Top New Projects in Mumbai

NAVI MUMBAI: The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has launched an extensive scheme for leasing 48 plots in various nodes of Navi Mumbai. These plots are intended for constructing homes, bungalows, residential-cum-commercial complexes, service industries, and star hotels. Additionally, 218 shops in various CIDCO housing complexes are also available. Online registration for the plot sale scheme began last week, while shop registration started on July 16. This initiative aims to help common citizens achieve their dream of homeownership, according to CIDCO.

Vijay Singhal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CIDCO, stated, "CIDCO has consistently launched schemes for selling plots, shops, and commercial premises to boost the real estate sector and commercial activities in the city. These schemes strengthen Navi Mumbai's economy and offer citizens a golden opportunity to build their dream homes in this city. Additionally, developers, businessmen, and small and medium entrepreneurs have opportunities to expand their businesses."

The 48 plots are available in Ghansoli, Nerul, CBD Belapur, Kharghar, Koparkhairane, Kalamboli, Panvel (E), and Panvel (W) through an e-tender-cum-e-auction process for residential, bungalow, residential and commercial, commercial, service industry, and star hotel purposes. Registration can be done on the website eauction.cidcoindia.com until July 23, with results announced on July 25.

Manohar Shroff, senior vice president of CREDAI-MCHI Navi Mumbai, said, "This is the biggest offer since last year's Diwali, and the plots will see good bidding." Additionally, 218 shops from CIDCO’s housing complexes in Taloja, Kalamboli, Ghansoli, Kharghar, Dronagiri nodes, along with the Swapnapoorti housing complex, are available for sale through the same e-tender-cum-e-auction process. Results for the shops will be announced on August 20. The plots and shops are strategically located in rapidly developing areas of Navi Mumbai.

During the April-June 2024 period, land acquisitions remained subdued, with only 25 deals covering 325 acres, compared to 29 deals for 721 acres in the same period the previous year. This slowdown was attributed to high land prices and general elections. Bengaluru led with nine deals for about 114 acres, followed by Gurugram with seven deals for over 77.5 acres. Out of the total, 17 deals were proposed for residential developments on more than 163 acres. Other sectors like agriculture, mixed-use development, data centers, logistics parks, industrial, and retail saw one deal each.

In April-June, Mumbai recorded two deals for 4.52 acres, Hyderabad one deal for 48 acres, Pune two deals for 27.5 acres, Chennai one deal for 27 acres, Thane two deals for 24.95 acres, and Ahmedabad one deal for 1.37 acres.

For the first half of 2024, there were 54 deals for over 1,045 acres, compared to 46 deals for over 950 acres in H1 2023. Bengaluru and Gurugram each closed 15 deals for about 216 acres and 162 acres, respectively. Mumbai had five deals for 34 acres, Hyderabad and Chennai each had three deals for 63.5 acres and 48 acres, respectively. Pune, Ahmedabad, Noida, and Thane collectively closed two deals each for 103 acres. Ghaziabad and Delhi each closed one deal for 62.5 acres and five acres, respectively. Ayodhya, Jaipur, and Surat collectively saw one deal each for 353 acres.

**New Delhi:** Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance, presented the Union Budget 2024-2025 in Lok Sabha on July 23, 2024. Presenting her seventh straight budget, Sitharaman highlighted that India’s inflation continues to be low, stable, and moving towards the 4 percent target, with core inflation (non-food, non-fuel) currently at 3.1 percent. The budget focuses on nine priorities to generate ample opportunities: productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research and development, and next-generation reforms.

**Real Estate Industry Gains from Union Budget 2024-25:**

**Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY):** Three crore additional houses under PMAY have been announced, with necessary allocations made. PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0 will address the housing needs of 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families with an investment of ?10 lakh crore, including ?2.2 lakh crore central assistance over the next five years. A provision for interest subsidy to facilitate affordable loans is also envisaged.

**Transit-Oriented Development:** Plans for 14 large cities with a population above 30 lakh will be formulated, including implementation and financing strategies.

**Rental Housing:** Policies and regulations for efficient and transparent rental housing markets with enhanced availability will be put in place. Rental housing with dormitory-type accommodation for industrial workers will be facilitated in PPP mode with VGF support and commitment from anchor industries.

**Stamp Duty:** The center will encourage states to moderate high stamp duty rates and consider further lowering duties for properties purchased by women, making this reform an essential component of urban development schemes.

