The Zojila tunnel project, which aims to connect Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir with Minamarg in Ladakh, will now be completed by February 2028, missing its earlier target of September 2026. The tunnel has seen about 64% physical progress, and over INR 3,934 crore has been spent so far out of the total INR 6,809 crore budget. The delay has been attributed to COVID-19 disruptions, a terror attack at a nearby site, and tough weather conditions. Once completed, the tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity and significantly improve travel and logistics between Srinagar and Leh.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has moved the Supreme Court against a Bombay High Court order directing it to restore 119.91 hectares of land in Kanjurmarg to mangrove forest. BMC argues the land is vital for waste disposal, handling 90% of Mumbai's solid waste. The land's status has been contested since 2006, with a 2009 government move to de-notify it as forest facing legal challenge from NGO Vanshakti. The High Court ruled that forest de-notification lacked Central approval, making it invalid. BMC claims part of the land was mistakenly tagged as forest and is now urging the Supreme Court to reverse the order.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently conducted an inspection drive at the Kamala Mills Compound in Lower Parel, taking action against numerous violations of safety and civic regulations. The drive, carried out by multiple departments, found illegal structural alterations, unauthorized extensions, and kitchens operating without proper licenses or fire safety measures. This special focus on Kamala Mills, a high-footfall area that experienced a tragic fire in 2017, is part of the BMC's wider effort to ensure compliance and prevent future incidents. Officials have served notices and issued stop-work orders, with further inspections planned across other commercial hubs in the city.Read more

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) has initiated the revival of a long-stalled development project through a land pooling strategy aimed at resolving compensation-related disputes. Located near Chandigarh Road, the project had been inactive for nearly two decades due to land acquisition hurdles. The scheme, recently approved by the state government, seeks to balance landowner and authority interests by offering a portion of developed land in return for voluntarily pooled plots. The move is expected to unlock significant development potential in the region.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) carried out a demolition drive in Airoli under the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. Despite having served prior notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, the individuals involved failed to remove unauthorised structures on their own. As a result, the encroachments at two sites in Sector 4, Airoli were forcibly cleared, and a penalty of INR 50,000 was levied on each offender. The drive was executed with support from the encroachment department, local police, and demolition personnel.Read more

The government of Arunachal Pradesh introduced a fully digital building permit platform earlier this week, marking a major reform in its urban governance strategy. The Online Building Permission System (OBPS) is now mandatory for all construction-related approvals, aiming to boost transparency, minimise delays, and simplify the application process. Officials stated that architects and other professionals must register on the portal, with the platform to be gradually handed over to district-level authorities. The system has been developed with central-state coordination and technical support from NIC Shillong and E-Government Foundation.Read more

Last week the Lucknow Development Authority announced that it intends to offer over one hundred long-vacant shops for direct purchase on a first-come-first-served basis, following repeated unsuccessful auctions due to high reserve prices and poor condition of properties. The authority also proposes converting more than forty unutilised public-facility plots into residential and commercial use. This initiative forms part of a broader budget proposal designed to boost revenue and support major infrastructure and housing developments.Read more

In a recent development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to impose a stay on the land allotment made to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Visakhapatnam, despite a public interest litigation challenging the decision. The petitioner alleged undervaluation and procedural lapses, but the court observed that such incentives were common practice to attract early-stage investment. The government clarified that the land was being leased and not sold, with the court allowing the process to continue pending final adjudication.Read more

Haryana's Chief Minister has unveiled a major welfare push: one lakh Antyodaya families will receive 100 sq yd plots with ownership documents, and hospitals in ten districts are set to begin offering private-grade treatment at subsidised prices. Fuel subsidy, farmer support, water and health infrastructure, and youth employment drive are also featured. This builds on earlier pledges and reveals a broader vision beyond just land allotment. The initiative marks a tangible shift in how welfare benefits reach rural underprivileged communities.Read more

The Supreme Court has allowed a petitioner challenging Haryana's stilt-plus-four floors (S+4) construction policy to seek interim relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It also granted liberty to request an earlier date for hearing expected to be advanced from October to sometime in August. The petition questions the state's decision to revive the S+4 building permissions despite previous concerns over infrastructure stress. With policy opponents raising legal and environmental red flags, the upcoming High Court proceedings are likely to significantly impact urban planning in Gurgaon and other cities.Read more