The government has demolished several illegal structures and homes in Cunchelim-Bardez that were built on land acquired for a multi-religious burial ground. The land, valued at INR 11 crore, was meant for a crematorium catering to three communities. Following a survey by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, it was discovered that the land had been encroached upon. As many as 140 illegal houses are at risk of demolition, with some already taken down earlier this week. Local authorities oversaw the demolition, with former residents watching as heavy machinery removed their homes.Read more

The Bombay High Court has temporarily halted the distribution of 80 transit apartments in MHADA's Bombay Dyeing Mill redevelopment project, providing relief to over 35 former mill workers. The workers alleged irregularities, including "double allotments," and claimed only six of the 11 buildings on the site were allocated to them, violating Development Control Regulations. The petitioners demanded all 240 apartments in the current construction be reserved for workers, citing a lengthy waiting list. This case underscores the ongoing housing struggles of Mumbai's mill workers, who have sought accommodations since the mills' closure. The court will review the matter in February 2025 to ensure compliance with housing regulations.Read more

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has issued show cause letters to 39 builders for failing to follow air pollution control regulations. If the builders fail to respond satisfactorily, their construction efforts may be halted. Earlier this week, TMC reviewed its air pollution control measures, which included fines for infractions, the installation of air quality monitoring systems, and tight debris management restrictions. The TMC has also issued fines on various vehicles and companies that violated pollution standards, proving its commitment to reducing air pollution in the city.Read more

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Gurugram has cancelled the occupation certificates (OCs) for 81 houses in DLF Phase 5 for breaching building codes, zoning laws, and approved plans. These properties, originally designated for the economically weaker section (EWS), were found to have exceeded construction limits, with some buildings extending to five or six floors instead of the approved three or four. Many were also being used for illegal commercial purposes. This move follows an earlier survey by the district town planner, which led to notices and sealing actions for over 100 houses.Read more

The Supreme Court recently delivered a verdict affirming the constitutional right to property under Article 300-A of the Constitution. It highlighted the importance of ensuring individuals receive adequate compensation when their land is acquired by the government. The case involved the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project, where landowners had been deprived of compensation for over 22 years due to delays by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board. The Court directed the Special Land Acquisition Officer to reassess the compensation based on market value as of 2019 and emphasized the need for prompt action in such cases.Read more

The Karnataka cabinet's recent decision to create a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation has been hailed as a victory by the residents who have been advocating for it for over a decade. The apolitical movement led by the Agitation Committee for Separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation, supported by local organisations and political parties, has finally succeeded. This decision is expected to enhance civic amenities in Dharwad. Previous demands, including a 2021 meeting with former Chief Minister Bommai, have been long-neglected, but now, the creation of a new corporation promises significant improvements, especially in terms of infrastructure and development.Read more

Property transactions in Bengaluru faced significant delays at the start of the year due to confusion over the transfer of 90 sub-registrars. Disputes over positions and conflicting court orders disrupted operations at several sub-registrar offices, with some officers lacking necessary system login IDs. This led to backlogs and halted registrations, causing inconvenience for buyers and sellers. The state government, advised by the Advocate-General, issued login IDs to the newly transferred officers, but resistance from incumbents further complicated the situation. Authorities are working to resolve the issue promptly, highlighting the need for better management of government employee transfers to prevent disruptions in critical public services.Read more

A state-appointed panel will commence inspections of all 30 integrated townships in Maharashtra starting this year, following a year's delay. These assessments will evaluate water availability, construction progress, amenities, and affordable housing provisions while ensuring compliance with the state's integrated township policy. Initial inspections in Nagpur revealed significant delays in delivering promised amenities, prompting calls for stricter checks. Concerns over inadequate civic amenities, such as water shortages and lack of conservation efforts, have been raised by residents. The panel aims to address these issues and ensure planned development across the townships, especially those concentrated in Pune, Konkan, and Nagpur divisions.Read more

Hyderabad's illegal construction problem has prompted the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to adopt stringent measures, including technology integration and stricter penalties. Following Telangana High Court orders, GHMC plans to track violations through an online platform, enforce a 400% penalty on offenders, and mark unauthorized structures in encumbrance certificates to deter buyers. Illegal constructions exacerbate urban issues like waterlogging and traffic congestion, often involving unapproved floors or residential-to-commercial conversions. GHMC's new guidelines aim to ensure sustainable urban growth and compliance with planning norms. Success depends on consistent enforcement, public awareness, and departmental collaboration to address this persistent urban challenge.Read more

The three development agencies in Gautam Budh Nagar-Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway are scheduled to unify their industrial plot allocation procedures after more than 14 years of delays. The authorities have been directed by Chief Secretary Manoj Singh to standardize their policies and submit them for final approval. Plots up to 8,000 square meters will be put up for sale, while bigger plots will be distributed using objective criteria and interviews, according to the updated policy. Although the policy seeks to streamline procedures and encourage openness, questions have been expressed on how it might affect MSMEs and small businesses.Read more