**Land-Related Reforms by State Governments:** Reforms will cover land administration, planning, and management in both rural and urban areas, incentivized for completion within the next three years through appropriate fiscal support.

**Rural Land-Related Actions:** These include assigning Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar for all lands, digitizing cadastral maps, surveying map sub-divisions as per current ownership, establishing land registries, and linking to the farmers' registry to facilitate credit flow and agricultural services.

**Urban Land-Related Actions:** Land records in urban areas will be digitized with GIS mapping. An IT-based system for property record administration, updating, and tax administration will be established to improve the financial position of urban local bodies.

**Cities as Growth Hubs:** The government will work with states to facilitate the development of 'Cities as Growth Hubs' through economic and transit planning and orderly development of peri-urban areas utilizing town planning schemes.

**Creative Redevelopment of Cities:** A framework for creative brownfield redevelopment of existing cities with transformative impact will be formulated, enabling policies, market-based mechanisms, and regulation.

**Long-Term Capital Gains:** Long-term gains on all financial and non-financial assets will attract a tax rate of 12.5 percent. The exemption limit for capital gains on certain financial assets has been increased to ?1.25 lakh per year to benefit the lower and middle-income classes.

**Andhra Pradesh Capital:** The central government will facilitate special financial support through multilateral development agencies to fulfill the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, with ?15,000 crore arranged for the current financial year and additional amounts in future years.

**National Company Law Tribunals:** The IBC has resolved over 1,000 companies, resulting in direct recovery of over ?3.3 lakh crore to creditors, with 28,000 cases involving over ?10 lakh crore disposed of prior to admission. Changes to the IBC and strengthening of tribunals will be initiated to speed up insolvency resolution, with additional tribunals established to decide cases exclusively under the Companies Act.

**PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:** Launched to install rooftop solar plants, enabling 1 crore households to obtain free electricity up to 300 units per month, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications received.

**Industrial Parks:** The government will facilitate the development of investment-ready “plug and play” industrial parks with complete infrastructure in or near 100 cities, in partnership with states and the private sector, by better using town planning schemes. Twelve industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme will also be sanctioned.

**Industry Reactions to Budget 2024-25:**

- **Aravind Maiya, CEO, Embassy REIT:** Reducing the holding period for long-term capital gains from 36 to 12 months aligns with listed equity shares, enhancing the attractiveness of the REIT product and increasing investor participation.

- **Murali Malayappan, Chairman & MD, Shriram Properties:** The digitization of India’s land documentation system is a game-changer, facilitating property transactions, reducing disputes, and encouraging investment, though issues like GST rationalization and industry status remain unaddressed.

- **Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, MD & CEO, Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate:** The increase in the affordable housing deduction for interest paid on loans is a positive change, providing relief to homebuyers and boosting the real estate market.

- **Ashwin Sheth, Chairman & MD, Ashwin Sheth Group:** The focus on efficient urban planning, including transit-oriented development and enhanced infrastructure for water supply, sewage, and waste management, will elevate the quality of urban living.

- **Manas Mehrotra, Founder, 315Work Avenue:** The budget could have better addressed the coworking sector by lowering GST rates for small-scale clients and establishing a single-window clearance system.

- **G Hari Babu, National President, NAREDCO:** The development of industrial parks in 100 cities under the Industrial Corridor initiative will create new real estate opportunities, potentially leading to the growth of commercial and residential properties.

- **Anshul Jain, Chief Executive - India, SE Asia & APAC Tenant Representation, Cushman & Wakefield:** The abolition of angel tax and reduction of corporate tax on foreign companies are encouraging for start-ups and GCCs, driving commercial real estate demand.

- **Pradeep Misra, Chairman & MD, Rudrabhishek Enterprises:** The development of TOD in 14 large cities and digitization of land records with GIS mapping will increase transparency and provide better administrative services.

- **Anurag Mathur, CEO, Savills India:** The budget’s attention to urban and rural development, rental housing for industrial workers, and TODs will positively impact the real estate sector.

- **Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director, Brigade Enterprises:** The budget has not addressed key demands such as granting industry status, input tax credit, and reduction of GST. The marginal increase in individual income tax savings is also a concern.

- **Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, Hiranandani Group:** The digitization of land records, urban housing for the middle class, and workforce skilling will have a profound impact on the real estate sector, currently experiencing double-digit growth.

