InfrastructureLatest Stories

85 of 730 Illegal Structures Cleared in Faridabad’s Aravalis

GURUGRAM: In Faridabad, of the 730 forest areas protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), about 85 have been cleared of encroachments. “Demolition drives began on June 11, targeting 85 locations identified during the survey,” stated a senior forest official. The PLPA prohibits construction, encroachment, and tree felling in these forest areas. “We are now focusing on larger structures like farmhouses. We’ve encountered resistance at certain sites, leading to two FIRs against individuals for damaging machinery and causing injuries,” he added. The Supreme Court, in its July 2022 ruling, mandated that all Aravali land protected under…

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Delhi HC: Rent Control Act is Outdated Legislation

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has described the Delhi Rent Control Act as an “outdated law,” criticizing its “severe” misuse that has left property owners in distress as affluent tenants “unfairly occupy properties for decades.”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…

IndustryLatest Stories

NCR Sees 7.2M Sq Ft Office Leasing in H1 2025

NEW DELHI: The National Capital Region (NCR) has outshined other Indian cities in both commercial and residential real estate during the first half of 2025, achieving a record 7.2 million sq ft of office space leased and a significant increase in ultra-luxury home sales, as reported by Knight Frank India. Office Market: Record Leasing Momentum in NCR NCR’s office leasing rose by 27% year-on-year, reaching an unprecedented high and signaling the region’s growing status as a commercial hub. Gurugram, recognized as NCR’s corporate focal point, represented a remarkable 65% of total office leasing, a notable increase of 900 basis points…

Latest StoriesResidential

Half of Homes Sold in H1 2025 Exceeded ₹1 Crore

NEW DELHI: The premium housing sector has taken the lead in India’s residential real estate market during the first half of 2025, with nearly 50% of homes sold exceeding ₹1 crore. A report by Knight Frank India indicates that 49% of the 1.7 lakh housing units sold across the top eight cities from January to June 2025 were in this premium category, despite a slight year-on-year dip of 2% in overall housing sales. This trend highlights a shift in buyer preferences due to limited supply of affordable housing and an increase in demand from mid-to-high-income buyers. The National Capital Region…

Latest StoriesResidential

DDA to Auction Residential Plots in South Delhi

Representative Image NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has formulated a plan to auction residential plots in prime areas. Shifting focus from flatted development, the DDA has initiated steps to engage a specialized firm for demarcating 118 plots in D6 Vasant Kunj, located in south Delhi. The DDA has issued a tender notice to select an experienced agency to carry out the demarcation, as well as to develop necessary infrastructure like roads, stormwater drains, and pipelines for water supply and sewerage. An official stated, “The goal is to prepare the site for e-auction.” Additionally, the authority has identified areas…

Latest StoriesResidential

Delhi: 800+ Flats Sold in One Month Under Apna Ghar

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has successfully sold 830 flats within a month of launching the Apna Ghar Awaas Yojana 2025, with 630, or 75%, of the units located in Narela. Officials reported that 150 flats were sold in Loknayakpuram and 50 in Siraspur. “The scheme’s impressive progress is particularly noticeable in Narela, where all 115 EWS flats in Sector A1 A4 were sold out. Moreover, the MIG flats in Loknayakpuram are nearly fully booked,” an official stated. This initiative presents ready-to-move-in homes at discounted prices across several categories, including those for economically weaker sections (EWS), low-income groups…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

ED Raids Raheja Developers Over Homebuyer Fraud Case

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate reported the seizure of “incriminating” documents and asset details during searches of real estate firm Raheja Developers Ltd. and its directors, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged fraud against homebuyers. The raids occurred on June 27 in Delhi-NCR and Mohali, Punjab. The ED’s money laundering case arises from several FIRs filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police against Raheja Developers Ltd, its Managing Director Naveen Raheja, and others. The agency stated that the FIRs claim “substantial” sums were fraudulently collected from investors and homebuyers with…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

SC Approves M3M Group’s Request to Substitute Attached Property

Supreme Court NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has granted M3M Group’s request to substitute a property initially attached by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. A bench consisting of Justices P S Narasimha and R Mahadevan ruled that the property substitution is contingent upon nine conditions recommended by the ED. The bench stated, “We have heard Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior counsel for the petitioner, and have considered the matter thoroughly. The petitioners, M/s. M3M India Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. M3M India Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., have submitted an affidavit agreeing to the stipulations. While we…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

NGT Notifies Delhi Jal Board for Illegal Borewells

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) following allegations that private builders have illegally installed borewells and are extracting groundwater without authorization. Arun Kumar Tomar, the petitioning individual, asserted that he had brought this issue to the attention of the DJB chairman on January 20, but no subsequent actions were taken. Tomar accused 19 private builders of digging illegal borewells throughout Delhi. The NGT bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, acknowledged that the claims necessitate verification through a site inspection by the DJB. The bench also emphasized that the appropriate…