The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is working to expand its sewage treatment infrastructure to match the city's projected needs up to 2050. With 11 sewage treatment plants (STPs) currently operational and four more nearing completion, Vadodara's total treatment capacity is expected to reach 963 MLD by next year, surpassing the current requirement of 512 MLD. The civic body is also improving its pumping stations, expanding the drainage network, and implementing measures to stop untreated sewage from entering the Vishwamitri River, aiming for sustainable and cleaner wastewater management.Read more

Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd, a part of the Lalbhai Group, has entered the Vadodara residential market through a new joint development project valued at over INR 700 crore. The large-scale horizontal project marks the company's 23rd development in Gujarat, underscoring its focus on strengthening its state-wide presence. The company said the initiative aligns with its expansion strategy into high-potential markets, with further projects expected across Gujarat, Bengaluru, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region amid a sustained positive outlook for India's real estate sector.Read more

Indumati Palace, a 145-year-old heritage building in Vadodara is being repurposed into a unique residential-commercial complex led by Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad in collaboration with Johnson Real Estate. Six 12-storey upscale apartment towers will surround the restored palace, which will serve as an exclusive clubhouse for the community. Retail space is planned in the palace's former front yard. The initiative was introduced around the recent Ganesh festivities, with delivery expected in about three years. Pratapsinhrao also aims to revive the palace's traditional Ganesh celebrations and continue spending more time in Vadodara by working from this new development.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has initiated strict action against individuals and contractors involved in the illegal dumping of construction debris into the city's water bodies. Responding to complaints from residents and environmental activists, the civic body has started issuing notices and warnings to violators. Measures include penalties and direct inspections by senior officials to prevent further environmental damage. The move aims to restore the ecological balance of affected lakes and ponds while holding accountable those contributing to their degradation.Read more

Fourteen years after being temporarily relocated, slum dwellers from Pir Vasahat in Akota, Vadodara have vacated municipal land after receiving permanent homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In 2010, they were displaced for a road widening project and offered housing in distant Pratapnagar, which many declined due to work-related inconvenience. Instead, about 30 families settled near Akota burial ground on the condition that they'd leave once nearby homes were provided. That promise was fulfilled recently, with new homes allotted near Sun Pharma Road- close to their jobs and community ties-marking the end of a long wait and a successful civic housing resolution.Read more

A Vadodara-based developer was ordered by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission earlier this week to refund INR 28.42 lakh along with 12 percent interest for failing to deliver a flat booked in 2012 with possession promised by 2016. The buyers had paid INR?6?lakh via cheque and INR 22.42 lakh through a bank loan that was prematurely disbursed. Their 2019 complaint cited deficiency of service and unfair trade practices. The commission also awarded INR 50,000 for mental anguish and their advocate confirmed that an execution application has been filed since the builder hasn't complied.Read more

Vadodara is undergoing a major transformation with key infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing mobility, boosting economic growth, and celebrating its cultural legacy. The 43.2 km Vadodara Metro Rail Project will offer eco-friendly public transport and ease traffic congestion. The Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, part of the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, will strengthen regional connectivity and economic development. The newly opened Kotambi Stadium, with a 40,000-seat capacity, has already hosted international matches and is set to become a major sports hub. These developments reflect Vadodara's strategic push toward becoming a modern, sustainable city while preserving its heritage and enriching urban life.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has announced a property tax rebate initiative aimed at encouraging timely payments. Property owners who settle their dues by May 23, 2025, will receive a 10% rebate on residential properties and a 5% rebate on non-residential properties. An additional 1% rebate is offered for online payments, promoting digital transactions. While online payments are incentivized, offline payments remain accepted without the extra 1% discount. This move aligns with VMC's ongoing efforts to streamline tax collection and reduce arrears.Read more

The Sanjaynagar housing project in Vadodara, launched under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, has faced significant delays, with only 22% completion in eight years. Intended as a public-private partnership, it aimed to rehabilitate displaced urban poor while facilitating commercial development. However, over 2,000 homes were demolished, and many affected families have not received the promised rent support, leading to financial distress. Despite multiple deadline extensions, construction remains stalled. The project's setbacks highlight issues in PPP execution, contractor accountability, and governance. Experts suggest adopting best practices from successful schemes to ensure timely completion and restore public trust.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has demolished unauthorized extensions of a bungalow in the Tandalja area as part of its efforts to enforce building regulations. Despite prior notices and complaints from residents, the illegal structures, including extensions and a washroom, remained unapproved. The move reflects VMC's broader crackdown on unauthorised constructions in the city, highlighting concerns over safety and urban planning violations. While some residents supported the action for ensuring compliance, others called for leniency and more time for the owners to rectify the violations. Amid rising cases of unauthorized constructions, VMC plans to implement stricter penalties and awareness campaigns to promote adherence to building laws and maintain the integrity of Vadodara's urban development.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) faces scrutiny over its Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) housing schemes due to significant structural issues. The Kishanwadi housing project, consisting of 94 blocks and 3,008 houses, has 24 blocks declared dilapidated, affecting 896 homes. Built between 2010 and 2012, these houses showed defects from the first monsoon season, including leaks and falling plaster. VMC claims poor maintenance by residents, while residents blame substandard construction. Safety concerns heightened after a ceiling collapse in Jambuva resulted in a fatality.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is facing challenges in collecting Rs 100 crore in dues from 17,600 beneficiaries of housing schemes. Despite issuing notices, the VMC has recovered only a fraction of the amount and is caught between the need for payment and the potential humanitarian crisis of eviction. Struggling to balance financial accountability with social empathy, VMC is deliberating a policy decision to address this complex issue.Read more

A controversy has emerged in Vadodara over the deteriorating condition of decade-old houses in Jivannagar and Himmatnagar. Residents, pointing to signs of rapid decay like visible cracks, seepage, and falling concrete, have lodged complaints about their living conditions. Despite officials blaming poor maintenance, residents insist the issues stem from shoddy construction. Demands have been made for new homes or relocation permissions. Meanwhile, Himmatnagar residents have asked for their scheme's consideration for redevelopment, asserting their readiness for such a process.Read more

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is set to decide on disciplinary action against officials involved in a housing scheme scandal. It was discovered that a list of beneficiaries had been forged and houses were allocated to individuals not selected in the original draw. An inquiry revealed that an operator changed the lists under an executive engineer's instruction. A report has been submitted, and the VMC's standing committee will determine the appropriate action against the executive engineer.Read more