- **Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK Group:** The mega allocation for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru industrial corridor and Vizag-Chennai corridor will boost growth and real estate development in these areas.

- **Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra:** The budget’s approach to job creation and boosting consumption is positive for the real estate sector.

- **Amar Mysore, President, CREDAI-Bengaluru:** The budget falls short of addressing core challenges such as industry status, GST relief, and streamlined approvals.

- **Domnic Romell, President, CREDAI-MCHI:** The focus on TOD for 14 large cities will improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance the livability and attractiveness of urban areas.

- **Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India):** The budget’s infrastructure impetus will create a multiplier effect and boost the overall housing sector.

- **Gautam Shahi, Director, CRISIL Ratings:** The reduction in the long-term capital gains tax rate to 12.5% is positive, but the removal of indexation will increase the tax incidence on property sales, especially for older properties.

- **Mehul Bheda, Partner, Dhruva Advisors:** The new tax treatment of buy-backs and broader tax impact on investments in non-financial assets balance positive reforms with drawbacks such as removing inflation-linked indexation.

- **Anupama Reddy, VP & Co-Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA:** The removal of indexation benefit will result in a higher tax burden on real estate transactions, despite the reduced LTCG tax rate.

- **Neeraj Akhoury, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association:** The ?11 lakh crore capital expenditure allocation signifies the government’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure, driving demand for building materials.

- **Parth Jindal, VP, Cement Manufacturers’ Association:** The allocation for education, employment, and skilling initiatives will create a skilled workforce for the cement industry.

- **Ramesh Nair, CEO, Mindspace Business Parks REIT:** The reduction of the holding period for long-term capital assets from 36 to 12 months improves liquidity in REITs and is a welcome change.

- **Amit Sinha, MD & CEO, Mahindra Lifespace Developers:** Encouraging states to reduce high stamp duties for women promotes inclusive homeownership.

- **Rajeev Vidhani, Partner, Khaitan & Co:** The removal of the indexation benefit for LTCG tax on real estate, despite the reduced tax rate, could lead to a higher tax burden on transactions.

- **Dhruv Agarwala, Group CEO, Housing:** The budget’s focus on affordable housing and improved accessibility represents a significant change for the real estate sector.

- **Dhaval Ajmera, Director,

Nielsen Media, a global leader in audience measurement and analytics, has secured a substantial office space lease in Mumbai's western suburb of Goregaon. The company has entered into a long-term lease agreement for over 152,000 sq ft of office space in the commercial tower Oberoi Commerz III, part of the larger Oberoi Garden City layout.

Key Details:

- Lease Duration: Over 10 years.

- Total Rental Cost: More than Rs 465 crore, excluding rental escalations.

- Rental Escalation Clause: 15% increase every three years.

- Lock-in Period: Five years.

Office Space Allocation:

- Nielsen Media: Will occupy the 36th to 38th floors, totaling 109,851 sq ft, plus an additional terrace carpet area of 2,553 sq ft.

- What’s On Media: A group company of Nielsen Media, will take the 35th floor, covering 37,932 sq ft, plus a terrace of 1,920 sq ft.

- Total Monthly Rent: Rs 3.88 crore initially, with Rs 2.87 crore for Nielsen Media and Rs 1.01 crore for What’s On Media.

- Parking: Exclusive access to 164 car parking slots.

Lease Agreement Timeline:

- Commencement: January 2025.

- Fit-out Period: Seven months starting from June 1, 2024.

Location Benefits:

- Oberoi Garden City: An 80-acre premium mixed-use development in Goregaon, adjacent to a metro station.

- Oberoi Commerz III: A 2.9-million-sq-ft tower housing key occupiers, including global investment bank Morgan Stanley.

Strategic Move:

Nielsen Media’s new office space is expected to serve as its global capability center (GCC) in India. This significant lease aligns with the broader trend of global occupiers returning strongly to the Indian office market, driven by technology and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sectors.

The Indian office market has shown remarkable resilience and growth, with gross leasing in the first half of the year reaching a record 33.5 million sq ft, up 29% from the previous year. This surge underscores confidence in India’s commercial real estate market despite global economic uncertainties, and the trend is expected to continue with robust demand from various sectors.

This significant leasing deal by Nielsen Media highlights the strong fundamentals and attractiveness of Mumbai’s commercial real estate market.

