The Revenue and Forests Department issued a Government Resolution (GR) bearing number Land-2026/Pr.No.39/Land-1 (E-1539259) on July 14, 2026, specifically covering popular hill stations including Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Matheran, Chikhaldara, Lonavala, Khandala, Toranmal, and Igatpuri.

Key Provisions of the GR

The order covers three major categories of cases on government lands allotted on occupancy rights or leasehold basis:

1. Regularization of Encroachments: All cases of unauthorized occupation or construction, irrespective of the premium amount involved, must now be submitted to the State Government for approval after thorough scrutiny.
2. Conversion of Occupancy Class-2 to Class-1: Proposals to upgrade lands from restricted Bhogvataar Varg-2 to full-ownership-like Varg-1 status will also require complete state government approval, regardless of the conversion premium.
3. Renewal of Expired Leases: All requests for renewal of leases that have lapsed or are nearing expiry must be forwarded to the government.

The GR emphasizes that proposals must be examined in accordance with the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, and previous government resolutions on land conversion and lease renewal. Crucially, inputs from the Forest Department and Environment Department will be mandatory before forwarding files to Mantralaya.

Background and Rationale

The government noted inconsistencies in how field-level officers were handling such cases in hill stations. It highlighted the unique importance of these areas — not only as tourism hotspots but also as vital zones for environmental conservation, biodiversity, public health (acting as natural sanatoriums), and the state’s overall economy.

This decision effectively overrides earlier delegations of financial powers given to District Collectors (up to ₹1 crore for conversions) and Divisional Commissioners, bringing all such matters under direct state scrutiny.

The move comes in the backdrop of the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Conversion of Class-2 to Class-1) Rules, 2025, and multiple previous notifications issued in 2025 and 2026.

Implications

• For Developers & Landholders: Processes are likely to become slower and more stringent, with greater emphasis on environmental compliance.
• For Environment: Stronger protection against unregulated development in fragile hill ecosystems.
• For Homebuyers & Investors: Increased regulatory oversight may reduce risks of illegal constructions but could also delay legitimate projects.

The GR instructs all Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors, and concerned officers to strictly comply with the new directives. The full order has been made available on the Maharashtra government portal with reference code 202607141823040948.

This latest step reflects the state’s continued focus on sustainable development and tighter control over sensitive ecological zones.

Also Read: MHADA removes encroachment on its 9 acre land in Mumbai

The post Maharashtra Govt Centralizes All Land Approvals in Hill Stations for Environmental Protection appeared first on Square Feat India.

Bidding and Property Details

The property, which bears Survey No. 34, consists of N.A. plots along with three G+1 storied residential bungalows. The total area of the land is 3,832.36 square meters. Bids must be submitted in separate sealed envelopes , with the last date for receipt being September 9, 2025, by 3:00 PM IST. The bids will be opened on the same day at 4:00 PM IST. Prospective bidders can inspect the property up to September 8, 2025.

Key Requirements for Bidders

A mandatory Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹10,00,000 is required to be submitted with the bid. The EMD must be paid via Demand Draft or RTGS in favor of “Reserve Bank of India, Fort Mumbai”. Bidders are also required to provide a photo identity proof. All relevant communication will be conveyed via email/SMS.

Terms of Sale

The successful bidder will be required to pay 25% of the winning bid value within 10 days of the sale confirmation. The remaining 75% must be paid within 90 days thereafter. The RBI reserves the right to reject any or all bids without assigning any reason. All expenses related to the transfer, including stamp duty, registration charges, society dues, and municipal taxes, will be the responsibility of the purchaser.

Also Read: RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 25bps: A Boon for Homebuyers and the Real Estate Sector

The post RBI to Sell Lonavala Bungalows with ₹6.55 Crore Reserve Price appeared first on Square Feat India.

The rise of Panvel, along with Virar, which also saw a 58% growth, highlights the growing appeal of peripheral locations. While prime city areas like Worli and Lower Parel recorded price increases of 37% and 49% respectively, the surge in peripheral locations is largely driven by enhanced connectivity and affordability.

Property prices in Panvel and Virar have risen rapidly due to significant infrastructure developments in the region. Key projects like the Atal Setu Bridge, which improves connectivity between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), set to boost global connectivity, are making these areas more accessible and attractive to homebuyers, investors, and developers alike. Additionally, the Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, which will drastically reduce travel time between Virar and Alibaug, is another key factor fueling interest in these areas.

