CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) secures a significant INR 13 billion loan from J.P. Morgan for its Navi Mumbai data centre project, signalling a turning point in India's digital evolution. The move reflects CLINT's commitment to astute capital management and diversification. With a robust real estate portfolio and proactive entry into the data centre sector, CLINT emerges as a key player shaping India's digital and real estate future. Stakeholders anticipate how these strategic moves will contribute to the evolving narrative of India's transformation.Read more

CIDCO's 'Maha Nivas' housing scheme offers luxurious apartments to Maharashtra's legislators, judges, and bureaucrats at a fraction of the market rate, with price at about Rs. 19,500 per sqft, significantly lower than the area's market price of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 per sqft. The scheme is part of a government initiative for specific VIPs and CIDCO is entrusted to construct and allocate the apartments on a lottery basis. It is designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor and encompasses 350 apartments on Palm Beach Road with carpet areas of 1270 sq ft and 1800 sq ft. CIDCO is welcoming applications till November 12 and has received 270 applications so far. While some praise the initiative, concerns have been raised within the real estate community about the pricing disparities and eligibility criteria.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been releasing 37 million litres of untreated sewage daily into Thane creek due to the shutdown of its sewage treatment plant (STP) amid a land dispute with CIDCO. The landowner claimed that he had not received compensation for the land acquired by CIDCO, leading to the dispute. The release of untreated sewage violates a Supreme Court order and could incur penalties from the National Green Tribunal. NatConnect Foundation, an NGO, raised concerns about this issue, emphasizing the threat to marine life and biodiversity in the creek. The NMMC is working to resolve the matter and reopen the STP. Swift action is essential to mitigate the ecological and public health risks posed by the untreated sewage discharge into the creek.Read more

Construction of Navi Mumbai airport faces delays, with anticipated commercial operations in 2025 instead of 2024, per CAPA. The Adani Group, responsible for the project, insists it will meet the original December 2024 target. Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), another Adani Group entity, is also investing in enhancing efficiency and capacity. The proximity of the Navi Mumbai Airport aims to alleviate congestion at the Mumbai Airport. The Navi Mumbai Airport is set to accommodate up to 20 million passengers initially and expand to 90 million by 2032. Mumbai Airport, even before the pandemic and Jet Airways' 2019 bankruptcy, faced infrastructure challenges, operating at near full capacity.Read more

Godrej Properties faces a setback as CIDCO cancels the allocation of two plots in Navi Mumbai. The real estate firm has strongly opposed the cancellation, asserting that it contravenes a High Court order. Legal proceedings have been initiated by Godrej in response to this step by CIDCO. In March 2021, Godrej Properties secured these plots in Sanpada, near the sought-after Palm Beach area. In a separate development, Godrej Properties' subsidiary, Godrej Redevelopers (Mumbai), confronts a GST demand of Rs. 48.31 crore, along with interest and a penalty, which the company plans to contest legally.Read more

In Navi Mumbai, slum dwellers and Project Affected Persons (PAPs) are resisting the state's Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme. The scheme, aiming to provide proper housing for around 50,000 slum dwellers, faces opposition from PAPs demanding their sold lands back. Slum dwellers, like those in Ramnagar, express concerns about losing homes while PAPs say that they sold their lands for very little compensation. A biometric survey in September triggered political tensions, with Shiv Sena accusing BJP's Ganesh Naik of interference. PAPs formed the Zameen Haq Samiti, holding meetings to raise awareness and planning objections and a potential PIL.Read more

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has prohibited CIDCO, the planning authority for Navi Mumbai, from leasing a 25,000 sq.m. plot near the NRI Colony at Seawoods in Nerul for development. This decision follows protests by local residents and activists opposing CIDCO's auction plans for the environmentally sensitive area. NGT's order prohibits construction in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas so as to preserve the ecology and habitats, including mangroves and flamingo roosting sites. The ruling allowed designation of a part of the plot for a garden and social facilities.Read more

Bafna Motors, a Tata Motors commercial vehicle dealer, has successfully sold the leasehold rights to a prime 4-acre land parcel in Navi Mumbai's Nerul locality for over Rs 145 crore to Greenscape IT Park LLP. The deal was initiated to settle outstanding loans of Rs 129 crore to the United Bank of India and Rs 15 crore to Tata Motors Finance Solutions. Greenscape IT Park LLP stepped in to repay these debts and acquired the land parcel. The transaction attracted a stamp duty of Rs 7.27 crore and was registered on August 28. It reflects a resurgence in land transactions across Indian property markets.Read more

CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation) is implementing its Inclusive Housing Scheme (IHS) in the NAINA region to provide housing opportunities for economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG) through private developers. This initiative follows the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) of the NAINA project, reserving 20% of the total plot area for EWS and LIG housing. A total of 171 tenements are being introduced, with a lottery system facilitating the selection process for eligible candidates. CIDCO's user-friendly online application process and social media outreach ensure wider awareness and accessibility, aligning with its mission of creating inclusive and equitable communities.Read more

A three-storeyed building in Navi Mumbai's Nerul area collapsed last week, resulting in two fatalities and injuring two others. The incident, which took place around 9:11 pm in Sarsole Sector 6, saw a major section of the building's third floor crash onto the lower levels. While the interior was severely damaged, the exterior surprisingly remained intact. Immediate rescue operations were launched, with victims rushed to DY Patil Hospital. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.Read more

In a bid to compensate those affected by the Navi Mumbai International Airport project, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has allocated 46 plots to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) via a computerised draw. The plots, given under rehabilitation and resettlement and the 22.5% compensation schemes, reflect CIDCO’s commitment to fair processes and generous compensation. The development also includes substantial benefits like rental disbursements, one-time special assistance, and agricultural compensation.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Mumbai ITAT ruled that individuals co-owning multiple residential houses can still claim tax exemption on long-term capital gains, benefiting many taxpayers. Section 54F allows an exemption when reinvesting sale proceeds in a house. Zainul Ghaswala's claim was denied by the I-T official, despite evidence of separate ownership and occupancy of flats inherited by family members. The ITAT bench considered the Madras High Court's ruling that joint ownership does not hinder exemption claims. With no adverse decisions from the Bombay High Court, the ITAT ruled in favour of Ghaswala, clarifying co-ownership eligibility under Section 54F.Read more

PNT Reporter

In a significant move towards public safety, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has ordered the immediate evacuation of 524 hazardous buildings within the city. These buildings, identified after a comprehensive survey, fall under various categories of disrepair. Sixty-one are deemed highly dangerous and need instant demolition, while others require varying levels of structural repair. The NMMC has urged residents to vacate these premises promptly to prevent potential accidents and loss of life.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Panvel Tehsil office in Navi Mumbai has auctioned properties of builder NK Bhupeshbabu in Morbi gram panchayat and recovered Rs 4.82 crore, exceeding the reserve price of Rs 3.72 crore, in an attempt to recover a total sum of Rs 6.5 crore from the developer, against whom MahaRERA had issued 33 warrants. However, homebuyers complain that revenue officials are not serious about carrying out the recovery process, leading to their grievances being unaddressed.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is offering a 5% rebate on online property tax payments for the FY 2023-24. Those who pay before June 30 will receive an additional 10% rebate, and payments made before December 31 will avail a 5% rebate. As of now, over 4,500 property owners have already paid their taxes, with a discount of almost Rs 20 lacs. In addition, the NMC is offering a 5-10% discount on four environmentally friendly programs.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has criticized the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for its "total non-action" against a private builder who has been cutting into Parsik Hill in Navi Mumbai. Environmentalists claim that this slope cutting is endangering the lives and properties on top of the hill. CIDCO had earlier entered into a Leave & License Agreement with the builder only for plantation and maintenance of part of the hill. However, the builder made a pathway and erected advertisement hoardings, for which CIDCO served notice on the builder.Read more

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (HRC) has taken action against CIDCO Managing Director for his “total non-action” against a private builder in the Parsik Hill slope cutting case. The HRC has directed the CIDCO MD to file his own affidavit explaining his stand before the next hearing in the case. The HRC will take up the case next on March 27. The environment department and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) have also been directed to submit their fresh affidavits.Read more

The Bombay High Court has stayed the development of Bhagwati Greens Phase 2 in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, until March 29. The court's decision was made in response to an order by the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) that rendered the grievances of more than 100 flat buyers in the housing project as superfluous. The association of flat buyers had filed a complaint with MahaRERA, alleging that the builder, Bhagwati Developers, had proposed a fourth tower in a "multi-play area." The association challenged the MahaRERA order in the HC, prompting the court to stay further development of the project.Read more

Earlier this week, The Western Zonal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruled that the stay order on the sale of a plot in Nerul remain and gave petitioners two weeks to respond to CIDCO’s defense. The Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS) and neighboring residents have filled two petitions with the NGT to halt the sale of this plot citing CRZ violations. CIDCO has defended its decision while questioning the NGT’s jurisdiction to have allowed such petitions to be admitted. The final hearing has been fixed for 20th December 2022.Read more