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Maharashtra Govt buys Air India Mumbai building for ₹1,601 Cr

File Photo MUMBAI: On Tuesday, the Maharashtra government officially acquired the renowned Air India building, a standout feature of Mumbai’s skyline, for Rs 1,601 crore. The agreement transfer between Air India Assets Holding Company and the state Public Works Department (PWD) was finalized in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following a cabinet meeting at ‘Mantralaya’, the state secretariat. Attendees included Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary (PWD) Milind Mhaiskar, Mumbai City Collector Anchal Goyal, and Air India officials. Built in 1974, the iconic…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Maharashtra: TDR Becomes Key Currency for Infrastructure

NAGPUR: An innovative infrastructure model being tested in the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat is sparking debates about the potential for Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to become a new form of currency for civic development initiatives. Following the launch of what is considered Maharashtra’s first road project developed via a TDR-based framework, the local authority has initiated another such project, reigniting discussions about its sustainability and long-term viability. Unlike traditional civic infrastructure projects funded through government grants or municipal budgets, the TDR-based model enables developers to undertake construction in exchange for benefits related to development rights. This approach significantly lowers direct financial…

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Maharashtra Offers Free Rural Property Cards, Waives Fees

Representative AI image NAGPUR: The state government has announced that villagers throughout the state will be issued property cards free of charge as part of the Centre’s Swamitva scheme. To alleviate the financial burden on rural residents, the government will also waive the sanad fees for property ownership regularization. During a review meeting at the Konkan Divisional Commissioner’s office on Wednesday, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule highlighted the state’s aim to simplify the legal ownership process for rural households. The guardian minister for the Nagpur district stated that the decision will come into effect after necessary modifications to Gram Panchayat Form…

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Ulhasnagar Residents Get Relief as State Begins Home Regularization

MUMBAI: Thousands of families residing in homes constructed in Ulhasnagar before 2011 may soon gain legal ownership rights, as the Maharashtra government has kick-started a significant regularisation process for longstanding residential encroachments. This initiative aims to tackle one of the most persistent housing issues in the city. A special review committee has been established for the 141 Ulhasnagar assembly constituency, with MLA Kumar Ailani appointed as chair. This decision provides much-needed relief to numerous lower- and middle-income families who have lived in uncertainty for decades. Many residents in Ulhasnagar’s old settlements and slums have faced challenges in obtaining legal property…

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Maharashtra Cabinet Likely to Approve Vertical Property Cards in June

Representative AI image PUNE: A revised proposal for “vertical property cards” aimed at flat owners has been reintroduced to the state government and is anticipated for cabinet review in June, as stated by officials from the settlement commissioner’s office. The proposal, which has lingered for almost four years, has recently been sent to the law and judiciary department with several incorporated modifications. A senior official mentioned, “It should go before the cabinet once the department approves it.” If sanctioned, Maharashtra will be among the select states in India to adopt such a system. The initial rollout will target projects registered…

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Maharashtra Advances on ₹1,600 Crore Air India Building Buyout

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government is moving toward acquiring the historic Air India building in South Mumbai. The Finance Department has transferred ₹1,600 crore to the Public Works Department, initiating the process to finalize an agreement with Air India Assets Holding Limited. A senior PWD official mentioned that a draft of the agreement will be reviewed to ensure accuracy and is expected to be signed within the next two weeks. The Centre approved the building’s sale to Maharashtra for ₹1,601 crore in March 2024, and the state cabinet gave the go-ahead for the acquisition in November 2025. Once the agreement is…

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Maharashtra Launches 60 Private Property Registration Centers in July

Representative AI image PUNE: Property buyers and sellers in Maharashtra are set to benefit from quicker registrations and enhanced services as the state registration department gears up to introduce 60 privately operated registration centers starting this July. Inspired by the “passport seva kendra” model, these centers aim to simplify the registration process, albeit at an added cost to citizens. They will work alongside the state’s existing 517 government-operated registration offices. The initiative was first revealed last year by the revenue department and will be carried out in three phases. The initial phase will introduce five centers in high-traffic districts like…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Malkapur Issues TDR Certificates for Public Land Acquisition

KOLHAPUR: The Malkapur Municipal Council in Satara district has made history as the first C-class urban civic body in the state to issue Transfer Development Right (TDR) certificates for land acquisition intended for public infrastructure. On Sunday, certificates were awarded to six landowners for approximately 19,000 square feet of land. In Maharashtra, municipal councils are categorized into A, B, or C classes based on their population, revenue, and level of development. A-class councils usually have populations exceeding one lakh, while B-class councils encompass populations ranging from 40,000 to one lakh. C-class councils, like Malkapur, have populations under 40,000, and those…

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Maharashtra to Speed Up Land Surveys Using Private Firms

Representative Image NAGPUR: The Maharashtra government has announced a comprehensive revamp of land survey procedures, employing trained and licensed private surveyors in every district. This initiative aims to address the growing backlog and expedite development approvals. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule revealed the decision following a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The reform is intended to ensure the “accurate, timely, quality, and transparent” handling of land measurement cases. Consequently, an official government order outlining the operational framework has been issued. Under the revised system, land surveys will adhere to pre-determined schedules, with advance notices issued by the deputy superintendent of…

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Amravati Mandates Cool Roofs to Combat Extreme Heat

Representative AI image AMRAVATI: To combat extreme heat and manage rising energy demand, the Amravati Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made ‘cool roofs’ a requirement for new buildings and introduced tax incentives for upgrading existing ones. AMC officials noted that it is one of the pioneers in Maharashtra to enforce the Cool Roof Bylaws 2025, a part of the state government’s governance initiative. This policy incorporates heat mitigation strategies into urban planning and complements ongoing initiatives like the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan and national sustainable cooling programs, thereby enhancing climate resilience in the city’s building codes. According to Municipal Commissioner Saumya Sharma…