CommercialLatest Stories

Google Secures 2.6 Million Sq Ft at Alembic City, Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Google is expanding its presence in Bengaluru’s Whitefield by securing approximately 2.6 million square feet at Alembic City, highlighting its long-term commitment to the area. In October 2024, Google IT Services India leased around 650,000 sq ft at this location, and under the agreement, the landlord is obligated to “hold and reserve” three additional blocks—Annex Tower, Office Block Tower G, and Office Block Tower B—exclusively for Google, according to documents from Propstack. The contract states that “the lessor shall not, during the term of this right, negotiate or agree to lease the reserved blocks to any third party” unless…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Unity Small Finance Bank Eyes Housing Finance Next Fiscal Year

Unity Small Finance Bank, which missed the opportunity to acquire Aviom India Housing Finance, is focusing on exploring future prospects instead of rushing into any acquisitions, according to Jaspal Bindra, executive chairman of Centrum Group, in an interview with Atmadip Ray. Bindra also serves as a non-executive non-independent director at Unity Bank, which is predominantly owned by Centrum Group (51%). The bank plans to venture into the housing finance sector in the latter half of the year. Edited excerpts from the discussion follow: 1. Following Centrum’s housing portfolio sale, it was anticipated that Unity would enter the housing finance market.…

IndustryLatest Stories

Centre Invites RWAs, Private Players for Urban Projects

NEW DELHI: Resident welfare associations (RWAs), real estate developers, and private entities are now empowered to initiate civic projects, such as water and sanitation, thanks to the newly launched Urban Challenge Fund by the Centre. Civic and urban development projects are no longer exclusively the responsibility of financially constrained municipalities. Multiple RWAs can collaborate to address civic issues by forming a group, devising a project proposal, and submitting it to local civic agencies. If a developer’s high-end apartment complex faces waterlogging on access roads, they can propose and execute a project outside the colony. This new strategy, facilitated by the…

Latest StoriesResidential

Kerala Landslide Survivors Choose New Homes via Lottery

MEPPADI: During a house allotment event for survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide disaster at MSA Auditorium on Friday, Valsala, a plantation worker from Chooralmala employed with Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, was filled with emotion as she participated in the draw. This allotment allowed the first group of 178 beneficiaries to choose from houses constructed under the township initiative in Kalpetta, with participants selecting slips that contained three-digit codes representing zone, cluster, and plot numbers. “I couldn’t hold back my tears when I drew the lot. Memories of my 35-year-old son overwhelmed me. Not a day goes by without crying for him…

Latest StoriesResidential

Over 2,200 Unsold Homes by Bengaluru Development Body

BENGALURU: Despite being priced lower than similar offerings from private developers, thousands of flats and villas built by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on the city’s outskirts are finding it hard to attract buyers. Currently, 2,294 units remain unsold even years after completion. The BDA has made various efforts to stimulate sales, such as hosting property fairs, providing bulk discounts, and offering a 5% rebate on selected projects, yet the response from potential buyers has been underwhelming. Residents attribute the lack of interest mainly to inadequate infrastructure. Many housing developments are devoid of essential amenities like proper road access, street…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Gurugram to Implement Two-Stage Demolition Waste Checks

Representative AI image GURUGRAM: Delhi-NCR is moving towards a system that mandates traceability of every kilogram of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Starting April 1, individuals involved in construction, renovation, or demolition on sites of 200 sq meters or more in Gurgaon must document the disposal of their waste, as per new guidelines from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). In a significant shift, demolition waste must now be reported twice: once before construction starts and again before a building can be occupied. The longstanding practice of dumping debris along roadsides, vacant lots, or forest edges will no longer…

IndustryLatest Stories

DDA Approves Land Use Change in NW Delhi Pooling Area

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has approved the land use change for a 40.2-hectare land pooling area in Sector-8B of Planning Zone P-II, marking the first sector eligible for development under Delhi’s Land Pooling Policy, enacted in 2018. Sector-8B encompasses land from the villages of Garhi Khusro, Mukhmelpur, and Ibrahimpur in north-west Delhi. The DDA initially approved the proposal on November 5, 2025, and subsequently issued a public notice for objections and suggestions. Following the completion of the statutory process, the proposal has been cleared and will now be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs…

IndustryLatest Stories

375 Hectares in Jhunsi & Hetapatti Designated for Housing

Representative AI image PRAYAGRAJ: The Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has designated around 375 hectares in the Jhunsi and Hetapatti areas for future residential and commercial development. Civic body officials reported that approximately 250 hectares in Jhunsi, encompassing the villages of Mukundpur, Chakia Hinauta, and Chak Hinauta, have been identified under the Chief Minister’s urban expansion initiative. Over 500 farmers will be impacted as land acquisition is planned. In Hetapatti, 125 hectares of land across Neemarmee Khurd, Narayanpur, and neighboring areas have also been earmarked for acquisition. Rishiraj, the vice-chairman of the civic body, conducted site inspections on Thursday and informed…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Bengaluru’s civic bodies meet just 57.96% of property tax goal

BENGALURU: The tax collection landscape in Bengaluru reveals a stark contrast between the South and North regions. With only a few weeks remaining in the financial year, the city’s five corporations have collectively gathered just 57.96% of their property tax target for the fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting a significant gap between expectations and actual revenue. The South corporation has proven to be the strongest performer thus far. It has collected ₹745.33 crore against a goal of ₹1,228.85 crore, achieving 60.65%—the highest rate among all five corporations. They’ve steadily maintained this momentum leading up to the year’s end. Conversely, the North…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

NGT Steps In to Regulate Stone Crushers in Ropar’s Shivalik Hills

CHANDIGARH: In an effort to address violations of environmental regulations by stone crushers in the vulnerable Shivalik Hills, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to enforce compliance and recover compensation from polluting units in Ropar district. The bench, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel, delivered these orders while concluding a case regarding illegal mining activities in the Beet area of Garhshankar sub-division, where mining was conducted unchecked. According to a report from the PPCB, 13 stone crushers were identified as operating in breach of regulations and involved in illegal…