The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has issued final notices to owners of 81 apartments, instructing them to remove unauthorised structures within 15 days. Originally, a demolition order was passed in 2009 under the Uttar Pradesh Town Planning and Development Act, but it was never enforced. A PIL filed in 2012 brought the issue back into focus, and a recent High Court ruling has now directed authorities to act. Advocate Prince Lenin highlighted the court's firm stance, while LDA Secretary Vivek Srivastava stated that failure to comply would lead to demolition at the owners' expense.Read more

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) recently issued show-cause notices to 650 property owners in DLF-2 for illegal construction and conducting commercial operations in residential areas. The action follows a large-scale survey prompted by a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The survey covered 15,000 properties across DLF-1 to DLF-5, with violations found in over 4,000 properties. The department has warned owners to rectify the violations or face strict penalties, including demolition and sealing drives. The effort aims to curb the growing misuse of residential properties in Gurgaon for commercial purposes.Read more

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has fined 221 construction sites INR 31.4 lakh for breaching pollution control norms over the past six weeks. As part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), PCMC aims to curb rising pollution, particularly in areas like Punawale, Tathawade, and Moshi, where AQI levels have reached unhealthy levels. Two firms received stop-work orders for repeated violations. PCMC is considering increasing fines from INR 10 to INR 100 per sq. meter to enhance compliance. A dedicated monitoring team has been formed, reinforcing efforts to balance urban growth with environmental sustainability in the rapidly developing region.Read more

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has decided to collect INR 200 crore from Vaishali property owners, nearly 36 years after acquiring land for the township. The move stems from a long-drawn legal battle that saw courts repeatedly increasing compensation rates for farmers whose land was acquired between 1986 and 1989. After failing to secure relief from the Supreme Court, GDA must now pay the enhanced compensation of INR 297 per square yard. The board also discussed and approved 14 proposals, including a decision to postpone mandatory structural audits for high-rises until discussions with developers are held.Read more

Residents and political representatives from seven villages proposed for merger with Trichy Corporation have expressed strong opposition to the plan at the grama sabha meetings held on Republic Day. The expansion, which will increase Trichy Corporation's wards from 65 to 100, has sparked protests in several villages, citing concerns over the impact on agriculture and allied activities. These protests include resolutions passed in seven villages and threats to surrender Aadhaar and ration cards. Police have classified a significant number of meetings as sensitive.Read more

The Delhi High Court recently ruled in favour of installing a private lift in a multi-storey residential building, dismissing concerns raised by the ground-floor resident about privacy, access to common areas, and potential structural damage. The court clarified that the lift would not impact the privacy or ventilation of the ground-floor flat and emphasized the importance of public interest and compliance with necessary approvals. The MCD inspection also confirmed no violations, with 75% of the lift installation already completed.Read more

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is working on a proposal to help owners of small plots by easing building regulations. The aim is to encourage legal construction and prevent illegal buildings, many of which have raised safety concerns. Under the new plan, owners of plots between 350 sq ft and 2,100 sq ft will be able to construct homes without a sanctioned plan, provided they submit a detailed design from an architect or engineer. The initiative is targeted at certain areas initially and may expand depending on public response.Read more

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has independently addressed illegal mining activities that caused the leveling of an Aravali Hill along the Haryana-Rajasthan border. Acting on a report, the tribunal highlighted widespread violations by the mining mafia, who detonated protected hillocks in Nuh and exploited regulatory gaps in neighbouring Rajasthan. Officials from Haryana's mining department confirmed fresh evidence of stone extraction, estimating the loss of 6,000 metric tonnes of material. The NGT directed pollution control boards, the Union Ministry of Environment, and district magistrates of Nuh and Bharatpur to respond via affidavits before the next hearing scheduled for May 5.Read more

The ongoing construction activities within Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's (NMMC) jurisdiction have led to excessive noise and air pollution, primarily due to basement excavation. In response, the Hon'ble High Court of Mumbai passed an order in 2023 mandating pollution control measures. Based on this directive and public complaints, the NMMC, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailash Shinde, formulated and implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on 1 August 2024. During inspections, violations of the SOP were identified, leading to notices being issued to 87 developers, with fines amounting to INR 1.40 crore collected. The NMMC is now taking stricter actions, including stop-work notices, against persistent offenders, reinforcing its commitment to pollution control.Read more

The Haryana government's town and country planning department has overhauled its builder licensing process to improve efficiency and safeguard homebuyers. Effective January 13, builders will now provide proof of financial capacity only at the license stage, aligning it with the project's total cost. This revision eliminates the earlier dual-assessment system that delayed project approvals. Collaborating entities must also demonstrate financial adequacy. The move aims to streamline approvals, enhance transparency, and boost homebuyer confidence amidst Haryana's growing real estate market. By reducing bureaucratic delays and ensuring financial accountability, the government seeks to foster responsible development and timely project completions.Read more