Asia Pacific-focused real estate investment firm ESR Group has leased 48,800 sq ft of industrial space to UPM Raflatac, a business unit of UPM and a provider of sustainable labelling solutions. This space, located in ESR Taloja Industrial & Logistics Park, will help UPM serve its growing Indian customer base and improve operational efficiency. Suresh Valecha, Country Manager of UPM Raflatac, India, emphasized the expansion's alignment with sustainability goals. Abhijit Malkani, CEO of ESR India, highlighted the collaboration's role in enhancing UPM's sustainable supply chain operations. ESR Taloja, spanning 90 acres and adjacent to Taloja MIDC, serves sectors like food processing, FMCG, engineering, pharmaceuticals, cold chain, logistics, and warehousing.

Observing that their conduct has jeopardized the entire redevelopment, the Bombay High Court recently ordered seven members of a housing society to either vacate their flats in Chakala, Andheri (East), within two weeks or pay Rs 5 lakh in costs. Justice Arif Doctor noted that such minority members often attempt to hinder redevelopment on frivolous grounds. DEM Homes LLP had filed a commercial arbitration petition regarding the dispute with the dissenting members.

In September 2023, a redevelopment agreement was made between the developer and Taruvel CHSL. A VJTI structural audit in October 2023 categorized the building as dilapidated. Despite obtaining an IOD (intimation of disapproval) and requesting residents to vacate, seven members refused, leading to the developer's high court petition. Advocates Sarosh Bharucha and Jay Vakil argued that the delay caused financial hardship, including compensation, rent, and other expenses.

Advocates Narayan Bubna and Pooja Malik, representing three members, claimed the developer was not fulfilling its obligations. However, Justice Doctor clarified that the agreement would be executed with the dissenting members, treating them equally. He ordered Rs 5 lakh in costs if the seven members do not vacate within two weeks. The costs would be shared equally between the developer and members who vacated. If unpaid, the developer and CHSL could recover it as arrears of land revenue.

The Mumbai police have booked two directors of Shriji Developers, Kirti Mehta and Mona Kiran Mehta, along with estate agent Sunil Bafna, for criminal breach of trust and cheating. The Kandivali police registered an offence on the complaint of Narendra Shah, a real estate investor, who alleged he had invested Rs 2 crores in 2019 to book seven flats in a housing project by Shriji Constructions in Kandivali West. The project was supposed to be completed by 2021, but Shah discovered that the developer had sold the project to Ruparel Realty instead.

Shah's FIR states that he was introduced to the Mehtas through Bafna in 2019. The Mehtas informed him about their firm's ongoing housing project in Kandivali West, which involved rehabilitating people under the SRA Scheme and selling flats in the saleable component. Convinced by their assurances, Shah booked six flats, signed the sale purchase agreement, and paid Rs 1.75 crores in installments. Additionally, he paid Rs 35 lakhs for seven parking lots, Rs 25 lakhs for registration and stamp duty, Rs 10 lakhs for GST, and Rs 7 lakhs as commission to the estate agent.

In 2022, Shah was shocked to learn that the Mehtas had sold the project to Ruparel Realty, effectively canceling the agreement. Despite repeated promises to return his Rs 2.25 crores investment, the Mehtas failed to do so, leaving Shah feeling cheated. The Kandivali police have now initiated an investigation into the matter.

Commenting on the situation, Thane-based social activist Melwyn Fernandes stated, "Real estate investment is dangerous for common people, even with laws like RERA and MPID. Citizens repeatedly lose their hard-earned money saved for retirement. The Maharashtra government should introduce a new law to tackle these huge financial frauds in the real estate sector."

Priyanjali Mariwala, a member of the promoter family of consumer goods company Marico, has purchased a luxury apartment in Mumbai’s prestigious Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) for Rs 65.25 crore. The apartment, spanning nearly 8,300 sq ft on the first floor of the super-premium residential tower Signature Island, was bought from Starlight Systems, a part of Sunteck Realty, the project’s developer. The deal, valued at Rs 78,690 per sq ft, also includes exclusive access to four car parking slots.

Mariwala paid a stamp duty of Rs 3.26 crore for the registration of the deal, which was finalized on July 1. Notably, the Maharashtra government offers a 1% concession in prevailing stamp duty for women homebuyers, reducing the stamp duty charge to 5% for this transaction.

Priyanjali Mariwala, married to Rishabh Mariwala, leads the ASCENT Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established by Marico Chairman Harsh Mariwala. The foundation aims to support high-potential entrepreneurs in scaling their enterprises and enhancing their entrepreneurial journeys.

