Centre Drops Greenfield Cities Plan, Redirects Rs 80 Bn

27 Jun 2025 CW Team

The Union government has quietly shelved the Fifteenth Finance Commission’s proposal to incubate eight new greenfield cities, reallocating the Rs 80 billion set aside for the venture to a forthcoming urban-development scheme. According to senior officials at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the new initiative is being shaped in consultation with NITI Aayog and the Asian Development Bank to bolster infrastructure in towns with populations below one lakh.

The decision, taken at the behest of the Prime Minister’s Office, follows presentations for the government’s 100-day agenda that urged channeling investment into existing urban centres rather than creating cities from scratch. As a result, 26 state proposals—including plans for Ayodhya, Jagiroad and an expanded GIFT City—have been put on ice despite preliminary state-level spending.

For the current fiscal year, the Centre is promoting planned townships through its Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment programme, which offers 50-year interest-free loans tied to sectoral reforms. Meanwhile, MoHUA is drafting the contours of an “urban challenge” fund announced in the Budget, likely to target towns of 50,000–100,000 inhabitants and carry an outlay of about Rs 1,000 billion.

Urban experts welcome the pivot. They argue that densifying city cores and upgrading peri-urban areas will yield stronger economic returns than creating “artificial” cities such as Lavasa or Naya Raipur, which have struggled to attract residents.

Success, they add, hinges on clear legal frameworks that let states tailor priorities while the Centre sets common standards.

Resources

09 Mar 2026

Haworth India Hosts Women’s Leadership Panel Series

Haworth India marked International Women’s Day by hosting a leadership roundtable series titled ‘Give to Gain’, bringing together senior women leaders from architecture and design firms, corporates and project management consultancies. The series has been conducted in Delhi and Mumbai, with upcoming sessions scheduled in Bengaluru and Hyderabad on 27 March 2026. Structured as moderated panel discussions followed by audience interaction, the initiative examined the business impact of women’s leadership and the role of inclusive workplaces in supporting professional growth. Manish Khan..

Max Estates Secures RERA For Max One Project

Max Estates has secured RERA approval (UPRERA No.: UPRERAPRJ9759) for its Max One development around Max Towers in Sector 16B, Noida, bringing renewed progress to a project previously stalled following the insolvency of its earlier developer. Spread across around 10 acres with an estimated development potential of about 2.5 million sq ft, Max One is planned as an integrated mixed-use campus combining serviced residences, premium offices, retail spaces and a private club. The project is expected to generate total sales potential of about Rs 20 billion along with an estimated annuity rental inc..

Hindware Introduces Starc Smart Wall Mount Toilet

Hindware has introduced the Starc Smart Wall-Mount Toilet under its Hindware Italian Collection, designed to combine automation, hygiene and contemporary bathroom aesthetics. The model features automatic flushing, sensor-based seat opening and closing, and remote-controlled functions. It also includes an oscillating water spray and warm air dryer for cleaning, along with a self-cleaning nozzle designed to maintain hygiene. Additional features include adjustable heated seating, customisable water temperature and pressure settings, a foot-touch flush system and an LCD control interface. The wa..