Gujarat Offers Free Government Land For Urban Projects

29 Jan 2026 CW Team

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced a major people-centric policy to allot government land free of cost to municipalities for public welfare projects across towns and cities in the state. The move is aimed at improving transparency in urban administration and accelerating the delivery of essential civic infrastructure.

Under the new policy, municipalities will be eligible to receive government land without charge for developing 11 categories of key infrastructure facilities. Earlier, local bodies were required to pay between 25 and 50 per cent of the market value or jantri rates to acquire government land for development works. With this requirement removed, around 152 municipalities are expected to benefit from significant cost savings and a simplified land allotment process.

The decision is designed to facilitate faster implementation of public utility projects and strengthen access to essential services. The infrastructure covered under the policy includes municipal service centres, fire stations, sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants, underground sewerage systems, drainage pumping stations, water supply projects, solid and liquid waste management facilities, stormwater drainage works, anganwadis, town halls, community halls and convention centres.

By reducing the financial burden on municipalities, the policy is expected to accelerate urban development and enhance the pace of infrastructure creation. Citizens are likely to benefit from quicker access to critical services such as water supply, sanitation, education and healthcare, reinforcing the state’s focus on inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..