Techno Paints Expands Reach With Sachin Tendulkar As Brand Ambassador
Mumbai Dharavi Project Promises Secure Housing Transition
Mumbai’s long-awaited Dharavi redevelopment initiative is moving towards a formal launch, with the Maharashtra government preparing to seek central support for the project’s foundation phase. The proposed transformation of one of the world’s most densely populated informal settlements is being positioned as a defining test of India’s approach to inclusive urban regeneration, balancing housing security, economic continuity and large-scale infrastructure delivery.
State officials confirmed that the government intends to request the Prime Minister to inaugurate the redevelopment programme, signalling political backing for a project that has significant social, financial and urban planning implications. The initiative aims to reorganise nearly 259 hectares of land into a planned township with upgraded housing, services and economic infrastructure, while ensuring that eligible residents are provided formal homes as part of rehabilitation. According to the approved framework, households established in Dharavi before January 2000 qualify for free 350 sq ft apartments within the redevelopment area. Residents who settled between 2000 and 2011 may be offered smaller homes at alternate locations, subject to documentation and eligibility checks. Officials involved in the planning process say the objective is to address long-standing housing insecurity while decongesting unsafe living conditions and improving access to sanitation, mobility and public services.
The master plan outlines construction of over 58,000 residential units alongside approximately 13,000 commercial and industrial spaces. Urban planners note that retaining economic activity within or near Dharavi is critical, given the area’s role as a major hub for informal manufacturing, recycling and small-scale enterprises. Surveys covering more than 85,000 structures have already been conducted, forming the basis for rehabilitation phasing and eligibility assessments. The project is being implemented through a public–private partnership structure, with a special purpose vehicle responsible for financing, design and execution. The private partner holds a majority stake, while the state government remains a shareholder, reflecting a shared-risk model increasingly used for complex urban redevelopment projects. The core rehabilitation cost is estimated at close to ₹1 lakh crore, though the broader economic footprint, including commercial development and supporting infrastructure, is expected to be substantially higher over the project lifecycle.
Despite official assurances, concerns persist among sections of residents and political groups regarding transparency, relocation timelines and long-term affordability. Urban policy experts emphasise that sustained community engagement and clear communication will be essential to prevent displacement risks and ensure social stability during phased construction, which is currently targeted for completion around 2032. If executed effectively, the Dharavi redevelopment could set a national benchmark for climate-resilient, mixed-use urban renewal, integrating formal housing with livelihoods, transit connectivity and sustainable infrastructure. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the project can translate its scale and ambition into equitable outcomes for Mumbai’s most vulnerable urban communities.
Mumbai Dharavi Project Promises Secure Housing Transition
Lodha Expands Project Pipeline Across Three Major Indian Cities
Lodha Developers has strengthened its multi-city development pipeline after securing five new land parcels across Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru during the third quarter of the current financial year. The acquisitions, spread across India’s most demand-driven housing markets, are expected to support projects with a combined estimated development value of nearly ₹34,000 crore, underscoring the company’s confidence in sustained urban housing demand.
Industry analysts view the move as a calibrated expansion strategy rather than aggressive land banking. By acquiring sites through a mix of outright purchases and structured partnerships, Lodha is positioning itself to respond to end-user demand while limiting balance-sheet risk in a capital-intensive sector. The new parcels are expected to be primarily developed as residential projects, aligned with the company’s focus on large-format, master-planned housing. According to regulatory disclosures, the land additions were completed during the October–December quarter and span three regions that together account for a significant share of India’s organised housing demand. Mumbai Metropolitan Region remains the company’s core market, but the inclusion of Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru reflects a deliberate effort to diversify geographically while staying within high-absorption urban centres.
Urban development experts note that such expansion is being driven by structural shifts in Indian cities. Rising household formation, infrastructure-led suburban growth, and increased preference for professionally developed housing have made large developers more central to city-building outcomes. In this context, Lodha’s expanding land pipeline signals growing institutional confidence in long-term urban residential demand. The company’s recent entry into Delhi-NCR through joint development agreements marks a notable shift for a developer historically concentrated in western and southern India. Sector observers say the partnership-led approach in NCR allows Lodha to navigate a fragmented regulatory environment while tapping into one of the country’s largest yet most trust-deficit housing markets. The region’s scale, combined with chronic undersupply of branded residential projects, offers both opportunity and execution risk.
