The Bombay High Court has instructed MahaRERA to bring back hybrid hearings within four weeks, allowing parties to choose between physical and virtual appearances. This order came in response to a public petition that raised issues of stalled execution proceedings, missing timelines, and lack of urgent case listings. The court noted that denying physical hearings despite available infrastructure was unjustified and a violation of fair access to justice. It also directed MahaRERA to update its circular and procedures to include timestamped orders, clear scheduling, and greater transparency through published contact and hearing details. A compliance report is expected in the coming weeks.Read more
Over 300 housing units built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Lucknow's Basant Kunj scheme were allotted to eligible applicants during a lottery process that began last Thursday. This marks a significant step towards providing affordable housing in the city, with the draw continuing for various reserved categories over the weekend. The 1,000-unit project, for which applications were invited in 2021, aims to provide compact yet well-equipped homes at an accessible cost to urban poor families, aligning with the broader goal of 'Housing for All' in Uttar Pradesh and nationwide.Read more
Gurugram's Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) demolished 13 unauthorised colonies covering over 40 acres. The crackdown targeted areas in Kadarpur, Dhankot, Kherki Majra and Bhondsi, where illegal plotting, boundary walls, and under-construction buildings were removed. More than 50 structures, including internal roads and plinths, were dismantled. This drive is part of DTCP's broader effort to curb illegal developments and protect planned urban growth. The department also issued warnings in licensed colonies where commercial misuse and construction violations were detected.Read more
Nearly 10 years after C&D waste management became mandatory for local bodies, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) still lacks a dedicated plant, an RTI query has revealed. This failure means C&D debris is illegally dumped in low-lying areas, violating environmental rules and affecting air quality. Despite the demolition of numerous illegal buildings and ongoing redevelopment generating significant waste, the VVCMC has only sent a proposal for a plant in Gokhivare for approval. This absence of proper management raises concerns about pollution and highlights the civic body's ongoing struggle to comply with environmental regulations.Read more
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has identified 351 illegal colonies, covering approximately 3,000 acres, and is cautioning residents against investing in these properties. Many of these unauthorized settlements have emerged over the past few decades, with 30 new ones appearing since 2021. Despite regular demolition drives and the development of an AI-enabled detection system, GDA faces challenges, especially with older colonies, as buyers often misunderstand that property registration alone provides legal validity. This issue, exacerbated by middlemen, highlights a persistent legacy problem in urban planning and enforcement across Ghaziabad.Read more
The Delhi High Court has recently sought responses from the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) regarding a petition to ban unauthorized constructions in areas like Jaitpur Extension and Badarpur. The plea, filed by advocates Shiv Shankar and Ajay Kumar Singh Chauhan, argues that these illegal structures pose safety risks, cause accidents, including building collapses, and hinder the regularization of colonies. The petition also claims widespread corruption among officials, stating minimal action has been taken against thousands of unauthorized buildings, a situation that highlights ongoing challenges in urban planning and enforcement.Read more
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested six individuals in two major real estate fraud cases in the NCR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Promoters of Universal Buildwell-Raman, Varun, and Vikram Puri-were apprehended for allegedly siphoning over INR 1,000 crore from homebuyers with false project promises. In a separate case, Sandeep Yadav and Arvind Walia of Ramprastha Group were arrested for an INR 1,100 crore fraud involving 2,000+ homebuyers across delayed projects like Ramprastha City. Funds were allegedly diverted instead of being used for construction. The ED has also attached assets worth INR 681.54 crore and continues its crackdown on real estate-linked financial crimes.Read more
The Odisha High Court has nullified several land deals in Baniapat Khuntapada and Keonjhar, citing illegal exclusion of rightful heirs and serious procedural lapses. Justice S. K. Panigrahi ruled the 2011-2014 transactions-conducted by two brothers without their sisters' consent-as a "carefully engineered arrangement" to deny joint inheritors. The Keonjhar collector has been ordered to investigate and take disciplinary action against involved revenue officials. The NHAI must halt compensation payouts and recover any disbursed funds tied to the now-invalid land deals. The court also flagged suspicious transactions involving a BPL cardholder, reinforcing its stance against land fraud and official misconduct.Read more
The Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-RERA) has successfully recovered a total of INR 1,410 crore for homebuyers, acting on 5,700 recovery certificates. A significant portion of this, INR 861 crore, was recovered between August 2023 and July 15, 2025. This achievement is attributed to increased pressure on defaulting builders and monthly reviews with District Magistrates. Beyond direct recoveries, UP-RERA has also facilitated mutual settlements worth INR 500 crore and resolved claims amounting to INR 3,320 crore through conciliation, collectively discharging or settling claims from over 15,000 allottee-complainants and enhancing confidence in the real estate sector.Read more
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis recently conducted multiple high-level meetings in New Delhi with key Union ministers and NITI Aayog officials, pressing for central approvals and financial backing for a series of ambitious infrastructure, health, and rural development projects. The state has proposed funding requests exceeding USD 3.5 billion through global institutions for cement road construction, coastal erosion prevention, and wastewater treatment. Additionally, discussions covered a proposed INR 10,000 crore fertiliser plant in Nagpur and a USD 2.6 billion cement road project with ADB assistance, among other sustainability-linked initiatives.Read more