The Maharashtra government has approved the Metro 8 corridor, connecting Navi Mumbai International Airport to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The 35-km corridor, featuring 20 stations, will integrate key hubs like Kurla and Mankhurd while enhancing multimodal connectivity. CIDCO will prepare the project report, with an estimated cost of INR 15,000 crore and a six-year completion timeline. While Metro 8 aims to boost airport accessibility, its success hinges on careful execution, financial sustainability, and learning from previous PPP challenges.Read more

The Mumbai Suburban District Collectorate has sanctioned INR 57 crore for strengthening 261 hillocks and landslide-prone sites in the city's suburbs, aiming to prevent accidents and loss of life during the monsoon. This decision was made during a recent District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) meeting chaired by Mumbai suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar. The Geological Survey of India has identified 299 such sites, with 38 located in the island city. The government will consult IIT-Bombay to implement effective safety measures. In addition to landslide prevention, the DPDC has approved an overall budget of INR 943 crore for 2025-26, which includes INR 30 crore for tourism, police infrastructure upgrades, and initiatives against illegal encroachments.Read more

The ongoing construction activities within Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's (NMMC) jurisdiction have led to excessive noise and air pollution, primarily due to basement excavation. In response, the Hon'ble High Court of Mumbai passed an order in 2023 mandating pollution control measures. Based on this directive and public complaints, the NMMC, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde, formulated and implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on 1 August 2024. During inspections, violations of the SOP were identified, leading to notices being issued to 87 developers, with fines amounting to INR 1.40 crore collected. The NMMC is now taking stricter actions, including stop-work notices, against persistent offenders, reinforcing its commitment to pollution control.Read more

The UK government, in collaboration with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Crossrail International (CI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The partnership, announced during the World Economic Forum, aims to accelerate Mumbai's metro expansion and establish a world-class, integrated transport system. The MoU focuses on sustainable urban growth, innovation, and knowledge exchange, leveraging expertise from UK institutions like Transport for London and Network Rail. The initiative is set to bolster UK-India ties while promoting economic growth and advanced infrastructure development.Read more

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has leased 1.15 lakh sq ft of office space in Goregaon, Mumbai, for INR 2.15 crore per month, totaling over INR 136 crore for a five-year period. The lease includes a 15% rent escalation after three years. This expansion aligns with NPCI's efforts to bolster India's digital payments infrastructure. The move reflects the rising demand for premium commercial real estate in Mumbai, driven by growing digitalization and hybrid work trends. Goregaon's strategic location and connectivity make it a preferred destination for corporate expansions.Read more

The Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) is demolishing 41 unauthorised buildings in Achole, Nalasopara East, constructed on land reserved for civic amenities. Built without approvals between 2010 and 2012, these structures have displaced thousands. Despite political assurances, residents were forcibly evicted, with their belongings left on the streets. Legal action followed a public interest petition, with courts ordering the demolition of these illegal constructions. The evictions reflect the human cost of systemic corruption and poor governance in urban development.Read more

Jay Chhabria

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a INR 16,700 crore project, is set to revolutionize air travel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Spanning 1,160 hectares in Ulwe, NMIA will feature two parallel runways and four terminals, handling 90 million passengers annually upon full completion. Developed by Adani Airports and CIDCO, the first phase is expected to be operational by March 2025, accommodating 20 million passengers. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the airport integrates seamlessly with key infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and express metro, boosting regional connectivity, economic growth, and trade capabilities in Navi Mumbai and beyond.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed an ambitious plan to revamp the 26-kilometre Western Express Highway (WEH) spanning from Bandra East to Dahisar. This initiative, revealed during a recent meeting, aims to address traffic bottlenecks, improve road quality, and standardise footpaths, signage, and medians. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani emphasised collaboration among agencies, including the BMC, traffic police, and MSRDC, to ensure effective implementation. Immediate measures, such as improved drainage systems, robust streetlights, and removal of scrap vehicles, were also highlighted. If successful, this project could bring significant relief to over 2.2 million daily commuters.Read more

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has sold his 1,073 sq. ft. apartment in Oberoi Realty's Sky City complex in Borivali East for INR 4.25 crore, marking a 78% appreciation from his 2017 purchase price of INR 2.38 crore. The transaction, registered in January 2025, incurred a stamp duty of INR 25.5 lakh and registration charges of INR 30,000. Sky City remains a sought-after development, recording 216 sale registrations in 2024, with an average resale price of INR 39,522 per sq. ft. Kumar's sale highlights Mumbai's robust luxury real estate market amid rising celebrity property transactions.Read more

The Maharashtra government's Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), a multi-billion-dollar initiative, guarantees housing benefits for all residents, including former landowners under the cancelled Vacant Land Tenure (VLT) scheme. The Adani Group, through its joint venture Navbharat Mega Developers Private Ltd (NMDPL), will oversee the redevelopment process, building affordable housing and commercial spaces. Former landowners and private societies in the Dharavi Notified Area (DNA) are encouraged to participate in this transformative urban renewal project. Sustainable infrastructure, vocational training, and eco-friendly job opportunities are key components of the project aimed at uplifting the Dharavi community.Read more

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has made significant payments totalling INR 428 crore for land acquisitions in Mulund, Kurla, and Deonar to build rental housing for ineligible residents, identified through an ongoing survey. The SPV, Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), with Adani Realty holding 80% equity, has faced legal challenges with some land, such as in Bhandup and Kanjurmarg, still under litigation. Despite paying for Mulund salt pan land and Kurla dairy land, physical possession remains pending. Additionally, the state government must address statutory compliance and compensation for lessees. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Kurla and other areas, with residents opposing the project and demanding alternative uses for the land, adding further complications to the redevelopment efforts.Read more

Tata Investment Corporation, the non-banking financial arm of the Tata Group, has purchased office space spanning two floors in Mumbai's Wadala locality for approximately INR 150 crore. The acquisition, located in the VIOS project at New Cuffe Parade, includes a total area of 43,000 sq ft. The company's purchase comprises the entire 17th and 22nd floors, accompanied by exclusive rights to 63 parking slots. The transaction highlights a notable outright purchase trend in India's commercial real estate sector, contrasting with the market's leasing dominance.Read more

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has cancelled its tender for property development at Nariman Point, a prime business district in South Mumbai, following a formal request from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The RBI requested the land for its offices, and the MMRC board approved the proposal accordingly. The project, initially promoted through extensive outreach and roadshows across major cities, was aimed at utilising a premium land parcel. MMRC did not disclose the size of the land but confirmed its decision aligns with the request made by RBI.Read more

An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), designed as a critical component of the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), is nearing completion near Breach Candy. This facility will centralise traffic monitoring, air quality assessment, and emergency response for the coastal road. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like CCTV, sensors, and SCADA systems, the ICCC will ensure seamless operations, even during power outages. The building’s strategic location close to the tunnel guarantees optimal technical efficiency. Once operational, it will serve as a backup disaster control hub, enhancing safety and functionality for commuters.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand event at the Bandra Kurla Complex. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the authority for spearheading development across Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar, encompassing an area of 6,500 square kilometres and a population of 3.5 crore. With ongoing projects worth over INR 3 lakh crore, the MMRDA plays a pivotal role in Maharashtra's economic aspirations. The event also highlighted plans for slum rehabilitation and the authority's potential to make Mumbai a global financial hub.Read more