AHMEDABAD: In what may come as a setback for AMC, the union ministry of urban development has sent a report highlighting shortcomings in the JNNURM projects implemented in Ahmedabad city. Union minister Kamal Nath, in his letter of April 25, 2012, has informed the state government to take "immediate actions" based on the inquiry report.

A team of urban ministry officials was in the city recently to inquire into the allegations fielded by the opposition Congress in the AMC. The union ministry has also asked CAG to inquire into the implementation of JNNURM projects across Gujarat cities.

The Supreme Court has refused to vacate the stay granted by the AP High Court on sand mining in the state. While dealing with a batch of Special Leave Petitions moved by the state government and others, the apex court directed the state government to approach the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to get clearance for the sand mining in accordance with the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) notification.

AHMEDABAD: If everything goes according to plans, the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) will have three more routes by June-end. These new routes will take BRTS to Iskcon crossroads, Visat petrol pump in Chandkheda, and Soni-ni-Chawl.

The Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL) wanted to start these new routes by the end of this month, but could not. Now in all probability, the new routes will be added by June-end.

Escrow account, routing of fund through specified agencies under consideration, real estate bodies want clarity in definition

The finance ministry is building safeguards to ensure realty companies do not misuse the external commercial borrowing (ECB) window announced in the Budget by diverting the money. A senior official told Business Standard modalities were being worked out for implementation of the Budget announcements. These were likely to specify the projects and also the developers who would be allowed to utilise the ECB facility.

In the backdrop of recent murder of an IPS officer, allegedly by a mining mafia member in Madhya Pradesh, a woman revenue officer escaped from meeting a similar fate by a whisker when she tried to put a leash on illegal excavation of stones at Kusumania village in the district, officials said on Thursday.

The suspected mining mafia member, who tried to mow down Meena Pal, posted as Tehsildar at Kannod, when she was inspecting the illegal mining of stones at the site on Wednesday, is local BJP leader Dhara Singh Patel, they said.

Developers dejected as govt rules out repeal of Urban Land Ceiling Act

The promise of Ma, Mati, Manush governance by Mamata Banerjee may fall short of the second M-word, meaning land — at least for real estate developers in the state’s capital city. For, the West Bengal government has now decided to bring in an amendment to the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act (ULCA), 1976, an eyesore of developers for quite some time.

The controversial Lavasa Hill City project in Pune district has attracted the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's attention. Lavasa is being developed by the HCC Group.

The tribunal has asked the MoEF and the state of Maharashtra to file their replies on Lavasa's plea

The National Green Tribunal today deferred the hearing of Lavasa Corporation Ltd's petition challenging the environment ministry's decision to impose conditions with the environmental clearance accorded to the firm's $31 billion hillside township project near Pune. The hearing was adjourned for July 19, in wake of cases pending in the Bombay High Court on issues relating to the project where the tribunal's jurisdiction to hear Lavasa's plea is to be decided.

The Maharashtra government tabled a legislation in the state assembly on Wednesday to bring the much-needed transparency and discipline in the realty sector, and protect the interests of flat buyers. The Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and Development) Bill also proposes to repeal the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1963, envisaging establishment of a housing regulatory authority that will also be an appellate tribunal so as to promote planned development of flats and other residential buildings, besides their construction, management, sale and transfer.