Signature Island, consisting of three towers developed by Sunteck Realty, has attracted several prominent personalities from various sectors, including Uday Kotak, Gautam Adani, Vikram Pandit, Gunit Chaddha, and Mihir Doshi. Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ashok Wadhwa, and Sonam Kapoor are also among the apartment owners in this luxurious complex.

In 2021, Abbott Healthcare leased a 5,000 sq ft apartment in the tower for a monthly rental of around Rs 10 lakh, totaling over Rs 3.60 crore for the 36-month tenure. Current lease rentals in the tower range from Rs 15 lakh per month for smaller duplexes to Rs 20 lakh for larger duplex apartments.

The Indian residential real estate market reached an 11-year high in sales during the first half of 2024, driven by stable economic conditions and strong market confidence despite higher mortgage rates. Mumbai, the largest and most expensive property market, has been at the forefront of this trend, with over 10,000 property registrations each month in the first half of 2024 and 11 consecutive months of year-on-year growth in registrations since August 2023.

The acquisition of a luxury apartment by Priyanjali Mariwala in BKC underscores the continued demand for high-end residential properties in Mumbai. This purchase, along with other significant investments in Signature Island, highlights the appeal of premium real estate in one of the city’s most prestigious business districts.

The Bombay High Court has denied any relief from demolition to 41 buildings in Vasai, Palghar district, ruling that they are "wholly illegal and unauthorized." These buildings were constructed on land reserved for a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground.

A division bench of Justices M S Sonak and Kamal Khata observed that the buildings are "patently illegal" and directed flat owners to vacate the premises by September 30. The court allowed this extension on the condition that the owners submit an undertaking to vacate.

In June, the bench, while hearing a petition against the buildings, stated there was no impediment for the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) to take action against such structures. Following this, the VVCMC demolished some buildings and issued demolition notices to 41 others, instructing occupants to vacate within 24 hours.

Fifteen flat owners moved to the High Court seeking relief from the demolition. However, the court refused their plea, noting that the petitioners failed to show that their buildings were constructed with proper authorization. The court suggested that the flat owners could sue the builder or developer for damages, as they may have been deceived.

The bench criticized the civic body for its lack of prompt action, which allowed such illegal structures to be built. "The civic body is encouraging land mafia and poor people are suffering in all this," the court stated. The judges emphasized that the land reserved for essential infrastructure like sewage treatment and dumping grounds cannot be usurped.

Acknowledging the ongoing monsoon season, the court ordered that the demolition should not be carried out until September 30. However, flat owners must submit an undertaking within a month to vacate the premises by the end of September.

The Bombay High Court's decision underscores the importance of adhering to legal and regulatory frameworks in construction. It also highlights the need for civic bodies to take timely action to prevent illegal developments and protect essential infrastructure.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured over Rs 850 crore from the German state-owned development bank KfW to bolster urban infrastructure development in and around the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Additionally, MMRDA will contribute approximately Rs 365 crore from its own resources, bringing the total funding for these projects to Rs 1,215 crore.

The funds from KfW and MMRDA will be allocated to various sustainable development initiatives, including:

- Green Corridors: Development of eco-friendly pathways and green spaces.

- Solid Waste Management Systems: Enhanced systems for waste collection, recycling, and disposal.

- Recycling and Reuse Facilities: Infrastructure to support waste recycling and reuse.

- Renewable Energy Solutions: Projects aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy.

These initiatives are part of the MMR Urban Infrastructure Amenities Project, designed to improve environmental sustainability and enhance the quality of life for residents in the bustling metropolitan area.

Before this agreement, KfW had given in-principle approval for two loans totaling over 545 million Euros (Rs 4,767 crore) to support key mass transit projects in Mumbai. These include:

- Metro Line 4: Extending from Wadala in central Mumbai to Kasarvadavli in Thane.

- Metro Line 4A: Extending connectivity from Kasarvadavli to Gaimukh in Thane.

These fully elevated lines will span 34.82 km with 32 stations, significantly easing daily commutes and contributing to a cleaner, less congested city. The 545-million-euro loan is the highest financing approved for any Indian entity to date.

MMRDA is actively working on significant infrastructure projects, including the development of 14 different metro lines across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With a total length of 337 km, this is the longest metro network being developed simultaneously by a single agency anywhere in the world.

