The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated investigations into 24 real estate projects across Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway, following a Supreme Court directive earlier this week. The probe focuses on alleged financial irregularities within subvention schemes that may have defrauded thousands of homebuyers. The CBI has requested detailed records from development authorities, including layout plans, sanction letters, dues statements, and registry details, to assess potential violations of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Housing Bank (NHB) guidelines. The investigation also aims to determine whether funds were diverted from construction activities.Read more

In an effort to combat growing vehicular congestion across Maharashtra, the State Transport Department has initiated work on a comprehensive parking policy. The proposed framework is expected to mandate vehicle buyers to show proof of available parking space before registration. Discussions were recently held between Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), municipal corporations, and senior transport authorities to shape this initiative. The state has also directed municipal bodies to utilise government-owned public spaces for parking to alleviate the burden on city infrastructure.Read more

Following the recent failure of a reinforced earth wall on the Ramanattukara-Valanchery stretch of NH-66 in Kerala, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken swift punitive measures against KNR Constructions Ltd. The firm, which was the concessionaire for the nearly completed project, has been barred from participating in current and future bids. The project's embankment had reportedly collapsed earlier this week, prompting a thorough investigation. Initial findings indicate negligence on the part of the contractor. The project consultant and several key officials have also faced suspensions, with further guidelines expected to prevent similar failures in future highway projects across the state.Read more

Amid pre-monsoon conditions and the looming onset of the rainy season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an urgent appeal earlier this week, urging slum dwellers in landslide-prone areas such as Vikhroli and Ghatkopar to move to safer locations. This directive comes after repeated warnings from civic officials and follows a pattern of landslide-related incidents recorded in recent years. With monsoon-related disasters, including landslides and house collapses, historically impacting hillside settlements, BMC's renewed focus highlights the growing risks and the need for preventive relocation in identified high-risk zones across the city.Read more

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has enforced a policy requiring all construction and demolition projects to register on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) Dust Pollution Control and Self-Assessment Portal before obtaining building plan approvals. This directive aims to integrate environmental safeguards into the approval process, ensuring compliance with dust control measures. Notably, projects exceeding 500 square metres must upload a self-declaration every fortnight, implement 360-degree video surveillance, and install low-cost Particulate Matter sensors. Violations may lead to project permission denial or cancellation.Read more

In a significant move to enhance efficiency in property transactions, the Punjab Cabinet has amended the Punjab Management and Transfer of Municipal Properties Rules, 2021. This amendment mandates that allottees of properties sold by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) must now deposit the full sale price within 180 days from the date of allotment, replacing the previous provision of six half-yearly installments. This change aims to expedite revenue collection for ULBs, strengthen municipal finances, and reduce legal disputes related to delayed payments. Additionally, the Cabinet has allocated INR 5 crore to the Punjab Innovation Mission to foster entrepreneurship and industrial growth in the state. Further decisions include the establishment of service rules for 207 specially promoted police personnel and the repeal of outdated appropriation acts to streamline governance.Read more

In Telangana, a mere 7,000 out of 4.5 lakh buildings have secured Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) over the past seven years, primarily due to the Telangana Fire Services Act of 1999, which mandates NOCs only for structures exceeding 15 meters in height. This regulatory gap has led to widespread neglect of fire safety measures in shorter buildings, which account for 99% of fire incidents. The tragic Gulzar Houz fire, resulting in 17 fatalities, has intensified calls to amend the outdated law to encompass all buildings, regardless of height, ensuring comprehensive fire safety compliance across the state.Read more

In a decisive move to uphold public access and urban planning integrity, the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) has issued a directive prohibiting developers from constructing compound walls or gates that block public roads within private housing layouts. This action targets developments where land has been transferred to local bodies through gift deeds. Developers found violating this mandate must remove such obstructions and provide photographic evidence of compliance. The regulation applies even to projects approved by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).Read more

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently highlighted a troubling surge in property frauds targeting Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Punjab. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar noted that absentee NRIs are increasingly falling victim to schemes involving forged documents and fraudulent powers of attorney, leading to the sale of their properties at significantly undervalued rates. In a notable case, prime land in Ludhiana was illicitly sold for INR 3 million, despite a market value of INR 60 million. The court dismissed anticipatory bail pleas of the accused, emphasizing the systemic abuse and the erosion of public trust resulting from such fraudulent activities.Read more

In a major setback for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), the Supreme Court has refused interim relief against the cancellation of 1,000 hectares of land by YEIDA, affecting 12 stalled group housing projects and over 4,500 homebuyers. However, the court has barred YEIDA from appointing new developers without its approval. YEIDA has begun appointing a consultant to assess project status, land ownership, and suggest regularisation measures. The land was cancelled over unpaid dues, a decision upheld by the Allahabad High Court. JAL, under insolvency, blamed delays on YEIDA. Financial institutions and homebuyers have raised concerns, and the next hearing is set for July.Read more