InfrastructureLatest Stories

Probe Opens into Illegal Construction in Raisina Hills

GURUGRAM: An investigation has been launched into illegal construction activities in the Raisina Hills of Sohna Aravalis, following significant land clearing, tree felling, and unauthorized constructions in the area. Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Chandar Bidhan initiated the inquiry amidst rising public concern regarding the illegal activities occurring on land protected by the 1992 Aravali notification. In a statement to TOI, he mentioned that the investigation aims to identify those responsible for the encroachments and evaluate the extent of environmental breaches. Complaints from local residents indicated the use of earthmovers to level extensive areas, heightening worries about permanent damage to the fragile…

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Lucknow body to auction 300+ plots starting July 4

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the content: Representative Image LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) is set to launch its e-auction portal on July 4, aiming to sell over 300 residential and commercial plots in prominent areas of the city. This initiative follows directives from LDA Vice Chairman Prathamesh Kumar. Potential buyers can register online until August 4, with the auction scheduled for August 8 through the online platform. Available plots include residential options of 60 square meters in the Basant Kunj scheme on Hardoi Road, starting at a reserve price of Rs 32,955 per square meter. The auction…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Ghaziabad Societies Without Rainwater Harvesting May Face Fines

GHAZIABAD: The GDA has begun actions against residential societies that lack rainwater harvesting systems. Inspections of over 650 societies revealed that numerous buildings either did not have these systems or had installations that were non-functioning. According to building bylaws, plots or group housing societies larger than 300 sqm must have rainwater harvesting systems; failing to comply could result in fines of up to Rs 3 lakh. “Our enforcement team has been tasked with inspecting each zone, after which notices will be issued to those not in compliance,” stated a GDA official. Many societies reportedly also fail to maintain their systems…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Architects, Officials Colluded for Illegal Construction: ED

NEW DELHI: A significant cartel, comprising architects, chartered accountants, and officials of the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra, has been implicated in extensive illegal construction on land designated for sewage treatment plants. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), these individuals sold this land fraudulently to the public. The federal agency confirmed that on July 1, they conducted searches at 16 sites related to a money laundering investigation concerning 41 illegal buildings in the Vasai Virar area. During these raids, the ED froze bank deposits and mutual funds valued at ₹12.71 crore and seized ₹26 lakh in cash, along…

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12,000+ Construction Workers Registered in Kodagu: Labour Officer

AI-generated Representative Image MADIKERI: District labour officer T Kaveri reported that 12,629 workers are registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Act in Kodagu district, with 9,971 males and 2,658 females. The registration breakdown by taluks includes 3,069 workers (2,424 males, 645 females) in Madikeri, 4,146 workers (3,759 males, 387 females) in Somwarpet, and 5,414 workers (3,788 males, 1,626 females) in Virajpet. Workers can register at the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board by calling the helpline at 155214. The board provides pension benefits for members aged 60 who have been part of the scheme for…

Latest StoriesResidential

PMAY House Construction in Goa Approaches Completion: Official

Representative Image PANAJI: The Goa government has successfully built 250 out of the 254 houses targeted for eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), an official announced on Thursday. The initiative, designed to provide affordable housing, has been executed at an expenditure of ₹3.4 crore, as stated by the official. According to P.K. Shirodkar, nodal officer responsible for the scheme and director of the District Rural Development Agency, the goal was to construct 254 houses for qualified beneficiaries in the state. “As of now, we have completed 250 houses by strictly adhering to all procedures of this scheme.…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Delhi HC: Rent Control Act is Outdated Legislation

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has described the Delhi Rent Control Act as an “outdated law,” criticizing its “severe” misuse that has left property owners in distress as affluent tenants “unfairly occupy properties for decades.” Justice Anup Jairam Bhambani was reviewing petitions challenging the 2013 decisions of the Additional Rent Controller (ARC), which had denied eviction petitions from property owners based in the UK and Dubai in Sadar Bazar, siding with the tenants. “This court must note that while managing the Rent Control Roster, it has uncovered numerous instances of wealthy tenants, enjoying financial stability, unjustly residing in properties…

Latest StoriesResidential

Maharashtra to Hike Rent for Tenants in Cessed Buildings

AI-generated Representative Image MUMBAI: The state government announced on Thursday an increase in monthly rent for tenants residing in dangerously dilapidated cessed buildings in Mumbai from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 while alternative accommodations are provided during reconstruction. Additionally, the government will revoke the no objection certificate (NoC) of developers who have failed to initiate the redevelopment of these cessed buildings under Development Control Regulation 33(7). The assurances were made by the Minister of State for Urban Development, Pankaj Bhoyar, during the state assembly session. “The government will seek clarification from developers and will revoke notices for those who haven’t…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Bombay HC questions BMC on buildings lacking fire NOC

Bombay High Court MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has requested the BMC to clarify its plans regarding buildings in Mumbai lacking a fire no-objection certificate (NOC). The court posed a pointed question: “Will you ignore this issue, or will you take action? We expect a detailed affidavit stating the required steps when a fire NOC is not present. If this is omitted, we will interpret it as tacit approval, suggesting that it is the municipal corporation’s policy to allow occupancy without a fire NOC, thereby endangering lives,” remarked Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor. This discussion arose during a hearing…

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Madhya Pradesh CM Calls for Action on Affordable Housing

File Photo BHOPAL: On Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav convened a review meeting with officials from the Urban Development and Housing Department at Samatva Bhavan in Bhopal, where he issued several key directives. During the meeting, CM Yadav emphasized the need for an action plan focused on developing affordable and accessible housing in urban areas, considering the socio-economic conditions of residents, to mitigate urban slum expansion. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing the urban environment, urging the development of parks and promoting tree plantation initiatives across all housing projects, including those managed by development authorities and the…