The demand for affordable housing in these locations, combined with improved access to Mumbai, is driving the price rise. As commuting times shorten with better road and rail connectivity, Panvel and Virar have become popular alternatives for homebuyers seeking more spacious homes at affordable prices compared to central Mumbai. Developers are responding to this growing demand by launching numerous projects, anticipating interest from a middle-class population eager to invest in suburban living.

This trend of peripheral areas outperforming prime locations is not exclusive to Mumbai. Across India’s top seven cities, price growth in suburban areas has surpassed that of city centers. With improved infrastructure and the availability of spacious and affordable housing options, suburban areas are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for homebuyers.

Beyond affordable housing, there is also a rising demand for holiday homes in peripheral areas. Locations like Lonavala and Alibaug, which offer proximity to Mumbai along with serene environments and luxury living options, have become prime markets for second homes. These areas are increasingly seen as ideal for weekend getaways and investment opportunities, further boosting their appeal.

The growing popularity of holiday homes in these regions is driven by a combination of scenic landscapes, improved connectivity, and changing lifestyle preferences. Many affluent buyers are now investing in luxury villa projects in these areas, marking them as prime locations for second homes. Supported by robust infrastructure growth, these micro-markets are expected to continue thriving in the coming years.

This shift in the real estate landscape underscores the dynamic transformation taking place in India’s housing market. With infrastructure development and connectivity at its core, the rise of peripheral areas is setting the stage for the next phase of growth in India’s real estate sector, creating a diverse and evolving housing market.

Also Read: Peripheries will rise, as walk to work takes backseat

The post Peripheral Areas Outshine Mumbai’s Prime Locations in Residential Price Appreciation appeared first on Square Feat India.

By Varun Singh

Harsha Bhogle is one of the most famous cricket commentators in the World.

His son recently paid Rs 6.67 crore to buy an apartment in Mumbai.

Harsha Bhogle’s son Satchit Bhogle bought the flat in the building named Crescent Bay located in Mumbai’s Parel.

According to documents provided by Index Tap the deal was registered on August 24, 2021.

The apartment is located on the 48th floor of the building. and measures 1811 square feet.

Along with the apartment, the new owner Satchit Harsha Bhogle who bought the apartments from L&T Parel Projects LLP will have an access to two car parks.

Stamp duty of Rs 33.35 lakh was paid for the registration of the apartment.

Veteran cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar recently bought a flat in Bandra for Rs 6 crore.

Recently, cricketer, Rohit Sharma sold his bungalow in Lonavala for Rs 5.25 crore.

Also Read: Sunny Leone Buys Andheri Flat For Rs 16 Crore

The post Harsha Bhogle’s Son buys a Flat for Rs 6.67 Crore appeared first on Square Feat India.

By Varun Singh

Ace cricketer and member of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma has recently sold a bungalow belonging to him in Lonavla for an amount less than at what he had bought it way back in 2016.

According to the documents made available to squarefeatindia.com, by Zapkey, Rohit Sharma in May 2021 sold a bungalow for Rs 5.25 crore. 

The bungalow is a villa numbered 15, located in the project named Discovery by S2 reality. The bungalow sold by Rohit Sharma measures 6329 sq ft. 

While the documentation regarding the sale of the bungalow was carried out on May 29, 2021, the registration was finally completed on June 1, 2021.

A stamp duty of Rs 26.25 lakh was paid for the registration of the document.
Interestingly Rohit Sharma had bought this bungalow way back in January 2016.

At that time Rohit Sharma had paid an amount of Rs 6 crore for the villa.  The stamp duty paid way back in 2016 was Rs 30 lakh.

Documents accessed by this website show that the cricketer Sold the bungalow in 2021 for a difference of Rs 75 lakh. 

The cricketer who is also the captain of the Mumbai Indians IPL team has a sprawling house located in Mumbai’s Prabhadevi area.

According to a report by mid-day in 2016, actor Suniel Shetty via S2 Realty built this huge project, named Discovery, which is spread across seven acres and has more than 21 bungalows. 

Every villa in the project has a private terrace. The project belongs to S2 realty, owned by Suniel Shetty his wife Mana and others.

Also Read: Ajay Devgan’s New Bungalow Didn’t Cost Rs 60 Crore

The post Rohit Sharma Sells Villa for Less than He Bought it for appeared first on Square Feat India.