-acre land parcel near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link toll plaza, earmarked for commercial development, falls outside the coastal regulation zone (CRZ). This clarification, provided by the Union environment ministry and Adani Realty, counters PILs challenging the land allotment. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) awarded the project to Adani Realty in 2024, expecting to generate INR 8,000 crore for infrastructure development. Adani Realty, also leading the INR 23,000 crore Dharavi Redevelopment Project, has pledged compliance with environmental and urban development regulations before commencing construction.Read more

Landmark Developers and Sobha Ltd. purchased a 2.11-acre landholding along Jerbai Wadia Road, Parel, for INR 423.38 crore. The transaction, registered this week, is likely to open the doors for luxury residential and commercial areas. Sobha Ltd. has acquired a greater majority of the free-sale part, whereas Landmark Developers received a smaller portion. This transaction highlights the increasing interest in prime Mumbai locations, particularly for large-scale redevelopment projects. With Mumbai's real estate market witnessing a surge in land deals, infrastructure advancements and redevelopment efforts continue to drive demand for prime locations.Read more

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has leased two luxury duplex apartments in Mumbai's upscale Pali Hill locality, Khar West, for a combined annual rent of INR 2.9 crore. The leases, signed with producer Jackky Bhagnani and his family, are for 36 months and were registered on February 14. The first duplex, at Puja Casa, comes with a monthly rent of INR 11.54 lakh and a security deposit of INR 32.97 lakh, while the second, located in a building owned by Vashu Bhagnani, has a monthly rent of INR 12.61 lakh with a security deposit of INR 36 lakh. These high-end leases reflect a growing trend among Bollywood celebrities opting for rented luxury properties.Read more

Awfis Space Solutions has disclosed in a BSE filing that its bank accounts with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were provisionally attached by the Joint Commissioner of State Tax in Mazgaon, Mumbai. The move refers to a purported excess input tax credit (ITC) violation of INR 4.42 crore that was availed in October 2024. The firm revealed that though this ITC was originally reversed in FY 2023-24, it was recovered in line with a Supreme Court order. But after changes in the CGST Act in 2025, the firm has now opted to reverse the ITC once again, with no financial implication on its operations. The board also separately approved the grant of 1,44,382 employee stock options under its ESOP scheme.Read more

MHADA Vice President and CEO, Sanjeev Jaiswal, IAS, has formed a committee to investigate a cash-throwing incident at MHADA Headquarters and verify the eligibility of 11 applicants seeking transit tenements. These applicants, from the Vikhroli Kannamwar Nagar transit camp, were not residing in unsafe structures demolished for redevelopment and were previously excluded from housing allotments. The committee will review their claims and submit a report in 15 days. MHADA has emphasized transparency and warned against attempts to influence decision-making. The inquiry aims to ensure fair allocation of housing while preventing undue interference in administrative processes.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has launched an Online Development Permission System (ODPS) from February 1, streamlining approvals for building and construction projects, including slum rehabilitation. This system, covering areas like Bandra Kurla Complex and Wadala, enhances efficiency and transparency in urban planning. Previously available only in select zones, ODPS now extends across MMR, reducing the need for in-person visits. Similar digital initiatives are being implemented across India, including Assam, Gujarat, and Telangana. As urban governance shifts towards digital platforms, these efforts aim to simplify regulatory processes and improve the ease of doing business.Read more