Maharashtra's Charity Commissioner, Amogh Kaloti, has intervened to stop the sale of a 12,000-square-meter property in Pune's Model Colony owned by the Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust. The property, which includes a Jain boarding facility and Mahavir Digambar Jain Temple, was set to be sold to Gokhale Constructions for INR 311 crore. Opposition from sections of the Jain community led to the intervention, with the Commissioner ordering a 'status quo' and seeking a detailed report. The trust maintains that all legal processes were followed during the sale.Read more

Pune Municipal Corporation suspended two TDR department officials for permitting illegal construction at a Baner property. The sixth-floor slab was complete, and work on the seventh floor had begun without approval, while the proposal for additional TDR was still under review. This step reflects PMC's ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with building rules and prevent misuse of development rights. Earlier, sanitation staff were suspended and other officials transferred. The civic body is actively inspecting properties to detect violations and strengthen regulatory oversight.Read more

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced its plan to deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states covering over 20,000 kilometres of National Highways. The initiative, aimed at improving commuter experience, will involve systematic data collection, processing and analysis of road inventory and pavement conditions. The survey data will be uploaded to NHAI's AI-driven portal for evaluation and maintenance planning, ensuring better highway upkeep and future asset management.Read more

A technical team from the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) recently conducted a detailed inspection at the sites in Maradu, Kochi, where apartment complexes had been demolished following Supreme Court orders. The visit aimed to review compliance with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, assess post-demolition land restoration and evaluate the ecological health of the adjoining water bodies. A comprehensive report will soon be presented to the central and state governments.Read more

The Rajasthan government is reportedly considering a proposal to allow land-use conversion within the one-kilometre eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) surrounding the Jawai Bandh leopard conservation area in Pali district. The move follows a representation from a hotelier who claimed existing restrictions were hampering tourism and local livelihoods. While the proposal could encourage economic development and tourism growth, conservationists fear it may violate environmental norms and threaten the fragile habitat of the country's only population of cave-dwelling leopards.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), in partnership with Project Mumbai and Mindspace REIT, has launched an innovative Navi Mumbai Plastic and E-Waste Recyclothon; to promote sustainable urban living. The initiative, involving over two lakh citizens across more than 200 locations, focuses on reducing plastic and e-waste through recycling and reuse. It aims to transform collected waste into usable public materials like benches, planters, and school supplies, while fostering behavioural change towards responsible waste management and advancing Navi Mumbai's vision of becoming a model sustainable city.Read more

Earlier this month, the Telangana government deposited INR 2,223 crore into the accounts of beneficiaries under the Indiramma housing initiative, with weekly disbursements tied to construction progress. Over 22,000 beneficiaries received payments totalling INR 252 crore in a single week, the largest weekly sum to date. Across the state, about 2.18 lakh houses are under construction in various stages, and the government reaffirms its pledge to support timely completion through direct financial transfers.Read more

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has launched a one-time scheme allowing property owners with B-khata status to convert their holdings to A-khata. Applicable to eligible single-plot sites under 2,000 sq metres, applications must be submitted online via the BBMP portal, authenticated through Aadhaar, and include consent to convert private roads to public ones. Applicants will undergo site inspections and pay 5% of the site's guidance value. The 100-day campaign, beginning in November, aims to help around 1.5 million owners regularise properties. The initiative seeks to simplify property records, promote transparency, and ensure better infrastructure through the creation of a unified A-khata system.Read more

The Bombay High Court has clarified that CIDCO's 22.5% developed land return scheme is optional, not mandatory, for landowners. If landowners choose not to participate, CIDCO must follow the due process under the LARR Act, 2013, and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, including providing full monetary compensation. The judgment reinforces statutory property rights and fair compensation principles. Experts suggest the ruling could affect land acquisition practices in Navi Mumbai, particularly in projects like the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).Read more

The Bombay High Court recently annulled the Slum Rehabilitation Authority's (SRA) acquisition of NESCO Limited's land in Goregaon (East) for a slum redevelopment project. The court determined that the acquisition violated due process under the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. NESCO had contested the acquisition, asserting its right to redevelop its land and challenging the legality of the proceedings. In a surprising turn, slum dwellers supported NESCO's stance, citing issues with the previous developer.Read more