Earlier this week, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) enforced a new rule requiring Occupancy Certificates (OC) and Commencement Certificates (CC) for new electricity connections in Bengaluru. This abrupt policy shift, following a directive from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) citing a Supreme Court order, has left many homeowners-especially those on revenue sites without power. Residents and electrical contractors have voiced concerns over the lack of prior notice and the challenges in obtaining the necessary documentation. Historically, similar mandates have been introduced and later revoked, adding to the confusion and frustration among the city's residents.Read more

Earlier this week, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) carried out a demolition drive in Airoli after repeated notices to the concerned parties went ignored. Under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, and with guidance from Additional Commissioner Dr. Rahul Gethe and Deputy Commissioner for Encroachment Shri Bhagwat Doiphode, the encroachment department took partial demolition action against an unauthorised construction at Sector-3, Airoli. The structure belonged to Anil Popat Patil and had been constructed without obtaining NMMC permissions. The operation was executed as per Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.Read more

The Uttarakhand High Court recently issued a firm directive to halt all construction activities in the vicinity of Dehradun Rispana and Bindal rivers if they lack valid building map approvals. The court acted in response to a series of public interest litigations (PILs) highlighting widespread encroachments and unchecked construction that threaten local ecosystems. The bench demanded clarity on past authorisations granted in certain cases and scheduled key state officials to appear in the next hearing. The government, meanwhile, reported its action plan to remove encroachments and enforce environmental safeguards, while municipal authorities claimed to have cleared over 1,000 hectares of encroached land.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government is introducing a fresh set of building bylaws aimed at streamlining urban development and encouraging small and medium-scale economic activities. The proposed changes include simplifying construction approvals for smaller plots, increasing permissible floor area ratios (FAR) along wider roads, and promoting vertical growth. A trust-based digital approval system is also in the works to reduce bureaucratic delays. The amendments are set to benefit professionals and small business owners alike, marking a significant step towards more inclusive and efficient urban planning across the state.Read more

In a recent directive, the Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TGRERA) has instructed Saket Engineers, the developer of the Saket Pranamam retirement community in Gowdavalli, Medchal, to address multiple construction and service deficiencies within 60 days. This action follows complaints from senior residents of Block B, who reported issues such as inadequate water supply, non-functional lifts, and persistent rainwater leakage. The authority also clarified that the cooperative society formed under the Telangana Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act, 1995, will oversee maintenance and administration, rather than the previously formed Friends Association.Read more

In a significant move to expedite land compensation, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has initiated the issuance of reservation letters for 7% abadi (residential) plots to farmers at the time of land acquisition settlements. This approach ensures that farmers are informed about the exact location and size of their allotted plots during the acquisition process. A verification committee comprising officials like the deputy collector and tehsildar will oversee the scrutiny and finalization of these allotments. The final allotment letters are set to be dispatched within 90 days, with development work on the plots expected to conclude within eight months. This initiative aims to streamline the compensation process and address longstanding grievances related to delays in plot allotments.Read more

In a recent development, the Uttarakhand High Court intervened to stop the demolition of slum dwellings in Dehradun's Vikas Nagar area. The court observed that the demolition notices issued to residents violated principles of natural justice, as they were served without prior hearings or verification of property ownership. The affected residents, many from marginalized communities, claimed legitimate ownership supported by official documents. The court has stayed the demolitions until further orders and has scheduled the next hearing for early next month.Read more

Earlier this week, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation reported tax collections of INR 252 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a 20% increase from the prior year's total. Key drivers of this rise included a 5% discount for upfront payments and a 50% waiver on interest for pending property and vacant land taxes. Backed by digital adoption, new assessments, and intensified compliance efforts, the civic body also expanded its revenue from water and sewerage taxes, highlighting the effectiveness of a multi-pronged collection strategy.Read more

The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has initiated action against residential buildings in New Town being used for unauthorized commercial purposes. Following numerous complaints from residents about disturbances caused by such activities, NKDA plans to issue notices to property owners violating building regulations. As per existing rules, only 40% of a residential building's floor area can be used for commercial purposes, subject to obtaining the necessary permissions and paying applicable fees. Violators may face penalties as per the building rules.Read more

MahaRERA has announced that homebuyer complaints will now be heard strictly in the order they were filed, to improve transparency and reduce delays. Exceptions will be made for cases involving life-threatening illnesses, non-compliance with past directives, order rectification, or successful conciliation outcomes. The circular, issued on April 8, seeks to prevent applicants from requesting special treatment outside of these defined grounds. Since 2017, MahaRERA has received over 28,000 complaints and resolved 21,000, with nearly 8,000 pending. Over 1,200 developer-homebuyer conciliations have been initiated. Maharashtra has registered 49,000+ real estate projects and marked over 15,000 as completed.Read more