Lodha’s growth trajectory is also supported by strong sales momentum. Over the past year, the developer recorded a sharp increase in booking values, supported by improved project delivery timelines and buyer preference for financially stable developers. For the current financial year, the company has set an ambitious sales target, reflecting confidence in market depth across its operating regions. From an urban planning perspective, the expansion raises broader questions around density management, infrastructure capacity, and sustainability. Large-scale housing projects increasingly shape transport demand, energy use, and liveability outcomes. Analysts stress that execution quality, integration with public infrastructure, and climate-responsive design will determine whether such developments contribute to resilient and inclusive city growth.
As Lodha advances these projects from land acquisition to construction, attention will remain on how efficiently capital is deployed and how well new housing integrates with the evolving urban fabric of India’s fastest-growing cities.
Lodha Expands Project Pipeline Across Three Major Indian Cities
Mumbai Commercial Property Sees Consolidation Driven Deal
A cluster of commercial office units in Mumbai’s Santacruz East has changed hands in a high-value consolidation move, reflecting how investors are reworking ownership structures to unlock long-term value in the city’s office market. Windsor Realty has acquired four office units in a premium commercial tower near the Bandra–Kurla Complex, bringing the entire asset under unified ownership through transactions totalling ₹283 crore.
The acquisitions cover more than 42,000 sq ft of carpet area in a completed office building positioned along one of Mumbai’s key commercial corridors. Property registration records show the transactions were executed through multiple sale agreements in December, allowing Windsor Realty to buy out earlier co-owners, including a listed building materials company and an investment partner associated with the project. Market participants describe the deal as less about expansion and more about simplification. Commercial assets in Mumbai, particularly those developed a decade or more ago, are often split across several corporate owners due to joint development arrangements or phased exits. Consolidating such assets under a single entity improves decision-making, operational efficiency and flexibility around leasing, refinancing or future redevelopment.
One of the largest components of the transaction involved the sale of nearly 26,000 sq ft of office space by a listed corporate seller, following board-level clearance earlier in the month. Industry analysts note that corporate divestments of non-core real estate have accelerated as companies look to strengthen balance sheets while developers and investors selectively acquire stabilised, income-generating assets. The location of the property is central to its appeal. Santacruz East sits between South Mumbai’s traditional business districts and emerging commercial hubs such as Kurla and Andheri, benefiting from proximity to mass transit, arterial roads and the airport. Urban planners say such transit-linked micro-markets are increasingly favoured as firms seek to shorten commute times and reduce the carbon intensity of daily travel.
Mumbai’s office market has seen renewed momentum over the past year, supported by steady leasing activity and a cautious pipeline of new supply. Rather than speculative construction, much of the capital deployment is now directed towards improving existing buildings, consolidating fragmented assets and upgrading them to meet contemporary standards for energy efficiency, safety and workplace design. For the city, consolidation-led transactions carry wider implications. Single-owner assets are easier to retrofit for green building certifications, adopt centralised energy management systems and implement inclusive workplace features. These upgrades align with the broader shift towards climate-resilient commercial infrastructure in India’s largest employment hub.
Real estate advisors expect similar transactions to continue, particularly in locations surrounding the Bandra–Kurla Complex where land constraints limit new supply. As older assets come up for rationalisation, consolidation is likely to play a growing role in shaping Mumbai’s next phase of commercial real estate evolution.
Looking ahead, the success of such deals will depend on how effectively owners can reposition these buildings for a changing workforce—one that values accessibility, sustainability and flexibility as much as address prestige. In that context, ownership clarity may prove as important as location itself.
Mumbai commercial property sees consolidation driven deal
Mumbai Real Estate Steadies Amid Global Uncertainty
Mumbai reinforced its position as India’s largest housing market in 2025, closing the year with steady residential absorption and resilient office leasing, even as global economic signals remained uneven. The city’s real estate performance mattered not because of record-breaking growth, but because it demonstrated how disciplined supply, infrastructure-led expansion and evolving occupier needs can stabilise a dense megacity economy.
