The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set a record budget of INR 60,000 crore for FY 2024-25, focusing on roads, bridges, stormwater drains, and sewage management. Major allocations include INR 12,000 crore for roads like the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road and INR 26,000 crore for sewage treatment plants in Dharavi, Ghatkopar, and Bandra. Despite these investments, critics highlight delays and lack of transparency in fund utilization, especially since the suspension of elected representatives in 2022. The BMC has invited public feedback on the budget by January 17, 2025, aiming to enhance citizen involvement and accountability in addressing Mumbai's pressing infrastructure challenges.Read more

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved a 1.5-km, four-lane cable-stayed bridge connecting Manori, Gorai, and Uttan with Marve. Currently, motorists must detour 29 km via Mira Bhayander, taking up to two hours during peak traffic. The project will require removing 45 mangrove trees, with compensatory planting in Palghar mandated at three times the affected area. Local residents and environmentalists have raised concerns about ecological damage and threats to livelihoods in villages like Dharavi Beth and Gorai. The bridge is part of the BMC's plan to construct six major western suburban bridges, aimed at easing traffic on SV Road, Link Road, and the Western Express Highway.Read more

Mumbai's office space leasing hit a milestone of 12.1 million sq. ft in 2024, with the October-December quarter alone contributing 5.6 million sq. ft, fueled by the BFSI sector (45%), flexible space operators (15%), and research and consulting firms (11%), according to CBRE. Nationally, office leasing across nine major cities reached a historic 79 million sq. ft, marking a 16% YoY growth. Green-certified office spaces saw robust demand, making up 56% of leasing activity in Q4. With sectors like BFSI and technology driving demand, Mumbai accounted for 15% of India's total office space absorption, solidifying its role in shaping market trends.Read more

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has made notable real estate investments, acquiring two luxury apartments in Juhu's "Twenty by DDecor" complex for INR 86.92 crore. The sixth-floor apartment, purchased with his mother, Karuna Dhawan, cost INR 42.40 crore, while the seventh-floor unit, acquired with his wife, Natasha, was priced at INR 44.52 crore. These purchases highlight a growing trend among Bollywood stars investing in Juhu, Mumbai's upscale neighborhood. Recent high-profile acquisitions, including Madhu Mantena's INR 25.75 crore investment in Jeevan Estates, reflect rising demand for properties in the area, driven by its beachfront appeal and premium location, ensuring strong returns for celebrity buyers.Read more

The Bombay High Court ruled that arbitration clauses in contracts cannot override the jurisdiction of RERA tribunals, affirming RERA's authority to resolve disputes between homebuyers and developers under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. Justice Madhav Jamdar's decision ensures that disputes under RERA's purview cannot be diverted to private arbitration, a move hailed as a significant step in protecting homebuyers' rights. This ruling came in a case where Rashmi Realty Builders sought arbitration despite a RERA tribunal's order for refunding INR 12 lakh. The decision highlights RERA's role as the exclusive dispute resolution mechanism for real estate conflicts.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which includes Greater Mumbai, has seen a 5% annual growth in residential property prices in 2024, with a weighted average price of INR 8,277 per sq. ft., according to a recent Knight Frank India report. Central and South Mumbai led this growth with price appreciations of 8% and 7%, respectively. While properties priced above INR 50 lakh accounted for a significant portion of transactions, a notable shift was observed towards the INR 1 crore to INR 2 crore segment. The city's residential sales in the INR 20 crore to INR 50 crore category grew by 143%, reflecting robust demand for premium housing. This growth was bolstered by transformative infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road and Metro Lines, enhancing connectivity and boosting market confidence.Read more

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Mumbai's Metro Line 3, connecting Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Worli, will commence operations within 100 days. Reviewed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the INR 14,120 crore Aqua Line project spans 10 stations, enhancing connectivity between Mumbai's business district and suburbs. Expected to serve 1.3 million daily commuters, this development aligns with broader transport improvements, including the pod taxi system in BKC. Fadnavis emphasized operational acceleration, targeting 50 km of metro lines annually from next year. These initiatives aim to reduce congestion, support economic growth, and transform Mumbai into a global financial hub.Read more

