The Andhra Pradesh government has widened its relaxed building norms to benefit low-rise and small-scale construction projects. Developers can now mortgage 10% of their plot area or use affidavits for government land. Balconies up to 1.5 metres, mandatory CCTV, and clear road width and sewage plant placement norms have been established. TDR bonds will compensate for road widening, while licence validity extends to three years. Small buildings under 50 sqm can be approved for just INR-1. These reforms follow earlier streamlining efforts like single-window clearances and are targeted at reducing red tape and supporting affordable development.Read more

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has hinted at upcoming land law reforms aimed at easing property development restrictions on smaller land parcels, particularly in urban areas like Nagpur. A new law, expected in the monsoon session, will allow development on one-guntha plots (1,000 sq. ft.) in residential zones, effectively amending current rules that limit land fragmentation. The move is expected to simplify property transactions and boost housing availability. The minister also confirmed that residents of Kumbhari village, affected by land acquisition near Nagpur, will receive full rehabilitation benefits. The proposed reforms aim to balance urban planning with increased flexibility in land use.Read more

The Union government has overhauled its highway bidding process to improve execution and prevent delays. Under new guidelines from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all land, environmental, forest, and wildlife clearances must be secured before inviting project bids-replacing the earlier norm of 90% land acquisition. Land acquisition must begin 60 days after finalizing highway alignment, and 90% of the right-of-way must be awarded before a Letter of Award is issued. These reforms aim to streamline approvals, minimize contractual disputes, and curb cost overruns. The Centre plans to award 9,000 km of highways in FY26 under this new, more efficient framework.Read more

YEIDA has commissioned a detailed audit of 12 long-stalled housing projects by Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL) along the Yamuna Expressway, aiming to assess work progress, unit counts, and pending construction. The review, led by consultant firm Currie & Brown, is expected by mid-July. The stalled projects stem from a 2008 land allotment for a sports city, later cancelled in 2020 due to unpaid dues. The Allahabad High Court upheld YEIDA's move, instructing it to safeguard homebuyers' interests.Read more

The Supreme Court has ruled that builders must refund the purchase amount with agreed interest in case of delayed possession but are not liable to reimburse buyers' home-loan interest. The case involved a Mohali project where buyers withdrew due to a 2-3 year delay and sought both the refund with 8% contractual interest and their SBI loan interest. The Court allowed only the contractual interest, stating that developers are not responsible for buyers' private financing. The decision overturns earlier consumer forum rulings and affirms that builders' obligations stem from contracts and statutory terms-not from individual loan burdens taken by buyers.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the Urban Green Policy, a statewide plan to embed sustainability into urban life through a tiered approach at city, neighbourhood, and building levels. Key features include Miyawaki forests, sponge parks, green belts, rooftop gardens, and green construction mandates. A 'Green City Monitoring System' will rank cities on eco-performance, aiming to award the top performer the 'Ultimate Green City' title. The policy rollout will begin in major metros and extend to all 762 urban bodies post-2030. Funded by central, state, and CSR sources, the initiative also promotes community participation through tree-planting drives, workshops, and real-time progress monitoring.Read more

The BMC has launched a detailed land survey on a six-acre plot in Lower Parel after the Supreme Court denied ownership claims by Century Textiles and Industries Ltd. The survey, expected to take over a month, will document structures, encroachments, and tree cover. The land, leased in 1927 for worker housing, currently houses around 450 tenants. Aditya Birla Real Estate, linked to Century Textiles, has formally handed over possession. BMC has asked for the company's name to be removed from official records and is now exploring legal options on whether the land use can change and how existing residents should be re-accommodated.Read more

India's commercial real estate sector is seeing a strategic pivot, with outdoor advertising evolving into a major revenue source. As malls become leisure destinations and office complexes adopt mixed-use models, developers are increasingly monetising outdoor spaces through high-impact digital displays, facades, rooftops, and transition points. Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising, valued at USD 284 million in 2024, is projected to more than double by 2030. With revenue shares from advertising reaching up to 12% in some commercial properties, both developers and tech firms are exploring innovative formats to maximise brand engagement in high-traffic zones.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stepped up action against real estate fraud across India, freezing assets in cities like Delhi. A key case involves the 'Shine City' scam, a ponzi scheme that promised high returns on real estate and other ventures, allegedly swindling investors out of over INR 1000 crore. The ED has frozen INR 277 crore in assets so far. In another case, a Delhi commercial property worth INR 44 crore linked to Bhasin Infotech was attached. Over 100 investors reportedly paid for plots but never received them. These actions reflect the ED's push to tackle fraud and safeguard investor money in the real estate space.Read more

In a significant step towards formalising housing access for the economically weaker sections, Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department has introduced a structured plan to allot affordable homes on priority to urban poor currently staying in transit shelters across Bhubaneswar. The move, detailed under a newly released SOP, outlines eligibility criteria, verification norms, financial contributions, and prioritisation mechanisms, particularly favouring slum dwellers with no pucca homes and individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the broader push under PMAY-Urban 2.0 and dovetails with 43 recently approved housing projects across 42 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), aiming to boost urban inclusivity and housing equity.Read more