Latest StoriesRegulatory

Thane Offers 90% Penalty Relief for Property Tax Defaulters

THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched a new scheme granting a 90% penalty relief for property tax defaulters to help settle outstanding tax amounts. According to Thane mayor Sharmila Pimplolkar, the decision followed consultations with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, aimed at reducing the financial burden on defaulters. “Under this initiative, residential property owners who clear their pending taxes will only need to pay 10% of the penalty, while the remaining 90% will be waived,” an official stated. Currently, TMC faces Rs 308 crore in tax arrears, with Rs 191 crore expected from…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Thane Civic Body Collects ₹556 Cr Tax, Targets Defaulters

THANE: The Thane civic body in Maharashtra has collected ₹556.19 crore in property tax for the fiscal year 2025-26, falling short of its ₹841 crore target by over ₹200 crore, as reported on Friday. Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has issued orders for strict measures against defaulters due to this shortfall. According to an official statement, the highest property tax collection came from the Majiwada-Manpada ward at ₹175.01 crore, followed by Vartak Nagar with ₹88.77 crore and Naupada-Kopri with ₹74.12 crore. After a review meeting earlier this week, the commissioner has instructed officials to cut water supply to defaulters in residential…

Latest StoriesResidential

Thane Societies Accuse Rajshila Construction of FSI Misuse

MUMBAI: Five cooperative housing societies in Thane have filed a petition with the Bombay High Court, accusing the local builder, Rajshila Construction LLP, of unlawfully utilizing their floor space index (FSI) to construct new high-rise towers on land that is already developed and occupied. The petition, submitted by the Prestige Garden A-1, Prestige Garden A-2, Harmony, Ambience, and Prestige Garden B-1 & B-2 Cooperative Housing Societies, asserts that Rajshila Construction has misappropriated their property rights, while the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) improperly approved the developer’s plans for new projects. Rajshila Construction, founded in 2020 and registered under MahaRERA for a…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Thane Bribery Case: Third Accused Surrenders to ACB

THANE: An individual involved in the Thane Municipal Corporation bribery case surrendered to the Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau on Friday. Following this, a local court has placed him in police custody until October 6, according to an official. The accused has been identified as Sushant Surve. During a raid at the civic headquarters on October 1, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Shankar Patole and a private individual named Omkar Gaikar were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). A real estate developer, Abhijit Kadam, who has development rights for a plot in Vishnu Nagar, Naupada, reported to the Mumbai ACB that Patole allegedly…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Thane Demolishes 198 of 264 Illegal Structures in Action

THANE: Since June, the Thane Municipal Corporation has demolished 198 unauthorized constructions as part of an ongoing crackdown, an official reported on Sunday. Additionally, unauthorized extensions in 66 other properties have been removed. Following orders from the High Court and inspections by beat inspectors and Special Vigilance Teams in Diva and Mumbra, the Anti-Encroachment Team has addressed a total of 264 unauthorized constructions to date, according to a TMC release. Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao reviewed campaign progress on Saturday. “All systems must remain vigilant to prevent unauthorized construction. Cases should be promptly registered under MRTP upon completing the legal procedures.…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Bombay HC Warns of Chaos from Unchecked Illegal Constructions

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court recently warned that without decisive measures to address illegal constructions, rapidly growing towns could face “a colossal failure” in meeting lawful town planning goals, leading to chaos and disaster for future generations. Justices Girish Kulkarni and Manjusha Deshpande emphasized that civic bodies should promote only the lawful and legitimate expansion of cities, instead of allowing “demons of large-scale unauthorized constructions”. The court, in an order dated August 21, stated, “Resources such as water and electricity, along with public amenities like parks and playgrounds, are intended for those living in authorized buildings.” It asserted that illegal…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Thane Launches Squad to Tackle Unauthorized Constructions

THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has established a special squad to oversee and take action against illegal constructions in Diva and Mumbra, officials announced on Sunday. The move follows multiple complaints regarding unauthorized constructions in these areas. TMC Commissioner Saurabh Rao directed the formation of this team to actively combat these violations, as stated in an official release. This decision was made after a high-level review meeting on Saturday, where the commissioner stressed the urgent necessity to tackle these issues, particularly in regions where construction activities are flourishing. In compliance with high court mandates, actions are being implemented across…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Thane imposes strict limits on construction transport in Yeoor Hills

Representative image created by AI THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation has implemented a ban on the transport of construction materials in the environmentally sensitive area of Yeoor Hills, officials reported on Sunday. The decision came during a review meeting led by Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Friday. “Yeoor is an environmentally sensitive area. No construction material may enter Yeoor without a valid construction permit issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Urban Development Department,” an official release stated. Those possessing authorized construction permits must register their details with the forest department’s entrance post. This includes a copy of the permit, the…

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Thane Civic Chief: No Power to Unauthorized Properties

Representative Image THANE: On Wednesday, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao directed power companies to refrain from supplying electricity to any unauthorized structures, emphasizing the need for verification of legal statuses. During a high-level meeting at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters, Rao stressed that providing power to unauthorized buildings contravenes court orders and should be strictly prohibited through diligent verification processes. “The high court has explicitly stated that electricity should not be supplied to unauthorized constructions,” he affirmed, noting that both Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) and Torrent Power are legally obligated to confirm a building’s legality before permitting…