The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has issued nearly 700 show-cause notices in Gurugram's DLF Phase 3 to curb unauthorised commercial activities, primarily in areas designated for economically weaker sections (EWS). This follows a Punjab and Haryana High Court mandate to restore the residential character of the neighborhood. Violations include conversions of 60-square-yard homes into paying guest accommodations, restaurants, and salons, prompting concerns about increased traffic and noise. Residents support the crackdown but highlight its impact on livelihoods. DTCP is conducting daily inspections and warns of legal consequences for non-compliance, with a court hearing set for January 10.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Patna has attached properties valued at INR 7.03 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The properties, located in Patna and Noida, are registered under M/s Sri Anuanand Construction Pvt Ltd and its director, Bimal Kumar. Investigations revealed that funds collected from buyers for a real estate project in Danapur, Patna, were misused. Instead of completing the project, INR 7.82 crore was allegedly diverted for acquiring personal assets.Read more

Chandigarh has extended its mandatory solar panel installation policy to homes on 250 sq yd (10 marla) plots, down from the earlier 500 sq yd (1 kanal) requirement. CREST has identified 4,552 eligible homes for implementation, aiming to boost the city's renewable energy output. With 1,800 of 6,408 larger plots already compliant, the new rules provide flexibility in panel sizing for smaller rooftops. The city's solar capacity now exceeds 68 MW, including significant contributions from 110 government schools. As Chandigarh drives towards sustainable energy, the initiative seeks to make solar adoption more accessible for homeowners.Read more

The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) now requires all real estate promoters to submit quarterly progress reports (QPRs) and annual audit certificates, regardless of registration timing. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring buyers stay informed about project timelines and developments. Promoters must detail residential and commercial unit statuses, bookings, and essential facilities like lifts, sewage treatment plants, and fire safety measures in revised QPR formats. By enforcing these rules, ORERA seeks to safeguard buyers' interests and foster trust in Odisha's real estate market, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed the suspension of all construction activities in Byculla and Borivli East following sustained Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 200, indicating "poor" air quality. The directive applies to private and public projects, including civic and state infrastructure initiatives. Monitoring of AQI levels in Worli and Colaba-Navy Nagar will determine if similar measures are necessary there. Non-compliance could result in legal action against violators under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act and the civic body has pledged stricter enforcement of these measures.Read more

The Indian government is enhancing its infrastructure project monitoring system to better track milestones during the pre-construction phase and improve project data accuracy. The updated Online Computerised Monitoring System (OCMS), managed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), will identify potential delays and ensure costs remain within approved limits. It will now integrate with the India Investment Grid (IIG)-Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal for unified data management. The OCMS facilitates oversight of central infrastructure projects worth INR 150 crore and above, offering comprehensive financial and progress reports. This initiative involves collaboration with key departments to ensure consistency and efficiency.Read more

The Telangana government is addressing land registration irregularities through the Bhu Bharathi Act, replacing the RoR Act, 2020. The Act mandates GPS coordinates for registering agricultural properties, aiming to prevent fraud, such as double registrations and illegal sales. Licensed surveyors will map land parcels, integrating these maps into digital records, pattadar passbooks, and village maps. A unique Bhu Dhar number will be assigned to each parcel to improve transparency. The state plans comprehensive land surveys, leveraging earlier laws and seeking central funding. Experts believe these measures will enhance clarity in land transactions and streamline property ownership records.Read more

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has filed an FIR against 18 individuals for constructing unauthorised housing projects on government land in Tusyana village, causing financial losses to the government and misleading buyers with false claims of freehold property. Despite multiple warnings, the offenders continued these activities, prompting GNIDA to initiate strict action. GNIDA officials aim to declare these individuals as "land mafia" and launch a crackdown against such illegal developments. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also imposed restrictions on unauthorised constructions in the region, highlighting violations of environmental laws.Read more

The Maharashtra state registration department is intensifying efforts to promote its online property registration system for first-sale properties conducted from developers' offices. Launched two years ago, the initiative aims to streamline the registration process and reduce footfall at registration offices. So far, 300 developers have participated, with over 7,000 property documents registered in the past year. To boost adoption, the department has provided training to over 500 developers and expects another 300 to join soon. Despite fluctuating registration numbers, high-value transactions ensured monthly revenue stayed robust, contributing significantly to the annual revenue target.Read more

MahaRERA has instructed Lokhandwala-Kataria Construction, the promoter of the Minerva project in Lower Parel, to compensate a homebuyer for delayed possession of two flats. The interest, calculated from January 2022 until possession with an Occupation Certificate (OC), will be at SBI's Marginal Cost Lending Rate (MCLR) plus 26 basis points. Additionally, the promoter must release the mortgage on the flats before handing over possession. The complaint highlighted discrepancies in project disclosures and significant delays beyond the promised possession date of December 2020. MahaRERA dismissed the promoter's allegations of fraudulent agreements as baseless and upheld the validity of the agreements for sale, delivering a significant verdict in favour of the homebuyer.Read more