The Bombay High Court has dismissed a PIL against the demolition of the British-era Elphinstone bridge, allowing the MMRDA to proceed with the Sewri-Worli Connector project. The court upheld technical reports declaring the bridge unsafe, despite local protests. The 4.5-km elevated corridor will improve east-west connectivity, linking the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link to the coastal road and easing traffic near major hospitals and Dadar-Parel stations. Meanwhile, residents in Sewri are demanding in-situ rehabilitation, saying MMRDA’s INR 25–40 lakh compensation is inadequate. Authorities are set to resume demolition and reassess rehabilitation plans, though local resistance may continue to pose challenges.Read more

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court recently overturned a GST demand placed on Shrinivasa Realcon, in a landmark ruling that will have an effect on Maharashtra's real estate market. The court determined that the development agreement in question did not involve a taxable transfer of development rights (TDR), as the construction utilized existing Floor Space Index (FSI) without acquiring additional rights. This ruling provides clarity on the applicability of GST to development agreements lacking explicit TDR transactions.Read more

The Haryana government's directive, which gave Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) officials direct recovery powers similar to revenue officers, was declared invalid by the Punjab and Haryana High Court earlier this week. The court determined that this move contravened the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which delineates RERA's role as primarily adjudicatory. The state's notification, issued in May 2024, was challenged by a real estate firm in June 2024, leading to this landmark judgment. The court emphasized that enforcement of dues must align with the Haryana Land Revenue Act, 1887, necessitating the involvement of designated revenue officers.Read more

The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) is on the brink of closure as two of its remaining members are set to retire in May. With the premature departure of the chairperson earlier this year, the authority is now operating with reduced capacity. The Odisha Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 mandates that the government initiate recruitment processes before such positions become vacant. While advertisements have been published for the two member positions, only one meeting was held in March to select a new chairperson.Read more

In a bid to make redevelopment more affordable for residents of aging cessed buildings in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has slashed the charges for additional space to 100% of the ready reckoner rate (RRR), down from 110%. This policy applies to beneficiaries of the December 2023 housing lottery and aims to accelerate urban renewal. The move also covers tenants in stalled redevelopment projects and those in unsafe buildings, offering compensation and inclusion in official lists. With this initiative, MHADA hopes to revive stalled projects and improve housing conditions for residents in old neighborhoods.Read more

Maharashtra has launched its first online Transferable Development Rights (TDR) exchange, a move to streamline urban planning and development. Inaugurated on April 25, 2025, by Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, the digital platform simplifies the buying and selling of TDRs, crucial for developers to build beyond standard limits. The e-TDR system, developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ensures transparency by digitizing Development Rights Certificates (DRCs), with financial transactions handled through the State Bank of India. This initiative aims to democratize access, reduce intermediaries, and enhance efficiency in urban development.Read more

The anti-encroachment department conducted a drive under the direction of Additional Commissioner (2) Dr. Rahul Gethe and Assistant Commissioner (Encroachment) Mr. Bhagwat Doifode by the directives from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde. The drive, aimed at removing homeless encroachments, led to the eviction of 48 homeless individuals near L&T Bridge, Sector-42, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai. The action was overseen by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Amol Palve and involved a team including engineers, staff, and police personnel. The municipal corporation has stated that such actions will continue in the future.Read more

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has intervened in a land dispute in Bhopal's Aishbagh area, ordering a status quo on a 12,000 sq ft plot originally reserved for public use. The land, part of a colony developed by the Madhya Pradesh Housing Board and later transferred to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for maintenance, has been allegedly encroached upon by BMC and other state departments. Structures including a BMC office, an anganwadi center, and a health department office have been established on the plot. A petition filed by local resident Nisar Khan highlighted these encroachments and raised concerns over plans to convert part of the land into a dumping yard. The High Court has issued notices to the involved parties and maintained the current state of the land until further proceedings.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a significant land scam in Goa, involving the illegal acquisition of properties valued at over INR 1,000 crore. The operation included multiple raids across locations such as Anjuna, Assagao, and Arpora. The main accused, Rohan Harmalkar, allegedly led a conspiracy involving forged documents and manipulated land records. The ED has provisionally attached assets exceeding INR 600 crore and filed a prosecution complaint against 36 individuals under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This investigation follows earlier actions, including the attachment of 31 properties valued at INR 39 crore in November 2023.Read more

Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd (API) is facing a growing legal battle in Lucknow, with five new FIRs filed for allegedly defrauding customers of INR 5.78 crore. These cases involve the sale of government land using forged documents, with some buyers having paid large sums for properties that were never delivered. This brings the total number of ongoing investigations in Lucknow to approximately 70. Authorities have initiated further action, including an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and concerns raised by the Lucknow Development Authority over the company's failure to develop promised infrastructure.Read more