The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has made significant payments totalling INR 428 crore for land acquisitions in Mulund, Kurla, and Deonar to build rental housing for ineligible residents, identified through an ongoing survey. The SPV, Navbharat Mega Developers Pvt Ltd (NMDPL), with Adani Realty holding 80% equity, has faced legal challenges with some land, such as in Bhandup and Kanjurmarg, still under litigation. Despite paying for Mulund salt pan land and Kurla dairy land, physical possession remains pending. Additionally, the state government must address statutory compliance and compensation for lessees. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Kurla and other areas, with residents opposing the project and demanding alternative uses for the land, adding further complications to the redevelopment efforts.Read more

Landowners participating in the Bhubaneswar Development Authority's (BDA) town planning (TP) scheme No. 8, covering Dasapur and Andharua, are frustrated over delays in converting their agricultural land to homestead status. Despite their willingness to contribute 40% of their land for urban development, they argue that the lack of conversion hinders their ability to build homes. BDA's deputy commissioner acknowledged the issues and announced a helpdesk in Kalinga Nagar to address concerns. The TP scheme is crucial for Bhubaneswar's satellite city plans, and timely resolution is essential to ensure successful urban development and landowner participation.Read more

Following the Sohana building collapse that claimed two lives, the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) has initiated an inquiry to identify officials responsible for regulatory lapses from 2018 to 2023. MC Commissioner T. Benith is reviewing approvals and inspections, with potential action against negligent officials. A comprehensive survey is underway to detect illegal constructions, revealing significant violations such as unauthorized six-story buildings. The MC aims to enforce stricter building regulations to prevent future incidents and ensure compliance with safety standards. This initiative underscores the urgency of addressing construction violations and improving oversight mechanisms in urban development.Read more

The Haryana government has introduced a new tree felling policy for non-forest land, eliminating the need for approvals on government-acquired or allocated plots for residential and industrial projects. The policy, aimed at balancing urban development and environmental protection, allows for the removal of non-native species like eucalyptus and poplar without permission, while indigenous species remain protected. Haryana's forest cover declined by 13.9 sq km from 2021 to 2023, with 8.2% of its land facing desertification. Environmentalists warn of further degradation, though initiatives like Pran Vayu Devta aim to preserve heritage trees, offering financial incentives to owners of 3,876 trees.Read more

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is preparing to propose a mandatory structural audit for multi-storey buildings every three years during its first board meeting of the year. The proposal will make developers responsible for the audits, with accountability shifting to apartment owners' associations (AOAs) if maintenance is transferred. The policy will classify defects as major or minor, with clear timelines for rectification. Industry experts and residents believe this move will enhance building safety, especially in earthquake-prone regions like Delhi-NCR.Read more

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Bhopal has initiated a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) to investigate alleged irregularities in Sahara Group's land sales. The enquiry focuses on violations of Supreme Court directives that required proceeds from land sales to be deposited in a SEBI-Sahara refund account for investor reimbursement. Instead, the funds were allegedly diverted into accounts belonging to Sahara entities and private shell companies. The probe targets officials from Sahara Housing Corporation Investment Group, authorised sellers, and revenue officers, raising questions about the internal misuse of funds.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently attached two commercial properties worth INR 82 crore in Delhi and Gurugram as part of its investigation into a money-laundering case involving MGF Developments and its director, Shravan Gupta. The case stems from allegations that Gupta misappropriated INR 180 crore from Emaar MGF Land Limited, a joint venture between Emaar PJSC and MGF Developments. Gupta allegedly siphoned off funds using two companies under false agreements. Despite several summonses, Gupta has yet to cooperate with the investigation.Read more

The Maharashtra Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (MahaREAT) overturned a previous MahaRERA decision that dismissed complaints of eight homebuyers regarding the One Park Avenue project in Thane. The dispute originated when the initial promoter, Man Global, failed to issue allotment letters or execute sale agreements after receiving advance payments in 2012. The project later transitioned to Man Realty and eventually to Purva Oak under SARFAESI provisions. Recognising the complainants as allottees, MahaREAT ruled that all pending obligations were transferred to Purva Oak. The Tribunal directed the current promoter to execute sale agreements, ensuring the accrued rights of the complainants remained valid and enforceable.Read more

The Dharwad High Court recently ruled in favour of Srinivas Bheemanna Menadal, a resident of Koppal, who had filed a petition challenging the Koppal Municipal Council's refusal to transfer a property khata from his deceased wife's name to his. The council had denied the request citing the absence of town planning authority approval for the layout. Menadal argued that the rejection was unlawful, supported by a High Court judgment that had previously ruled that khata registration cannot be denied based on layout maintenance concerns. The court agreed, revoking the council's decision and setting a four-week deadline for the transfer to be completed.Read more

A real estate developer, Harinder Bashista, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding his investors of INR 30 crore through a fraudulent property scheme. The case stems from a complaint filed in May 2022, which led to the registration of an FIR in June 2022. Investors, including Sunil Gupta, were tricked into buying units in a project in Greater Noida with false promises and fake documents. Despite assurances of timely possession, the project remains incomplete, leaving buyers without their promised units. As of now, the developer faces 75 complaints from affected investors.Read more