The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation conducted a focused anti-encroachment drive in the Turbhe division, removing around 75 unauthorized huts near Sanpadagaon Lake and the STP Plant in Sanpada, Sector 20. The action was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner and senior municipal officials, with support from police, security staff, and labor teams. The operation utilized a JCB and 20 laborers. Officials emphasized that such eviction campaigns will be strengthened going forward to maintain compliance with municipal regulations and prevent unauthorized construction in sensitive areas.Read more

Authorities in Bhubaneswar initiated a large eviction exercise in Salia Sahi, the city's biggest slum cluster, to clear land for a new road aimed at easing traffic along the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan corridor. Over 550 unauthorised houses were marked for demolition, and more than 80 were removed on the first day. Many families raised concerns about limited notice, loss of shelter, and the need for proper rehabilitation. Officials stated that residents were being relocated with financial support, while opposition parties questioned the process and demanded stronger safeguards.Read more

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved a multi-step transaction in the cement sector involving India Resurgence Fund (IndiaRF), Shree Digvijay Cement Company (Digvijay) and Hi-Bond Cement (India) Pvt Ltd (Hi-Bond). IndiaRF will acquire a stake in Digvijay, which in turn will purchase shareholding in Hi-Bond. The two cement companies will also enter a long-term business arrangement. IndiaRF is a SEBI-registered Category II fund managed jointly by Piramal Group and Bain Capital Special Situations. The approval ensures compliance with competition regulations and aims to maintain a fair market environment.Read more

The Orissa High Court has instructed residents of Shantipalli Basti in Bhubaneswar to vacate their homes and move into transit housing so the in-situ slum redevelopment under PMAY-Urban can proceed. The court validated the transfer of land to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and upheld a beneficiary contribution of INR 1.5 lakh per flat. While Phase I (840 flats) is nearing completion, with 462 units allotted, Phase II remains stalled due to resistance and interim orders. The state has arranged transit accommodation, basic amenities, and credit support for economically weaker beneficiaries.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to ensure that all beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) receive BEE star-rated, energy-efficient appliances through a programme being implemented with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The distribution includes LED bulbs, LED tube lights and BLDC fans covering nearly six lakh households. The initiative is expected to reduce annual power consumption by more than 10 million kWh and lower household expenses. The state has previously partnered with EESL across multiple sectors, strengthening its ongoing shift toward energy-efficient public infrastructure.Read more

The Goa administration has introduced new revenue measures by requiring that village-community landholdings known as comunidades execute conveyance deeds at half the state's minimum land rate and pay stamp duty based on the rate fixed by the Goa Housing Board (GHB). Previously these plots often bypassed formal procedures and state revenue. The reform is part of a wider regulatory overhaul that also includes regularising unauthorised homes on government or comunidade land and opening up comunidade acreage for structured development under competitive bidding.Read more

The Maharashtra government has approved two major urban-planning policies: a concept-based 'iconic city' policy for CIDCO and other agencies, and a large-scale redevelopment plan for older MHADA colonies. Through tenders, developers will build integrated residential townships or commercial districts on agency land under the first policy. Under the second, MHADA colonies of 20 acres or more many built in the 1950s-60s will be rebuilt with modern amenities, better infrastructure, larger homes, and environmental upgrades, overseen by a high-powered committee.Read more

The Maharashtra government has allowed free regularisation of land parcels purchased in violation of the Maharashtra Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act for transactions made between 15 November 1965 and 15 October 2024. The directive removes notes about fragmentation violations from 7/12 land records and ensures rightful buyers are recorded as occupants. The decision, backed by a recent government notification, is expected to help about 6 million landowners, including many in urban, commercial, and peripheral regions. Unregistered transactions can also be legally registered after paying stamp duty and registration fees.Read more

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has approved the land-pooling process for Infopark Kochi's Phase III development in Kunnathunad taluk. The plan aims to bring together around 500 acres for an integrated IT and AI-focused township, marking one of Kerala's largest land-pooling exercises. GCDA will handle land identification and coordination with landowners, while Infopark will lead overall development. A land-pooling office has already started functioning, and early assessments indicate strong potential for investment and long-term technology-led growth in the region.Read more

The Maharashtra government has approved the long-awaited redevelopment of Kamathipura, assigning the project to MHADA's Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board under the Construction & Development Agency model. A survey found nearly 800 dilapidated, century-old buildings across 34 acres. Using DCPR 2034's Regulation 33(9) for cluster redevelopment, MHADA's plan will rehouse about 8,001 people, offering both residential and non-residential tenants 500 sq ft two-bedroom flats. Landowners will receive units based on plot size. The project includes new homes, commercial spaces and open areas, transforming the precinct into a modern 'urban village.' MHADA will receive 44,000 sq m, while developers can build roughly 567,000 sq m, creating around 4,500 new units.Read more