Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has introduced a hybrid hearing system, allowing parties in disputes to attend either physically or via video-conference. The move follows directions from the Bombay High Court emphasizing that digital-only hearings cannot replace access to justice. Virtual hearings are recorded, and all orders are timestamped and published online. While simple cases are increasingly handled digitally, complex matters continue in person. The change aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and convenience, reducing travel and delays for homebuyers and developers across Maharashtra.Read more

The government has introduced norms limiting the redemption of ship-recycling credit notes to 5% of a new vessel's contract value. Shipowners receive credit notes equal to 40?% of the fair scrap value when eligible vessels are recycled at Indian yards certified under the Hong Kong International Convention. The note must be fully applied against a single new shipbuilding contract within three years, and partial utilisation is not allowed. Transfer or sale of unused notes is now permitted, offering flexibility and encouraging domestic shipbuilding growth while linking recycling benefits to fresh orders.Read more

The Maharashtra government has formed a high-level committee to bring all metro rail operations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) under one unified authority. Led by Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, the panel will draft a plan for merging multiple metro agencies, assess asset transfer and valuation, and study models such as Transport for London and Singapore's Land Transport Authority. The committee, which includes officials from Maha Metro, MMRCL, MMMOCL, CIDCO, and the Urban Development Department, will submit its report within three months.Read more

Adani Enterprises Ltd is likely to be chosen as the highest bidder to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) through the ongoing insolvency process, as its plan to make payments within two years has been found more suitable than Vedanta Ltd's five-year proposal. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) recently reviewed revised resolution plans from the five shortlisted bidders, with Adani's plan receiving the highest score. The CoC is expected to vote on the resolution plan in the coming weeks. JAL's total creditor claims stand at around INR 60,000 crore.Read more

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is revising India's three-decade-old toll-pricing framework to better reflect current highway conditions and vehicle usage. The existing model, based on vehicle operating costs, Vehicle Damage Factor (VDF), and users' willingness to pay, was last formalised in 2008 and is now outdated. NITI Aayog, with academic support, has been tasked with developing a modernised methodology by the end of the financial year. The new system aims to balance fairness for commuters with sustainable revenue for operators. India's 855 toll plazas collected INR 73,000 crore in 2024-25, and the updated framework is expected to guide future infrastructure planning and investment.Read more

The Ujjain Development Authority (UDA), along with the municipal corporation and district administration, demolished illegal constructions on three plots in Begambagh, each about 2,400 sq. ft., after leaseholders violated land-use terms. Originally allotted in 1985 for residential use under 30-year leases, the plots were later used for commercial purposes without renewal. Following the court's dismissal of a stay order, UDA reclaimed the land under CEO Sandeep Kumar Soni's supervision. Over 200 personnel ensured a peaceful operation. The UDA said it will continue monitoring other properties to prevent similar violations, reinforcing strict enforcement of lease and land-use regulations in Ujjain.Read more

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved US-based Blackstone's proposal to acquire up to 80.15% of Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd (AHFL) through its subsidiary, BCP Asia II Holdco VII Pte Ltd. The deal, involving a secondary acquisition and an open offer to public shareholders, will strengthen Blackstone's presence in India's affordable housing finance sector. AHFL offers housing and property loans across the country and also distributes insurance products as a registered corporate agent with IRDAI. With this approval, Blackstone advances its strategy to expand investments in financial services, marking a significant step in India's evolving housing finance landscape.Read more

Mumbai's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has booked real estate developer Subbaraman Anand Vilaynur, his wife Uma Subbaraman, and B P Gangar Constructions for allegedly duping homebuyers of nearly INR 100 crore. The case was filed following a complaint by a 62-year-old chartered accountant, Anil Dron, who claimed that 102 buyers were promised flats in the "Sky 31" project in Wadala (West) since 2018. Instead of using the collected funds for construction, the accused allegedly diverted them to personal and other accounts and even sold one flat to two different buyers.Read more

Security was tightened this week at railway stations across the Delhi-National Capital Region after a car explosion near the Red Fort metro area killed eight people and injured several others. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP), working with the Northern Railway, reviewed and strengthened arrangements at major stations such as New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Ghaziabad. The measures include more personnel, dog squads, CCTV surveillance and ordered checks of suspicious individuals. Travellers were asked to stay calm and cooperate.Read more

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) approved the capital's first Transit?Oriented Development (TOD) housing project 1,026 ready?to?launch two bedroom flats at Karkardooma under the "Towering Heights" scheme. Simultaneously, it cleared change of land use for 40.23 hectares under its land pooling policy. In the Narela sub-city, the authority sanctioned a multi-sports stadium on 30.35?hectares and an education?hub campus on 4.33 hectares. The enhanced FAR policy for commercial centres has been extended by one year and new developer charges for TOD zones have been fixed.Read more