Latest StoriesResidential

Gujarat Property Registrations Fall to 1,610 in FY26

AHMEDABAD: According to data from GujRERA, Gujarat’s real estate sector saw new project registrations dip to 1,610, the lowest level since the pandemic-affected fiscal year 2021. Experts attribute this decline to a combination of market saturation from recent developments and a more cautious approach by developers, following nearly four years of robust post-pandemic demand. Ahmedabad accounted for 506 of these new registrations. The robust demand observed in urban centers, particularly as homebuyers sought upgraded lifestyles, has slowed. Since FY 2021, annual project registrations have consistently exceeded 1,700, but FY 2026 marked a decline of approximately 211 projects compared to the…

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Gujarat Eliminates 30-Day Wait for Property Sale Certification

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government has announced a significant amendment to the Land Revenue Act of 1879 concerning undisputed land transactions. This change eliminates the mandatory 30-day notice period that previously began upon signing the sale document, which allowed for objections to be raised. The amendment to Section 135D enables immediate certification of sale entries. However, certain conditions apply. If there have been changes to the property record within the past year, the sale is executed through a power of attorney (PoA), not all individuals listed in the 7/12 have consented to the sale, or if there is pending litigation, the…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Ahmedabad’s 2041 Draft Development Plan Expected in June

GANDHINAGAR: The long-awaited draft development plan for Ahmedabad, put together by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda), is projected to be released in June, shortly after the local body elections. According to key sources involved in the process, substantial revisions are anticipated in the new draft development plan (DP), which will also encompass additional areas within the urban development authority’s jurisdiction. “The new DP will shift focus from a standard 10-year plan to a vision extending to 2041 and 2047, aimed at significantly enhancing the city’s infrastructure, particularly as Ahmedabad is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

CAG Flags Dual Benefit Issues in Gujarat Housing Schemes

AHMEDABAD: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has identified instances where individuals received benefits from multiple housing schemes, contravening established guidelines. “According to PMAY-G guidelines, if a household is allocated a home under any government scheme, the gram sabha must remove that household from the system-generated priority list of eligible beneficiaries,” the report indicates. The audit revealed cases where some beneficiaries accessed funding from various housing schemes alongside PMAY-G. “In Jamnagar and Surat districts, 24 beneficiaries under PMAY-G were also sanctioned houses under PMAY-Urban,” the report detailed. “Among these 24 beneficiaries, seven received a total of ₹16.55 lakh under PMAY-U,…

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Uday Kotak Named Chairman of GIFT City, Gujarat

MUMBAI: Uday Kotak, a veteran banker, has been appointed as the chairman of GIFT City in Gujarat, succeeding former bureaucrat Hasmukh Adhia, as per a government announcement. GIFT City, or Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, aims to attract global capital with its favorable tax regulations, competing with established financial hubs like Singapore and Dubai. Earlier this month, the federal government extended the tax holiday for businesses setting up in GIFT City to 20 years. Uday Kotak is the largest stakeholder in Kotak Mahindra Bank, with a diverse financial portfolio that includes alternative investments, asset management, and insurance. Published On Feb 14,…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Surat Diamond and Real Estate Group Undergoes I-T Search

SURAT: The income tax department executed a significant search operation at various premises linked to a city-based diamond manufacturer and real estate developer. This group also manages educational institutions across the state and is currently under investigation for undisclosed earnings from their real estate activities. Searches were conducted at over 15 locations in Surat, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. Mumbai emerged as a critical area of investigation, especially concerning the younger owners and partners who have residences and offices there. Several individuals associated with the group are also being scrutinized, including a liaison worker with notable connections to high-ranking politicians…

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Gujarat Plans Deregulation of NA in Town Planning Schemes

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government is considering a proposal to remove the mandatory requirement for obtaining a non-agriculture (NA) certificate from the revenue department for projects—be it residential, commercial, mixed-use, or industrial—within town planning (TP) scheme areas. In a high-level meeting held on Thursday in Gandhinagar with officials from the government of India and secretaries of all state departments, the Gujarat government indicated to the Union government that it would likely repeal the clause requiring NA permission in areas governed by draft and finalized TP schemes. This certificate, issued by collectorates and district development offices, has been cited as a significant…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

I-T Raids on 30 Ahmedabad Sites Linked to Builders’ Cash Deals

AHMEDABAD: The income tax (I-T) department conducted a search on over 30 locations linked to two builder groups. This action was undertaken after a decoy from the department confirmed that the builders were accepting part of the payment for real estate in cash. The searches included corporate offices, construction sites, suppliers, and homes of key officials and promoters, involving over 100 I-T officials, as per sources. “The builders have multiple schemes around SG Road and beyond, and they have been under surveillance since Diwali. Initial findings indicate transactions worth crores have been uncovered,” sources revealed, noting that the search began…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Gujarat’s Stamp Duty and Registration Fees Up 7% in 9M FY25

GANDHINAGAR | AHMEDABAD: The revenue generated by the Gujarat government from stamp duty and registration fees saw a notable 7% rise during the April-December 2025 period, increasing from ₹12,821 crore in 2024 to ₹13,699 crore in the initial nine months of the current financial year. Official sources indicate that income from these sources, driven by property registrations, is anticipated to exceed the budgetary target of ₹19,800 crore for the financial year 2025-26. “The increase in revenue is attributed to a rise in property transaction values. We expect total revenue for the financial year to surpass the budget estimate,” sources mentioned.…

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…