A major fire broke out at a Mukherjee Nagar PG facility in northwest Delhi, allegedly due to faulty electrical wiring ignored by the building owner despite multiple complaints. Thirty-five individuals were rescued, and a case has been registered against the owner. A police probe is underway to determine if fire safety protocols were violated. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has ordered a survey of all PG facilities in the area. Survivors claim repeated pleas to fix wiring issues were ignored. This incident follows the MCD's recent sealing drive against coaching centres without NOCs after a similar fire left 61 students injured.Read more

A land buyer in Tindivanam, Villupuram, found himself entangled in a corruption scandal when local authorities demanded a hefty bribe of Rs. 50 lakh for the registration of his land holdings. Refusing to comply, he attempted to register without paying the bribe but faced obstacles, including the invocation of an unconstitutional rule. The Madras High Court has now intervened in the case, expressing concern over the government's defence of the officials' actions. The court has impleaded the Enforcement Directorate and the income tax department to investigate the alleged corruption and misconduct in this land registration case, with further hearings scheduled this week.Read more

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has uncovered a significant land scam involving fraudulent land allotment to a private developer in the Gomtinagar Extension scheme, amounting to approximately Rs 100 crore. The investigation, led by LDA Vice-Chairperson Indramani Tripathi, revealed that a parcel of land was fraudulently included in land acquisitions for development schemes and subsequently allocated to the developer. This scandal underscores the need for robust oversight, transparency, and accountability in land allocation processes. It also highlights the financial risks associated with fraudulent activities in land transactions and the importance of maintaining public trust in the administration.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has issued a directive to real estate project promoters, requiring them to provide comprehensive and accurate contact information for their designated correspondents. This move aims to improve communication and transparency within the real estate sector. The new guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining open communication channels between promoters and stakeholders, particularly homebuyers. Promoters are also required to ensure the continuous functionality of helpline numbers associated with their projects. This initiative is expected to boost confidence among consumers and enhance the overall integrity of the real estate industry in Uttar Pradesh.Read more

The MHADA in Pune has extended the application deadline for its 2023 lottery, offering over 5,863 affordable homes across Pune, Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur. MHADA has already received an impressive 32,000 applications. Of these homes, 2,445 will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with prices ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1.11 crore. The application deadline has been extended to October 20, 2023, with lottery results to be announced on November 9. The apartments vary in size from 204 to 1,087 square feet, with configurations ranging from 1 RK to 3 BHK.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is drafting a new policy to facilitate the sale of 49 prime Sabarmati riverfront plots. This decision follows a decade of challenges faced by the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd in selling these plots to private developers. Previous valuations, last conducted in 2016, were deemed excessive by industry experts. With the new policy in the works, potential buyers and stakeholders are keenly awaiting its implications for future riverfront development in Ahmedabad.Read more

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Mumbai has initiated the acquisition process for 2,033 flats intended for the rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs). This process involves acquiring flats from both builders and squatters and aims to streamline the allocation process for slum dwellers displaced by various projects in the city. The SRA has deployed ten flying squads, each led by a naib tehsildar, to check 925 houses, marking the beginning of the encroachment removal process. This proactive approach reflects the authorities' commitment to addressing housing challenges and expediting rehabilitation projects for the benefit of slum dwellers in Mumbai.Read more

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has temporarily halted the allocation of development permissions (DPs) for both residential and commercial projects within knowledge institute zones spanning 24.1 square kilometres around Ahmedabad city. This decision aims to protect the original purpose of these zones, which were designated for knowledge institutions. While no official circular has been issued, AUDA anticipates potential changes to the general development control regulations (GDCR) for these zones. The move comes in response to concerns that residential and commercial constructions have been encroaching upon the knowledge institute zones, which were initially intended solely for educational institutions.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) officials met with the local bodies department to secure approval for the Atal Apartments project, which has faced prolonged delays and uncertainty over its 15-year history. LIT officials, despite concerns about a low bid, expressed optimism about receiving written approval, highlighting the project's importance. The project involves constructing HIG and MIG flats with modern amenities, and once approved, it is expected to take three years to complete at an estimated cost of Rs 224 crore.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) has issued a warning to prospective buyers and investors about misleading and fraudulent advertising by Sarvottam World regarding their 'Megapolis/Sarvottam Megapolis' project in the 'NEWOIDA' hi-tech township. UP RERA Secretary Pramod Kumar Upadhyay expressed concern, stating that the project mentioned in the advertisements is not registered with RERA, and the registration numbers provided belong to other promoters. Such misleading advertising violates the RERA Act of 2016 and can harm prospective buyers. UP RERA urged buyers to exercise due diligence and verify project details using the registration number provided on the RERA portal before making decisions.Read more