HYDRAA has initiated a 15-day survey to address park encroachments in Ameenpur municipality, responding to complaints from residents in colonies like Venkataramana and Chakrapuri. The survey, involving multiple government departments, aims to identify encroachments on government land and park boundaries. HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath emphasised the agency's commitment to protecting public spaces, especially parks, from illegal occupation. Recent demolitions targeting encroachments have sparked discussions, with officials ensuring a fair process. The survey's findings will guide future actions to reclaim encroached areas, aligning with HYDRAA's broader strategy of safeguarding public assets in Hyderabad.Read more

The Housing And Urban Development Department in Tamil Nadu has introduced a framework to facilitate the redevelopment of 30-year-old buildings, reinforcing the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act. Under the new rules, apartment owners must establish associations, pass resolutions, and secure written consent from at least two-thirds of owners for redevelopment. If a building is deemed unsafe, a detailed redevelopment report must be prepared. S. Ramprabhu from the Builders Association of India highlighted that these guidelines are essential for effective association management and called for the creation of an online application system to streamline the redevelopment process statewide.Read more

The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has ordered the disconnection of essential services for 11 illegally constructed buildings in Palam Vihar's C2 block. Originally, each 500-square-yard plot was approved for one housing unit per floor, but up to 16 unauthorized flats were built. The case is now in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, following protests and a petition from local residents. DTCP has requested immediate enforcement, involving water, sewer, and electricity cuts, and filed multiple complaints against property owners. The issue highlights serious concerns over building regulation violations and their impact on local infrastructure.Read more

The Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) is set to demolish a 40-year-old residential building in Marsingpet, Trichy, after residents raised concerns about its safety. During a recent site visit, Mayor Mu Anbalagan highlighted the need to expedite the demolition and the construction of a new ground plus three-story building featuring 84 units. Although residents were asked to vacate in 2022, four families still live there. TNUHDB plans to start construction within six months, with existing residents guaranteed housing in the new development. The Trichy corporation has committed to providing essential amenities for the project.Read more

The Mumbai Architects Collective, comprising 92 architects, planners, and designers, has written to the BMC commissioner, raising concerns about the increasing allotment of parks and open spaces for infrastructure projects, commercial purposes, and parking. The letter specifically addresses the threats to spaces like the Hanging Gardens, Racecourse, Aarey forest, and the salt pans. The collective praised the recent efforts to protect Raosaheb Patwardhan Park and Pushpa Narsee Park from parking lot construction, highlighting the need for preserving open spaces for public use and safeguarding the city's environmental, social, and economic future.Read more

In a recent review meeting, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy assured that no impoverished families would be left homeless due to the demolition of illegal constructions in Hyderabad's water body buffer zones. The demolitions, led by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HYDRAA), aim to protect and restore water bodies, including those within the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The government will provide double-bedroom (2BHK) units to displaced families, with 16,000 units allocated for the Musi riverfront development. Compensation will be offered for landowners in buffer zones, while non-landowners will receive housing. To prevent future encroachments, CCTV cameras will monitor water bodies, linking to a central control centre.Read more

The Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) has faced another setback in the High Court concerning 29 acres of land designated for Residential Scheme No. 16 in Kanabargi, stalled for 17 years due to a legal dispute with farmers. A previous ruling favoured the farmers, who own several residential buildings on the land. BUDA's commissioner acknowledged a technical issue and indicated a potential appeal. Meanwhile, farmers of the remaining 131 acres have agreed to proceed with the project, urging BUDA to move forward. Under pressure, BUDA recently called for tenders, stating there are no current obstacles to implementation.Read more

The Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has blacklisted several architects for illegally certifying four-storey residential buildings in violation of government regulations. These architects issued Occupation Certificates (OCs) for buildings with stilt parking, bypassing the 2023 restrictions set by HSVP. They used the Self-Certification Rules to approve these structures without adhering to proper norms, including failing to pay required fees like Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and External Development Charges (EDC). Legal action was initiated after 58 homes were found violating the rules, and the architects' IDs have been removed from the online building approval system pending further investigation.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has taken decisive action against unauthorized constructions in the Airoli division, specifically targeting an RCC building at Sagarnath Rama Madhvi in Diva Village. Despite issuing a notice under Section 54 of the Maharashtra Regional Planning and Town Planning Act, 1966, the unauthorized construction continued. Following a High Court order, the demolition of the fifth floor began, utilizing manual tools due to site access limitations. This operation was supported by a team of laborers and officials from the Airoli Division, highlighting the Corporation's commitment to enforcing regulations and addressing illegal constructions effectively.Read more

The Indore district administration has launched an initiative to grant land ownership rights to residents of 29 villages incorporated into the municipal corporation in 2014. This move addresses long-standing challenges faced by residents without formal land ownership documents, which hindered property sales and access to loans. Under guidelines from the Revenue Department, eligible residents can apply for a 30-year lease, simplifying property transactions and development. Camps will be set up at tehsil offices to collect applications on September 29, 2024. Required documents include utility bills, census records, and voter lists. This initiative aims to formalize land rights and boost economic development in the area.Read more