The collaboration between MMRDA and KfW highlights a strong commitment to sustainable urban development and improved public transportation. These projects are set to transform Mumbai's infrastructure, providing long-term benefits for the city's residents and environment.

The Bombay High Court has strongly criticized the State government and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) for failing to address the stalled redevelopment project in Wadala (E). The project, which has left occupants without their promised permanent accommodation or transit rent since 2013, prompted the court's sharp rebuke.

Justices Mahesh Sonak and Kamal Khata, in their order on Wednesday, stated, "The State and the SRA cannot adopt such an approach to the matter when the occupants who vacated their premises in 2013 are neither close to getting their promised permanent accommodation nor any transit rent." The court was hearing a petition filed by 20 members of Shaikh Misree SRA CHS. Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd, the original developer, stopped paying transit rent in 2015/2016, citing financial difficulties. To date, the rehabilitation building work has not started.

During a previous hearing, the SRA informed the court that lender J C Flowers Asset Reconstruction Pvt Ltd had submitted an application to take over the project, including Omkar’s assets and liabilities. However, the lender’s advocate, Vinod Kothari, clarified that their proposal only sought a change of the developer.

The judges asserted that the petitioners are entitled to transit rent and "cannot be made to run from pillar to post to recover their dues." They criticized both the developer and the lender for their unwillingness to pay arrears and reprimanded the State and SRA for their inaction. "None of the respondents are serious about solving the petitioners’ most genuine problem," the judges noted.

They highlighted that Omkar, despite claiming financial incapacity, is unwilling to relinquish the project to a new developer. The judges declared, "This unfortunate situation cannot continue any longer," emphasizing that Omkar "cannot declare that it has no means to pay the transit accommodation rent, which it is statutorily duty-bound to pay."

The court directed Omkar to deposit all rent arrears by July 24. If Omkar fails to comply, its Managing Director must appear in court personally and submit an affidavit disclosing all company assets. The judges also noted that despite having ample time, the SRA and State government had not made decisions on the proposals from Omkar and the lender, and were seeking further adjournments almost six months later.

The court ordered the SRA and the State government to make firm decisions on the proposals within two weeks, aiming to expedite the resolution of this prolonged issue and ensure the occupants receive their due accommodations and rents.

In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has mandated the Maharashtra government to reclaim 20 acres of land in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, originally reserved for a government sports complex, from realty developer Kalpataru’s subsidiary, Ixora Properties. The decision underscores the court’s concern over the state’s prolonged failure to develop the sports complex, initially intended to foster sports and nation-building.

In an affidavit filed by Aseemkumar Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department (UDD), it was revealed that the state government had taken a stance that the cost of the 20 acres, as demanded by CIDCO, would be Rs 2500 crore. This pricing was contested by the court, especially given CIDCO's prior allotment of 36 acres to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) for a sports complex at a significantly lower lease premium of Rs 22 crore.

The HC criticized the state government and UDD officials for their "lackadaisical approach" over the past 20 years, resulting in the failure to establish the international-standard sports complex on the 61-acre CIDCO plot. The court also quashed CIDCO's 2017 decision to allot part of this land to a builder, Progressive Homes, for commercial use, calling it "objectionable, arbitrary, and illegal."

Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Jitendra Jain emphasized the necessity of accessible sports facilities in urban areas like Navi Mumbai, highlighting the detrimental impact on children and youth deprived of these amenities. The court noted the importance of sports in the development of citizens and the nation, reinforcing that such facilities should not be compromised for commercial exploitation.

While the state had proposed relocating the sports complex to a remote site in Mangaon taluka, 115 km away, the HC deemed this move impractical due to the lack of infrastructure in the rural area. The court suggested that while an additional sports complex could be developed in Raigad, it should not substitute the one planned for Navi Mumbai.

The ruling came in response to a PIL filed in 2019 by the Indian Institute of Architects, Navi Mumbai chapter, represented by Shekhar Bagool and Kaushal Jadia. The PIL argued against the conversion of land reserved for the government sports complex into commercial use. The court’s judgment paves the way for better sports facilities and policies in the state, ensuring that the land in Ghansoli is used as intended for the public good.

The Bombay High Court’s decision highlights the importance of prioritizing public interest and sports development over commercial gains. The ruling directs CIDCO to hand over the entire plot in sectors 12 and 12A to the state for the sports complex, either free or at government rates, reinforcing the role of sports in the holistic development of the community.