The Gujarat government has rolled out a revamped township policy to boost private participation in large-scale, self-sufficient townships. Addressing shortcomings of its 2009 policy, the new plan offers higher FSI, stamp duty waivers, and lower municipal fees to attract developers. To ease land challenges, the government may provide its own land in difficult-to-aggregate areas. A state-wide redevelopment and Transferable Development Rights (TDR) framework is also in the works, allowing developers to use TDRs across cities. Managed by digital city-level committees, the new system aims for transparent, fair valuations. The inter-city TDR model follows successful examples from Mumbai and Pune.Read more

The Himachal Pradesh government has achieved a significant legal victory at the Supreme Court, securing an increased royalty of 18 percent from the 1045 MW Karcham-Wangtu hydroelectric project, up from the previous 12 percent. This ruling, overturning a past High Court decision, is expected to generate an additional annual income of approximately INR 150 crore for the state. Beyond this specific project, the verdict sets a crucial precedent for other hydropower ventures that have completed their initial operational period, potentially adding over INR 250 crore annually to the state's treasury, affirming Himachal Pradesh's rights over its natural resources.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government has granted a 14-year 'zero period' waiver to Sunworld City's stalled township project in Noida, Sector 22D. This relief covers penal interest and dues for approximately 20 unacquired acres that YEIDA failed to provide in 2011. The decision aims to reduce Sunworld City's financial burden and revive the project, which faced issues with fragmented land parcels and legal cases. YEIDA is now required to recalculate dues and issue a fresh demand notice, reflecting government efforts to address administrative lapses in stalled real estate projects.Read more

PCMC has wrapped up public consultations on its revised development plan (DP) for the city's old limits, receiving a record 49,000 objections and suggestions. This marks the first major update since 1995, outlining new zoning rules, land use, and transit routes. The proposed High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) sparked major protests, with residents in areas like Rahatni and Tathawade opposing routes cutting through homes and community spaces. Other flashpoints included a now-withdrawn municipal abattoir near Alandi and TP schemes in Chikhali and Kudalwadi. A technical committee will now review all objections before public hearings are held and the plan is finalised.Read more

With high-rise living on the rise in NCR, Noida's fire department is upgrading its systems for better emergency response. A major boost comes from the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), recently tested at the 74-storey Supertech Supernova. Unlike conventional tenders, CAFS can reach up to 100 storeys and uses foam to fight fires more efficiently. At a recent expo, new gear like heat-resistant suits and air-purifying helmets was showcased. UP's MSME Minister announced district-level disaster units and a new digital portal for compliance checks. Backed by INR 30 crore each, Noida and Greater Noida are investing in audits, awareness drives, and robotic fire vehicles.Read more

Telangana has received INR 1,500 crore in Central funding under the PMAY-Urban 2.0 initiative, facilitating the construction of 1.13 lakh houses across the state. The sanctioned homes fall under the revived Indiramma urban housing scheme, which aims to deliver 20 lakh homes in five years. The approval makes Telangana the top beneficiary of PMAY-Urban 2.0, overtaking other major states. Beneficiaries will receive INR 5 lakh per unit, combining Central and state support. An additional proposal for rural housing is being finalised for future submission.Read more

MahaRERA has blocked public access to details of projects placed under abeyance. This includes crucial information like project approvals, timelines, and legal orders. Visitors now only see a message saying the project is suspended and its account frozen. MahaRERA says the move targets developers who fail to upload mandatory progress updates. Data can still be accessed through written requests. Over 2,100 projects across Maharashtra have been suspended recently, with accounts frozen and a verification drive launched to check the authenticity of occupancy certificates.Read more

Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has issued an interim order against Chandigarh-based Motiaz Builders for illegally advertising and selling flats at its "The Royale" project in Sector 39 (Extension), Mohali. The builder violated Section 3 of the RERA Act by launching and promoting the project without obtaining mandatory registration or opening an escrow account. Despite being served multiple notices, the developer failed to respond. RERA has now prohibited all marketing, booking, and sales activities related to the project. A final response has been sought by next month, with a detailed hearing scheduled in the coming weeks.Read more

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced stringent measures against consultancy firms delivering substandard Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for national highway and tunnel projects. Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari recently stated that consultants failing to adhere to technical and procedural standards would now be penalised. A rating system has been introduced to assess DPR quality, with provisions to incentivise high-performing firms. He also underscored the misalignment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending and pushed for a targeted, audited approach to ensure funds are utilised for the benefit of economically and socially marginalised populations across sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare.Read more

The Punjab government has initiated a major overhaul of the Banur Master Plan by proposing the conversion of vast stretches of agricultural land across nearly 18 villages into residential zones. This decision follows continuous demands from gram panchayats and locals seeking better land utilisation in light of growing housing demand. The updated plan includes four new residential sectors to be developed in phases. Authorities have called for public objections or suggestions before formal implementation.Read more