29 Mar 2026

The National Highways Builders Federation (NHBF) has urged the Union government to provide a standardised escalation support of 17-18% for ongoing national highway projects, citing significant increases in fuel, materials and logistics costs. In its submission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the industry body stated that these cost escalations were unforeseen at the time of bidding and have disrupted the financial balance of contracts across EPC, BOT and hybrid annuity projects. NHBF has also requested deadline extensions of three to six months, waiver of penalties and protection of cash flows, particularly for annuity-based projects. The demand is positioned as an interim measure to maintain project continuity and prevent disruptions in highway construction activity.Read more

29 Mar 2026

Sundaram Home Finance has expanded its Emerging Business (EB) segment in south Tamil Nadu by opening new branches in Sankaran Koil and Ambasamudram. The company plans to add five more branches in the region over the next 12 months, strengthening its presence in smaller towns. The EB segment includes affordable housing finance and working capital loans. The company is targeting disbursements of around INR 200 crore in south Tamil Nadu in the coming year. This expansion builds on its earlier entry into the segment in 2022, with a focus on deeper penetration in Tier 4 and Tier 5 markets.Read more

28 Mar 2026

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority has formalised a long-term lease agreement with the Andhra Pradesh State Institute of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj for setting up a dedicated training campus in Amaravati. Spread across over five acres in Kuragallu and Nowluru villages, the project aims to strengthen institutional capacity, improve governance training, and support rural development initiatives. With a 60-year lease tenure and defined construction timelines, the campus is expected to enhance administrative skills and align with the state's broader development focus on capacity building and public service efficiency.Read more

28 Mar 2026

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's property tax amnesty scheme has recorded a strong response, with 5,744 defaulters clearing dues worth INR 20.15 crore within nine days of its launch. Introduced earlier this month, the scheme offers a 50 per cent waiver on late payment penalties for those settling outstanding dues in a lump sum. The initiative, valid until the end of March, covers residential, commercial, industrial, and vacant land properties. A significant share of payments has been made through digital channels, indicating growing adoption of online tax services. The civic body has extended operational hours, including on public holidays, to facilitate higher collections and encourage compliance.Read more

28 Mar 2026

RealVantage has allocated USD 7 million in equity towards the acquisition of a 21-megawatt data centre in Minneapolis, structured through Arcapita Group Holdings Limited. The asset is planned to expand capacity to 31 megawatts, aimed at enhancing operational income and asset value. This marks RealVantage's first investment in digital infrastructure, extending beyond traditional real estate sectors. The transaction reflects growing investor focus on data centres driven by artificial intelligence and cloud demand, with Minneapolis emerging as a secondary hub supported by stable power infrastructure and limited natural disaster risk.Read more

27 Mar 2026

The Chandigarh administration has revised collector rates across residential, commercial, and other property categories, with the sharpest increase of up to 33% recorded in plotted residential segments. The revised rates, which will come into effect from the start of the next financial year, are expected to raise the base valuation for property transactions and increase stamp duty liabilities. Housing Board flats will see hikes of up to 25%, while cooperative society flats will rise by around 15%. The revision follows a structured methodology aligned with statutory provisions and includes stakeholder consultation through a draft notification. The move aims to align government-defined rates with prevailing market values while improving transparency in property transactions.Read more

Bangalore News Desk

27 Mar 2026

WeWork India Management Limited has announced plans to invest approximately INR 31 crore to expand its flexible workspace footprint in Bengaluru by leasing an additional 81,166 sq ft. The new facility is expected to accommodate around 1,256 desks and is scheduled to become operational by May 2026. The investment will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt. This expansion comes amid sustained demand for flexible office solutions in Bengaluru, which remains a key commercial real estate market. The company has also undertaken parallel expansion in Pune, adding further capacity through new agreements, reflecting continued growth in enterprise-led workspace demand across major urban centres.Read more

27 Mar 2026

India's office market saw steady growth in the past quarter, with gross leasing across seven major cities rising 15 per cent year-on-year to 18.3 million sq ft, according to Colliers India. Strong demand from occupiers and the continued expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) supported leasing activity despite global uncertainties. Bengaluru remained the top contributor, while Hyderabad and Pune recorded sharp growth. However, Delhi-NCR and Chennai saw a decline in leasing volumes. The data reflects a mixed but overall resilient office market, with demand concentrated in key technology-driven cities.Read more

27 Mar 2026

Telangana is advancing its Indiramma housing programme with over 1.12 lakh homes expected to be completed and handed over by the end of March, and an additional one lakh units projected for completion by June. The first phase had sanctioned 4.5 lakh houses across the state, including 12,000 units for tribal communities under ITDA areas. The government plans a second phase in April and will fund incomplete houses from the previous administration. Local committees chaired by Sarpanchs will identify beneficiaries, ensuring transparent allocation. GHMC and other towns have designated sites for construction, with an estimated INR 22,500 crore expenditure.Read more

27 Mar 2026

Himachal Pradesh is facing financial pressure as its borrowing has reached record levels, with INR 41,173 crore raised in FY 2025-26 while INR 32,004 crore was repaid. The state's total debt is steadily increasing and is expected to cross INR 1.12 lakh crore in FY 2026-27. A shrinking tax base, rising interest payments, and the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants are adding to the strain. With nearly 80 percent of the budget tied up in committed expenses, limited funds remain for development and capital projects.Read more