Reliance Industries has acquired 5,286 acres in Navi Mumbai for INR 2,200 crore, marking a transformative step for the Navi Mumbai Integrated Industrial Area (NMIIA). Strategically located near the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, the area's economic potential exceeds INR 1 lakh crore. Following environmental clearances, demand for industrial plots is rising. The acquisition via Urban Infrastructure Holdings positions NMIIA as a Reliance subsidiary with 74% ownership. This move aligns with Maharashtra's shift from SEZs to broader industrial hubs, promising job creation and economic growth, solidifying Navi Mumbai's status as a key industrial center.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken possession of the land in Grant Road East, where the New Roshan Talkies once stood, as part of its investigation into the assets of the late Iqbal Mirchi, an alleged narcotics trafficker. The cinema hall, which had been demolished, was attached by the ED in October 2020, along with several other properties and bank funds, as part of a money laundering probe. Recently, the ED acted to secure physical possession of the site after reports of illegal encroachment efforts. The agency is also investigating the potential antique value of old film reels and whether the building had heritage status.Read more

With Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) nearing full-scale operations by mid-2025, the long-delayed Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project has regained focus. Spanning 94 villages, NAINA's development plan is being implemented via Town Planning Schemes (TPS), with CIDCO addressing illegal constructions, engaging landowners, and initiating infrastructure projects worth INR 2,550 crore. Land-pooling offers landowners 40% of developed land to minimize displacement, encouraging cooperation. TPS 1 and 2 are ready for property transfers, while others are under review. The project, crucial for Navi Mumbai's growth, depends on sustained collaboration and proactive measures to unlock its full potential as a thriving urban and investment hub.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lifted the construction ban in Byculla and Borivali (East) following an improvement in the areas' Air Quality Index (AQI). Initially imposed in December due to AQI levels exceeding 200, the restrictions were aimed at reducing pollution from construction activities. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani emphasized the importance of dust control measures, warning that projects contributing to air pollution will face renewed bans and penalties. As Mumbai continues its urban development, the BMC's balanced approach highlights the importance of sustainable construction practices to safeguard residents' health while supporting the city's growth.Read more

CIDCO has launched the "My Preferred CIDCO Home" scheme, offering 26,000 affordable homes in nine Navi Mumbai locations, including Vashi and Kharghar. Targeting economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG), the initiative aligns with PMAY's "Housing for All" mission. Homes are priced between INR 25-97 lakh, catering to households earning up to INR 6 lakh annually. With the final application deadline on January 10, CIDCO expects a surge in interest following the disclosure of pricing details. This scheme not only addresses Navi Mumbai's housing demand but also supports sustainable urban growth for the region's expanding population.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring an alternative alignment for the Metro 9 corridor between Bhayandar and Uttan to save approximately INR 500 crore. The current plan involves a route passing through three villages, necessitating extensive land acquisition and rehabilitation. The alternative route, primarily through salt pan and marshy lands, would affect fewer families, reduce station numbers, and significantly cut costs. While most construction work for the corridor is nearing completion, partial operations from Dahisar to Kashi Gaon are expected to begin soon after obtaining safety certifications.Read more

Earlier this week, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) allotted 343 tenements to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to resettle families displaced by the INR 18,838-crore Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project. While the allotment paves the way for the project to proceed, displaced families are unhappy about being moved from Borivali East. They have demanded in-situ rehabilitation or construction of additional housing to accommodate all 650 affected families. The 11.84-km long tunnel, expected to reduce travel time between Thane and the western suburbs, is set for completion by mid-2028.Read more

As Navi Mumbai prepares for the Coldplay concert in January 2025, a significant rise in hotel prices has been observed. A report by Sciative Solutions reveals that hotel rates for various categories, ranging from budget to luxury, have increased sharply compared to September 2024. Budget accommodations have seen a decrease in availability, while mid-range and luxury hotels have witnessed substantial price hikes. Hotels close to the venue have seen the most significant jumps, with some rooms increasing in price by more than two and a half times. Early demand for luxury properties has also led to these hotels selling out months in advance. This study underscores the power of dynamic pricing, highlighting how AI-driven tools help hotels optimise their pricing strategy to capitalise on major events.Read more