CIDCO's 'Maha Nivas' housing scheme offers luxurious apartments to Maharashtra's legislators, judges, and bureaucrats at a fraction of the market rate, with price at about Rs. 19,500 per sqft, significantly lower than the area's market price of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 per sqft. The scheme is part of a government initiative for specific VIPs and CIDCO is entrusted to construct and allocate the apartments on a lottery basis. It is designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor and encompasses 350 apartments on Palm Beach Road with carpet areas of 1270 sq ft and 1800 sq ft. CIDCO is welcoming applications till November 12 and has received 270 applications so far. While some praise the initiative, concerns have been raised within the real estate community about the pricing disparities and eligibility criteria.Read more

Macrotech, a developer in Mumbai, has secured a Bombay High Court directive for a 50% premium rebate on the development of the Bradbury Mills plot in Byculla. The court determined that if a party or developer couldn't pay the premium due to reasons beyond their control, such as issues with the planning authority (BMC in this case), they should not be disqualified from the rebate scheme. The scheme, established to revitalize economic growth post-COVID-19, required applications to be submitted by December 31, 2021. The court upheld the developer's right to the rebate, emphasizing that they were not at fault for the delay due to BMC's misclassification of their application.Read more

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has acquired a luxurious apartment in the posh Pali Hill area in Bandra for a whopping Rs 17 crore. Located on the 11th floor of the exclusive Rustomjee Parishram residential tower, this 1,474 sq ft apartment includes two reserved parking spaces and an additional 90 sq ft of exclusive space. The property was purchased from Keystone Realtors Limited, a listed entity of the Rustomjee Group. The actress paid a stamp duty of Rs 85.07 lakh for the property. This purchase follows a trend of high-profile acquisitions by Bollywood actresses in Mumbai's thriving real estate market.Read more

Signature Global (India) has acquired 25.75 acres of land in Gurugram for a significant group housing project, withholding deal details. The acquisition involves prime land in Gurugram, offering a vast development potential of 3.25 million sq. ft. The company is also in advanced negotiations for joint development agreements for 16.12 acres and collaboration agreements for 4.26 acres in the same vicinity. Financially, it experienced a 37.57% increase in pre-sales in H1 FY24 and reported a 64.92% growth in collections. Signature Global recently launched a successful initial public offering to raise Rs 730 crore, further solidifying its presence in real estate.Read more

Maharashtra has introduced transliteration software to simplify access to land records for citizens from outside the state. This tool enables users to read and understand land records in 22 regional languages. In response to difficulties caused by linguistic barriers, this initiative aims to facilitate property transactions and legal matters across state borders. The Record of Rights (RoR), typically maintained in local languages, contains essential information about land holdings. The software allows users to transliterate RoR details into their preferred regional language, making land records more accessible and comprehensible. Further enhancements, including translation tools, are in the pipeline.Read more

Surinder Chawla, the MD and CEO of Paytm Payments Bank, invested Rs 20 crore in two duplex apartments within the Indiabulls 'Sky Forest' tower in Mumbai's Lower Parel. These apartments span 2516 square feet across the 42nd and 43rd floors and come with four parking spaces. The apartments are valued at over Rs 57,300 per sq. ft, including rights to 972 sq. ft of exclusive area. The transactions were completed in August, incurring a stamp duty of Rs 60 lakh each. Chawla's investment is part of a growing trend among bankers and tech leaders diversifying their wealth through substantial real estate acquisitions in Mumbai, a city with a thriving real estate market.Read more

Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, is grappling with a concerning issue – 470 illegal structures, comprising restaurants, cafes, and emporiums, have mushroomed within a restricted 500-meter radius of the monument. These encroachments, some standing for decades, threaten the Taj Mahal's historical integrity and allure, drawing millions of tourists each year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken steps by filing FIRs, but local authorities have been slow to act. Allegations of collusion between these illegal businesses and authorities raise questions about the commitment to preserving India's cultural heritage. Hopefully, recent promises of swift action will translate into concrete measures to safeguard these architectural marvels for future generations.Read more

Bollywood star Aamir Khan's property in Mumbai's upscale Bandra locality is set for redevelopment. Atmosphere Realty, a collaboration of Wadhwa Group, MICL, and Chandak, won the bid for this project, which attracted interest from Kalpataru, K. Raheja, and Oberoi Realty. Aamir Khan actively drove the decision making process as he owns 9 of the 24 apartments in the two buildings of the society. The new apartments will offer 55-60% more space to its owners. Pali Hill is among Bandra's top three locations experiencing a redevelopment boom, with renowned developers like Rustomjee, K. Raheja, Prestige, and Ashar Group joining in on projects in the area.Read more

Chandan Cinema, an iconic Mumbai landmark, has a storied history deeply intertwined with the city's cultural tapestry. Established in the mid-1970s, it became a beloved destination for diverse cinematic experiences. In 2017, the cinema ceased operations due to structural concerns, leading to a redevelopment plan. The owner faced hurdles, including defence clearance issues, and eventually took the matter to the Supreme Court. The court ruled that redevelopment of existing structures is permitted, provided they don't exceed 15.24 meters in height. The redevelopment is set to include a commercial tower, boutique offices, a premium shopping mall, and an executive-class multiplex theatre.Read more

An individual named Rajan Gulhane is facing a case filed by the Tilak Nagar police for allegedly attempting to seize a one-acre salt pan land in Vikhroli, Mumbai, by placing a signboard claiming ownership. The land's ownership is disputed between the State Government and the Central Government (Salt Department) and is awaiting resolution in the Bombay High Court. Gulhane replaced a sign indicating the ongoing dispute with his own sign, asserting ownership. However, the Salt Department alleges that he submitted fraudulent documents and confirmed their forgery with the Talati office. Salt pans play a crucial role in Mumbai's defense against flooding and provide habitat for diverse wildlife. They are subject to strict Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations.Read more