NGT Order Halts 70,000 MMR Homes Near Eco Sensitive Zones

02 Jul 2025 CW Team

More than 70,000 housing units spread across 493 developments in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have stalled after the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal, ruled that schemes within five kilometres of any eco sensitive zone must obtain environmental clearance from the Union Government rather than the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

The NGT’s August 2023 decision, prompted by a petition from environmentalist Pranjal Karera, requires the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to assess all construction near wildlife sanctuaries, critically polluted areas and other protected tracts. Developers say the shift has disrupted timelines and strained finances, particularly for affordable and mid income schemes.

In early June, builders asked municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to permit work up to plinth level under the Ease of Doing Business initiative. The request was rejected because it would breach the tribunal’s order.

Neighbourhoods now affected include belts surrounding Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala and Thane Bird Sanctuaries, Panvel Creek and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary. Zameer Khan, chief executive of Unimax World, warned that clearance delays threaten scheme viability; many sites still await Coastal Zone Management Plan approval, adding further uncertainty.

Navi Mumbai is among the worst hit. Numerous projects on CIDCO allotted land cannot register with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority until they receive the new permissions. Hitendra Ghadia, director at Millennium Infra, noted that the knock on effects extend to contractors, buyers and state revenues, urging a swift, workable remedy.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..