Authorities in Indore have uncovered a major land registry scam worth INR 100 crore, involving forged property documents dating back to 1957. An internal audit revealed mismatches in buyer-seller details and missing thumb impressions in 18 suspicious registry entries. A five-member committee confirmed tampering of official records, prompting an FIR under multiple sections of the IPC. The police are investigating possible collusion among registration and municipal staff. The fraud spans residential, commercial, and agricultural plots in prime city locations. In response, a ban was recently imposed on notarising high-value property documents. Forensic verification is underway, with arrests expected as the case unfolds.Read more

The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has reinforced compliance by instructing developers to submit Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) within a strict timeframe. Promoters who fail to meet this requirement risk having their projects marked as "non-compliant." This directive aligns with Rule 16 of the Odisha Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, and is intended to ensure accountability and transparency in the state's real estate sector. The authority has now begun tagging defaulting projects on its official platform to publicly highlight non-adherence.Read more

Three properties in Sushant Lok 1, Gurugram were sealed by the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) during an enforcement drive conducted earlier this week. Authorities cited violations of residential zoning regulations, including illegal commercial operations and unauthorised construction. A crèche plot was being misused for educational and dance classes, a residential building was operating as a girls' hostel, and parking space had been converted into living units. While residents responded with mixed views, the department stated the action was necessary to uphold civic order.Read more

The Supreme Court recently granted in-principle clearance to cut 95 trees in Film City for Mumbai's Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) tunnel project. This east-west connectivity initiative, crucial for easing Mumbai traffic, received the nod with a key condition: no trees are to be cut without court approval of a compensatory afforestation plan. The Court also requested a report from experts who approved the project's alignment, questioning whether alternative solutions were considered. While emphasizing environmental protection, the bench stressed the need for sustainable development and essential infrastructure, citing the positive impact of existing projects like the Coastal Road and Atal Setu on Mumbai's traffic.Read more

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently opened bids for the redevelopment of 64 slum plots on its land, receiving 86 responses. However, only 22 plots across seven wards attracted bidders, while 26 schemes found no takers and 17 were kept on hold due to technical reasons. This initiative, under Regulation 33(10) of DCPR-2034, allows for redevelopment without the consent of slum dwellers on BMC-owned land. The civic body aims to develop around 400,000 square meters of land and will remain the planning authority, with further bid openings scheduled for early August.Read more

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recently undertook a demolition drive in the Koparkhairane area after repeated notices to the concerned party were disregarded. The action was carried out under the guidance of senior officials, including the municipal commissioner, following non-compliance with a prior notice issued under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The unauthorised structure was razed for the third time, with a fully-equipped civic team and police presence ensuring smooth execution.Read more

The Bombay High Court has issued an interim order temporarily stopping a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme on over 3.5 acres of land designated for Mumbai University. The university claims the land, acquired for academic purposes between 1967 and 1974, was improperly recorded, leading to encroachment and its notification as a slum without the university's knowledge. Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor expressed concern over public land being used for slum redevelopment due to the government's failure to prevent encroachment. The court adjourned the matter to August 11, seeking replies from all parties involved, to clarify whether SRA can approve such a scheme on land meant for a public institution.Read more

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) plans to introduce stricter rules to combat illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Soon, building owners in Hyderabad will need to submit a C&D waste disposal certificate to get occupancy certificates (OCs). This move aims to reduce illegal dumping on roads and in water bodies, which is a major environmental issue. The proposed rules will require property owners to use approved C&D waste collection agencies and keep disposal records. Penalties for improper disposal will also increase, ensuring proper waste management in the city and impacting those who do not comply with the new norms.Read more

The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) has launched an awareness campaign for its new Building Construction and Development Bylaws-2025 and Model Zoning Regulation-2025. The initiative aims to simplify construction processes, promote green buildings, and encourage vertical growth within the city. Through workshops and events, VDA is educating builders and property owners about key provisions, including simplified registration, set time limits for NOCs, and increased Floor Area Ratio.Read more

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has initiated stricter monitoring of construction material dumping on city roadsides to combat waterlogging. Developers of under-construction buildings are now required to store materials immediately on the ground floor once built, facing stop-work notices for non-compliance. This directive follows complaints of inundation caused by debris, which is often illegally dumped in drains and vacant plots. The move aligns with existing rules mandating proper waste disposal and comes as a similar redressal system for construction and demolition waste is being developed in New Town to enhance urban cleanliness and prevent blockages.Read more