24 Feb 2026

A comprehensive survey of government-leased land across Pune district has identified 355 instances of lease violations, with the highest number recorded in Pune city and Haveli taluka. A district administration review of 2,161 leased parcels found breaches that include non-renewal of leases, unauthorised land uses, over-occupation beyond leased boundaries, illegal construction activity, sub-letting for rental income and failure to use land for specified purposes within stipulated timelines. Notices have been issued to the concerned lessees, with authorities reviewing responses ahead of possible enforcement or regularisation measures. Depending on the nature of each violation, actions may include regularisation subject to penalties, resumption of land by the government or other legal steps. The exercise follows irregularities uncovered in high-profile cases involving alleged manipulation of lease records and unauthorised sale of leased government land, prompting heightened scrutiny of lease compliance across all talukas in the district.Read more

24 Feb 2026

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed a bill reducing the vacant land tax to 50 per cent of the fixed tax value for plots that are actively under construction, aiming to incentivise timely development and curb land banking. The amendment, which received assent from the assembly earlier this week, applies to vacant plots where construction has commenced within the statutory period and infrastructure facilities are being developed. Members acknowledged that high vacant land levies had been discouraging early starts or continued construction, particularly in residential and commercial property sectors. The reduced levy is expected to support developers and individual plot owners by easing holding costs and encouraging efficient project delivery. The state government said detailed rules for implementation will be notified soon.Read more

24 Feb 2026

The administration in Davanagere district has distributed land title deeds to approximately 12,000 people as part of a recent revenue record conversion exercise, officials said earlier this week. During a ceremony held in Haveri, the Deputy Commissioner announced that 298 residential areas within the district had been formally declared as revenue villages, enabling issuance of the deeds. Davanagere is now ranked second in the state for the number of title deeds issued, reflecting accelerated efforts to update land records and secure legal ownership for residents. Authorities also noted that some beneficiaries were yet to receive their documents, with a distribution deadline set for mid-March, and urged those individuals to contact the local tahsildar's office. The drive forms part of broader land administration reforms aimed at streamlining records, reducing disputes and ensuring clarity of ownership rights for citizens.Read more

24 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra government has finalised compensation rates for agricultural land being acquired in Palghar district for the Vadhvan Port project. The total payout works out to more than INR 2 crore per hectare after applying double market value, 100% solatium and 12% interest from the notification issued in August last year. The acquisition covers 24 villages in Palghar and Dahanu talukas. Separate compensation will also be provided for houses, wells, trees and other assets. The port project involves an investment of INR 76,220 crore.Read more

24 Feb 2026

The government is evaluating plans to monetise the extensive land holdings of HMT Ltd by repurposing them for artificial intelligence (AI) clusters, reflecting a strategy to unlock value from under-utilised public assets and support emerging technology ecosystems. HMT, which holds one of the country's largest PSU land banks with around 1,100 acres remaining across locations including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pinjore (Haryana) and Kalamassery (Kerala), may see its sites leveraged to attract technology investments. Officials said investment proposals totalling around INR 10,000 crore are being drafted, potentially under public-private partnership models for AI and related innovation clusters. The move aligns with broader efforts to revitalise HMT's operations, address legacy liabilities and accelerate land-driven economic activity while advancing India's AI infrastructure ambitions.Read more

23 Feb 2026

Bicholim in North Goa is emerging as a fast-growing real estate micro-market, according to a Liases Foras report. Land prices have risen 2.12 times in five years, with a 16% CAGR, and are projected to grow further as infrastructure improves. Key drivers include the operational MOPA airport, NH-66 upgrades and new bypass projects enhancing connectivity. Goa's strong tourism growth, with over 1.08 crore visitors in 2025, is supporting demand for holiday homes and premium rentals. Luxury villas are reporting rental yields of 10-12% with high occupancy levels. Limited developable land and rising demand are positioning Bicholim as an emerging property investment destination.Read more

