The RBI has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, aiming to support growth amid record-low retail inflation, which fell to 0.25% in October. Borrowing is expected to become cheaper across housing, auto and commercial segments. GDP grew 8.2% in Q2, prompting the RBI to lift its full-year growth forecast to 7.3% despite the rupee weakening past 90 against the USD. Industry experts welcomed the move, citing benefits for affordability, sales momentum and developer funding. They noted that lower EMIs and improved sentiment should boost mid-income and premium housing demand. Overall, the cut reinforces a favourable environment for real estate investment and expansion.Read more

Public sector lenders Bank of Baroda and Bank of India reduced their lending rates shortly after the Reserve Bank of India lowered the repo rate by 25 basis points. Indian Bank also made a minor cut to its MCLR in the week. The RBI's decision marked its first rate reduction in about six months and came with an assurance of providing INR 1 lakh crore in liquidity to stabilise growth amid pressure from steep US tariffs. The latest rate actions are expected to ease borrowing costs for households and businesses and support economic activity.Read more

SEBI has granted in-principle approval for registering Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust as an InvIT, advancing NHAI's plan to monetise national highway assets. Final approval will follow once the trust appoints directors, files financial statements and meets other compliance requirements within six months. Conceived to unlock value from road assets and offer long-term investment options for domestic investors, the InvIT will be managed by Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd., incorporated last month. The investment manager includes major financial institutions such as SBI, PNB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and others. SEBI said the public InvIT structure will ensure transparency, strong oversight and high reporting standards.Read more

Nashik Municipal Corporation collected INR 196 crore in property tax over the past eight months, showing an 8% rise from the INR 181 crore collected during the same period last year. Cidco contributed the highest share, followed by Panchavati, Nashik East, Nashik West, Nashik Road and Satpur. The civic body has covered 71% of its full-year target of INR 275 crore. The rise is linked to early-payment rebates and an amnesty scheme for defaulters. Despite this progress, around INR 400 crore in pending dues still remain.Read more

A well-known Nashik builder was taken into custody earlier this week after being accused of cheating flat buyers in a case valued at around INR 23 crore. Buyers had reportedly paid the full amount and taken possession of their homes, but the builder did not execute the sale deeds. Instead, he allegedly mortgaged the same flats to a private finance company to raise funds. When the loan defaulted, the lender initiated auction proceedings, leaving residents shocked and prompting them to file a police complaint.Read more

Chhattisgarh has approved INR 429.45 crore for 26 urban infrastructure projects across 13 municipal corporations under the first phase of the Mukhyamantri Nagarotthan Yojana. The funding covers a wide set of works, including lake development, marine-drive expansion, new bus terminals, road upgrades, park creation, water-supply improvement and mobility corridors. Raipur, Raigarh and Bilaspur received the highest allocations. Work orders and foundation-stone activities have already begun for several projects. The state has also set up district-level monitoring committees to supervise progress and maintain quality.Read more

Karnataka has increased the expenditure for the Invest Karnataka 2025 summit to INR 100.70 crore to cover additional infrastructure and investor support requirements. The government will release INR 25.70 crore under the 2025-26 Export and Trade Promotion scheme to meet pending and extra costs. The state has also approved RGUHS's plan to set up advanced skill labs in six cities at INR 452.89 crore, funded entirely by the university. Additionally, 19 new Morarji Desai Residential Schools will be built at INR 304 crore, while plans for land acquisition in Bengaluru Rural have been dropped after public protests.Read more

The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail project in Himachal Pradesh has been halted because the state government has not released its committed INR 1,843 crore share. The central government has already spent INR 5,252 crore and completed most land acquisition, but further construction cannot proceed without the state's contribution. The Ministry of Railways recently conveyed that this delay also affects progress on the planned Bilaspur-Manali-Leh strategic rail corridor. Related projects in the region, including parts of the Nangal Dam-Talwara-Mukerian line, are also facing delays due to pending state support.Read more

Park Medi World is entering the public markets with a Rs 920 crore IPO, valuing the hospital chain at INR 7,000 crore. The offering includes fresh shares and an OFS by promoter Ajit Gupta, with proceeds aimed at debt repayment, hospital expansion, medical equipment, and potential acquisitions. The hospital chain, the second largest in North India and the largest in Haryana, has grown its bed capacity to 3,250 and is undertaking major expansion projects across Ambala, Panchkula, and Rohtak. The IPO structure reserves shares for institutional, retail, and non-institutional investors.Read more

Ludhiana Municipal Corporation sealed six buildings this week across Malhar Road, BRS Nagar, Ferozepur Road and Dugri Road, including a hotel, after owners failed to clear outstanding civic dues and were found with unauthorised constructions. Officials said prior notices had been ignored, prompting the action as part of a wider crackdown on illegal structures and unpaid charges such as change-of-land-use fees. The MC warned that any construction without approved building plans will face sealing or demolition and urged residents to regularise deviations. The drive follows earlier notices to unsafe and non-compliant buildings and will continue as the corporation steps up enforcement for safer, planned urban development.Read more