Karnataka Government Scraps Town and Country Planning Amendment Bill

19 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Karnataka government decided to withdraw the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, citing concerns over flaws in its provisions. Urban Development Minister Suresh BS conveyed this decision during a session of the Assembly, explaining that the government identified certain shortcomings in the bill. However, he did not provide detailed information about the specific issues that led to this move.

The minister also highlighted that the bill had faced objections from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who raised concerns about its provisions. While the exact nature of these objections was not disclosed during the Assembly session, they appeared to have contributed significantly to the government’s decision to reconsider the legislation.

According to sources within the Urban Development Department, the bill was primarily aimed at regularising illegal layouts through the payment of a betterment fee. However, this objective was complicated by the Supreme Court’s ongoing stay on the controversial 'Akrama Sakrama' scheme, which had previously sought to legalise unauthorised constructions. These legal constraints and the associated risks prompted the government to halt any further progress on the bill, prioritising adherence to judicial directions and avoiding potential conflicts.

Infrastructure Urban

08 Apr 2026

UniAcoustic, Vicoustic Form UniVicoustic Alliance

UniAcoustic, part of United Group, has acquired a strategic stake in Portugal-based Vicoustic, forming a new alliance branded as UniVicoustic. The agreement, signed in Mumbai, marks a significant cross-border partnership aligned with evolving India–EU trade dynamics.The collaboration brings together Vicoustic’s global expertise in architectural acoustic products with UniAcoustic’s manufacturing scale and distribution capabilities. The combined platform aims to expand market reach, integrate technology and optimise supply chains across key regions.The development comes amid progress in th..

Dalmia Bharat, Delhi PWD Revamp Under-Flyover Spaces

Dalmia Bharat has partnered with the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Delhi, to redevelop select under-flyover spaces and a road stretch into sustainable urban hubs. The agreement covers key locations including Lodhi Flyover, Oberoi Flyover, Mangi Bridge and Hanuman Setu.Under the initiative, the company will undertake design, landscaping, plantation and long-term maintenance of the sites, with a defined upkeep period of three years after completion. The project aims to improve urban aesthetics while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity restoration in high-densit..

Versigent Debuts as Independent NYSE-Listed Company

Versigent has launched as an independent publicly traded company following its separation from Aptiv, with shares commencing trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “VGNT”. The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s transition into a standalone global player in power distribution systems.The company specialises in the design, manufacturing and delivery of low- and high-voltage electrical architectures, supported by engineering centres across four continents and manufacturing operations in over 25 countries.Versigent reported revenues of $8.8 billion, net inco..