Noida News Desk

21 Feb 2026

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has realised approximately INR 389 crore through the e-auction of 14 plots in close proximity to Noida International Airport in Jewar, officials said on Monday. The plots, spanning prime locations in the airport hinterland, attracted competitive bidding and were sold to developers and investors seeking to capitalise on rising demand for commercial and industrial land near the upcoming aviation hub. Auctioned land parcels ranged in size and strategic connectivity, offering potential for mixed-use, logistics, retail and other real estate developments. YEIDA said that the proceeds from the auction will support infrastructure and development activities within its jurisdiction. The success of the sale reflects sustained interest in land near Noida International Airport, which is expected to drive economic growth and urbanisation in the surrounding region.Read more

20 Feb 2026

The Goa state government has completed roughly 25 % of its ongoing land records update and digitisation initiative, an effort designed to modernise and improve the accuracy of land ownership documentation across the state, officials said this week. The programme involves updating physical land records, issuing urban property cards and integrating ownership data into digital systems, which authorities say will reduce disputes, increase transparency and streamline access to information for both government and the public. The initiative part of a broader land records modernisation drive supported by advanced survey techniques has faced public concerns about possible land mergers and the risk of property confiscation, prompting authorities to address issues and emphasise protections. While significant progress has been reported, a majority of the work remains to be completed.Read more

20 Feb 2026

A landslide at a mine waste tailings zone in Indonesia's Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Sulawesi has killed one worker and led to a temporary halt in operations in the affected area. The incident occurred at a facility operated by PT QMB and is believed to have been caused by soft soil conditions, sweeping away heavy equipment. Authorities have launched an investigation. IMIP is Indonesia's largest nickel-processing hub and a key supplier to the global electric vehicle battery supply chain. The accident follows a similar landslide in March 2025, raising fresh concerns around safety and environmental management at mining and processing sites.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

20 Feb 2026

The Bangalore Development Authority has replaced its uniform 10 per cent penalty on vacant sites with a graded penalty structure ranging from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent of the guidance value, following concerns from allottees. The change applies to plot owners who did not commence construction within the stipulated five-year period under their lease-cum-sale agreements. Penalty rates will be determined by site size and, where applicable, based on the guidance value prevailing at the time of construction or the lower of alternative calculations involving Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate (MCLR) plus 2 per cent interest. Plot owners may opt to surrender sites instead of paying penalties, with 12.5 per cent of the amount already paid withheld before any refund. The revised structure aims to better reflect proportionality and ease financial burden on smaller plot holders, though certain layouts are excluded from the new regime. Allottees who have already paid the earlier flat penalty are not eligible for refunds.Read more

Delhi News Desk

19 Feb 2026

Delhi has introduced the Bhu Aadhaar system, giving each land parcel a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN). The system links textual records with geo-referenced maps, offering precise information on ownership, size, and location. A pilot in West Delhi has already assigned ULPINs to 274 parcels. Part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, the initiative aims to reduce disputes, prevent fraudulent registrations, and simplify property transactions, taxation, and planning by providing a permanent digital identifier for every land parcel.Read more

Delhi News Desk

18 Feb 2026

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will re-acquire 123 disputed land parcels in South Delhi after the Supreme Court upheld its right to reclaim encroached land, officials said. The parcels, spread across key localities, had been subject to legal disputes and unauthorised occupation over several years. Following the apex court's ruling in DDA's favour, the civic agency will initiate formal re-acquisition proceedings, which include issuing notices to occupants and completing statutory conveyance processes under the Land Acquisition Act and relevant development regulations. The decision is expected to strengthen DDA's ability to enforce land use plans, curtail encroachments and recover critical urban land for planned infrastructure and public use. Authorities indicated that the action underscores renewed focus on upholding land administration norms and development controls in the capital.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

18 Feb 2026

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has established a two-member committee of retired district judges to investigate a controversial demolition drive carried out in the Thanisandra area of north Bengaluru on 8 January, which has sparked allegations of improper procedure and possible land grab. The authority said the panel will review whether legal processes were followed in the removal of structures on land it claims as BDA property in Arkavathi Layout, a move that followed earlier encroachment clearance operations in the city. Residents and affected families have contested the demolitions, asserting that dozens of homes were razed without adequate notice and that many occupants had documents such as e-khata certificates and tax receipts. The inquiry is expected to begin after late February and assess documents including proof of occupation and notices served before the demolition.Read more

