Latest StoriesRegulatory

Mumbai Court Rejects Slum Classification for Godrej Land

Representational image MUMBAI: In a significant ruling for one of India’s oldest industrial groups, the Bombay City Civil Court has annulled a long-standing government notification that categorized Godrej & Boyce’s manufacturing land in Vikhroli as a slum area. This judgment effectively concludes the legal challenge, safeguarding the private property from state acquisition under the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act. Judge A.K. Kale stated, “It is hereby declared that no valid declaration exists under Section 4(1) of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act concerning the suit land. Defendant numbers 1 and 2 (additional collector and deputy collector ENC) are…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Gujarat Plans Five Satellite Towns to Relieve City Pressure by 2030

Representative AI image AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is planning to establish five satellite towns with metro-like amenities and enhanced economic potential to alleviate pressure on major urban centers by 2030, officials announced on Friday. As per a government statement, the proposed satellite towns include Sanand near Ahmedabad, Savli (Vadodara), Kalol (Gandhinagar), Bardoli (Surat), and Hirasar (Rajkot). “The state government is currently seeking urban planners to create master plans for these towns and is in the process of appointing planners through a tender process. By 2030, we aim to equip these towns with metro-like facilities and enhance their economic capabilities, thereby reducing the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Mohali Targets Chronic Tax Defaulters with Sealing, Auctions

MOHALI: The municipal corporation has initiated a rigorous enforcement campaign targeting persistent property tax defaulters, emphasizing that further non-compliance will not be tolerated. This initiative specifically focuses on major commercial and industrial entities that have neglected to settle their financial obligations despite several notifications. MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh stated that sealing notices were dispatched under Section 138-C of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, to non-compliant properties. “A final grace period of three days was extended for clearing outstanding property tax. Should payment not be made during this window, the premises will be sealed without additional notification,” he warned.…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Town Planning Cancels Zoning Proposal in Arambol

PANAJI: On Thursday, officials from the TCP department retracted their approval to alter the land use to settlement for two parcels in Arambol, Pernem, spanning approximately 300,000 sqm. Local residents had been protesting against these proposals for several months. Chief Town Planner (Planning), Vertika Dagur, issued the notification following TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane’s statement about the withdrawal. The TCP board noted that the decision to rescind was made on December 23. Initially, the department had agreed to rezone two survey numbers under Section 39A of the Goa TCP Act by amending the Regional Plan, 2021. The land parcels are owned…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Six Illegal Colonies Demolished in Ambala Cantonment

AMBALA: In a significant enforcement initiative, the District Town Planner (DTP) team in Ambala conducted demolition activities targeting six illegal colonies across approximately 21.5 acres in Ambala Cantonment’s urban area. This operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on unauthorized land developments. As per official reports, demolitions were executed in village Chandpura, covering around 10.1 acres over two illegally developed colonies. In village Sareri, also under Ambala Cantonment, three illegal colonies covering about 10.2 acres were dismantled. Additionally, one illegal colony in village Ranwala, spanning nearly 1 acre, was also demolished. During the operation, the enforcement team completely removed the…

IndustryLatest Stories

Get Fire NOC in 30 Days or Face Action: Ludhiana Residents Warned

Ludhiana: In the wake of a significant fire incident, the Ludhiana municipal authorities are emphasizing the urgent need for robust fire safety protocols in the industrial sector. Municipal Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal announced on Thursday that residents must secure a fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) within 30 days, or face penalties. Under the Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act of 2012, residents are required to obtain this fire safety NOC from the fire department within the specified timeframe, or risk incurring heavy fines and possible building sealings for non-compliance. Officials stated that all commercial properties—including educational institutions and coaching centers—must…

Latest StoriesResidential

300 Homes for Wayanad Landslide Victims to be Delivered in Feb

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Thursday that the state government plans to complete approximately 300 houses with necessary facilities to be handed over in February. This marks the first phase of rehabilitation for victims of the Wayanad landslide disaster. “Our aim is to finish around 300 houses along with essential amenities and provide them to beneficiaries as the initial phase in February,” the CM stated during a press conference. He mentioned that these houses are part of a larger township under development on Elston Estate land, located near the Kalpetta bypass, specifically for families affected by the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

ED Requests Summary Report from Sambhajinagar Police on PMAY Case

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAINAGAR: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has contacted the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police for the ‘C’ summary final report and all investigation documents related to the 2023 Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing tender case. This case was closed in June 2024 after a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) accepted the ‘C’ summary filed by the city police’s crime branch. An FIR was filed at the City Chowk police station on February 23, 2023, following a complaint from Deputy Municipal Commissioner Aparna Thete. The FIR was registered under various IPC sections relating to cheating and forgery against 19 accused. The…

Latest StoriesResidential

Alkem Labs Founder’s Parents Buy ₹63 Crore Penthouse in Bandra

MUMBAI: A septuagenarian couple, Satish Kumar Singh and Premlata Singh, parents of Alkem Laboratories founder Sandeep Singh, have purchased Khar-Bandra’s most expensive penthouse for Rs 63 crore. This sale marks the highest rate for a non-sea facing apartment in Bandra. Dubbed a ‘villa in the sky’, the residence boasts private terraces and a spacious double-height living room. “It truly gives the vibe of a villa in the sky,” according to a source. This luxurious penthouse is situated in S Raheja’s Evergreen Tower on Perry Road, Bandra West, reflecting the growing appetite for single-unit luxury homes in one of Mumbai’s most…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

HC criticizes MHADA for delaying Pune housing society redevelopment

PUNE: The Bombay High Court (HC) has criticized MHADA officials for “overstepping their authority” by misinterpreting the Chief Minister’s (CM) comment regarding a letter from BJP’s Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasne. The officials construed it as a stay on the redevelopment of the Sunglory housing cooperative and a proposal for the Nutan housing cooperative in Sadashiv Peth. The bench, comprised of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Aarti Sathe, noted on December 23 the “extra-legal interference” by MLA Rasne, aimed at “pressuring MHADA officials” regarding this matter. The Court ruled that MHADA’s no-objection certificate (NOC) for the Sunglory housing cooperative, issued…