18 Feb 2026

The Government of Odisha is set to roll out a QR-code based system on land ownership documents to strengthen land administration, speed up verification and curb property fraud, officials said in a release. Under the initiative, each land patta or Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code linked to centralized digital land records. By scanning the code with a smartphone, users will be able to instantly access detailed information such as ownership history, parcel location and transaction records, extending beyond the traditional encumbrance certificate window and reducing reliance on paper-based verification. The system developed under the state's land record modernisation programme is expected to enhance transparency, reduce disputes and make property transactions more efficient and secure.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Rajiv Gauba of Niti Aayog highlighted that high land costs are a major barrier to affordable housing in India, as land accounts for 50-70% of project costs. He urged policy reforms, including dedicating at least 10% of residential land for affordable housing, raising permissible FARs to 5&6, promoting transit-oriented development, and adopting land pooling. Limited access to formal credit and low investment margins in economically weaker segments further hinder development. Measures like rental housing improvements, credit support, and stamp duty reductions were also recommended to enhance housing availability and market efficiency.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Shriram Properties Limited (SPL) has acquired a nearly 4-acre land parcel on Sarjapur Main Road in South-East Bengaluru and plans to develop a premium high-rise residential project with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of around INR 550-600 crore. The proposed project will offer about 5 lakh sq. ft. of saleable area and is expected to be launched in the latter part of 2026. Strategically located near key hubs such as Whitefield, Varthur and Outer Ring Road, and close to the upcoming Dommasandra Metro Station, the development aims to tap sustained demand in the Sarjapur micro-market. The acquisition strengthens the company's pipeline in one of Bengaluru's fastest-growing residential corridors.Read more

15 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a detailed land acquisition and allotment policy to support the development of the proposed Third Mumbai region along the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link corridor. The policy enables land procurement through mutual agreement or statutory compensation, offers a 22.5% developed land return to project-affected owners, and introduces a pass-through mechanism to activate undeveloped land parcels. Priority land allotment will be given to large Foreign Direct Investment proposals meeting defined investment and land thresholds, with implementation led by MMRDA and the New Town Development Authority.Read more

15 Feb 2026

The Chandigarh administration has identified nearly 1,000 vacant government-owned properties for phased e-auction from the start of the next financial year as part of efforts to bolster revenue and ensure optimal land utilisation across the Union Territory. The properties span residential, commercial, industrial and institutional categories, including sites in key sectors and industrial zones. Officials said the administration expects to generate more than INR 1,000 crore in revenue through these auctions during the first two quarters, with monthly e-auction sessions to maintain transparency and efficiency. Unsold assets will be re-auctioned as required. Authorities also cited the initiative as a way to reduce maintenance costs, prevent illegal encroachments and support activity in the local real estate market, building on previous revenue earned from similar property sales.Read more

15 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra government has reviewed the reduction of land reserved for the Worli sewage treatment plant following a High Court order that halted construction on the site. Senior officials from the Urban Development department, BMC and SRA examined how the reserved area was reduced without statutory modification of the Development Plan. The court sought explanations on approvals granted for transit buildings on the land. The state reiterated the importance of the STP as critical civic infrastructure and reviewed whether the reduced land area is adequate for long-term sewage treatment requirements.Read more

Noida News Desk

14 Feb 2026

The Noida Authority has decided to implement a land pooling policy to secure agricultural land from farmers for urban development, after efforts to buy land at existing rates stalled due to resistance from landowners. The policy, already approved for industrial bodies under state regulations, will allow farmers to contribute land to pooled development and receive a share of the developed plots with 80 % for industrial use, 12 % for residential and 8 % for commercial instead of receiving outright cash compensation. Officials estimate around 500 acres along the Noida Expressway could be brought under the scheme. The authority has also raised the direct purchase rate from INR 5,500 to INR 9,000 per square metre to encourage voluntary sales of smaller plots. Farmers leaders welcomed the policy's use, noting that retaining a share of developed land may offer better long-term value than direct sale.Read more