The Mumbai housing market recorded nearly 97,200 home registrations during the year, marginally higher than the previous year, according to industry assessments. Prices continued to edge up, with average residential values rising about 7 percent, reflecting buyer confidence rather than speculative momentum. Urban planners say this steadiness indicates a market increasingly driven by end-users who prioritise long-term liveability, connectivity and resilience over short-term price arbitrage. A key shift within the Mumbai housing market was the gradual movement away from entry-level units. Homes priced below ₹50 lakh saw their share shrink, while mid and upper-mid segments gained traction. Apartments in the ₹2–5 crore bracket emerged as the most active category, supported by manageable inventory levels and demand for larger, better-planned homes. This trend mirrors changing household structures, work-from-home realities and a growing emphasis on energy-efficient buildings and shared amenities.
On the commercial side, Mumbai’s office sector leased around 9.8 million square feet in 2025, making it one of the strongest years in the past decade despite a modest year-on-year dip. The second half of the year remained active, led by large occupiers consolidating operations into fewer, higher-quality workplaces. Industry experts note that companies are increasingly prioritising floorplate efficiency, transit access and environmental performance over legacy central business district addresses. Global Capability Centres played a decisive role in reshaping demand. Their share of total leasing expanded sharply, driven by financial services, engineering and technology firms using Mumbai as a base for analytics, design and strategic functions. This evolution positions the city not just as a commercial capital, but as a critical node in global enterprise value chains.
Suburban business districts accounted for the majority of office transactions. Locations such as Andheri East, Goregaon, Airoli and Thane benefitted from new metro lines, improved road links and comparatively competitive rentals. While traditional hubs continue to command premium rents, much of the city’s incremental growth is now happening in decentralised clusters that reduce commute times and spread economic activity more evenly. Developers also exercised restraint. New residential launches declined, broadly matching absorption and helping reduce unsold inventory. This discipline prevented oversupply and supported gradual price appreciation without destabilising affordability. Average office rents rose moderately, supported by limited new completions and sustained demand for Grade A buildings.
Infrastructure investments quietly underpinned these trends. New metro corridors and the trans-harbour link expanded the city’s functional geography, drawing housing demand towards peripheral suburbs and easing pressure on older neighbourhoods. As Mumbai enters 2026, its real estate story is less about acceleration and more about calibration. The challenge ahead will be to align housing affordability, commercial growth and climate resilience, ensuring that India’s largest housing market also evolves into one of its most inclusive and sustainable urban systems.
Mumbai real estate steadies amid global uncertainty
Delhi NCR And Mumbai Reset Property Cycles
Delhi–NCR closed 2025 as India’s fastest-rising residential price market, even as transaction volumes cooled, signalling a structural shift in how housing demand is shaping the region. New market assessments indicate that while fewer homes changed hands over the year, buyers paid significantly more per square foot, underlining a decisive move towards premium housing and selective urban densification.
Across the region, annual home sales moderated to just over 52,000 units, reflecting a cooling from the post-pandemic surge. Yet average residential prices rose sharply to about ₹6,000 per square foot, marking the strongest annual growth among major Indian housing markets. Analysts attribute this divergence to product mix rather than speculative inflation, with higher-value homes increasingly dominating new supply and absorption. Gurugram remained the principal driver of this trend. Large-format, amenity-rich developments along key infrastructure corridors accounted for a disproportionate share of new launches and buyer interest. Urban planners say this “premiumisation” reflects changing household expectations, including demand for larger homes, better energy efficiency and integrated social infrastructure. It has also pushed average prices higher even as overall volumes stabilised.
By contrast, Mumbai continued to assert itself as India’s largest and most resilient housing market by scale. The city maintained steady residential absorption while simultaneously delivering one of its strongest years for office leasing in over a decade. Market observers note that Mumbai’s depth lies in its diversified demand base, spanning end-users, investors and institutional occupiers, supported by long-term infrastructure upgrades and redevelopment-led supply. Commercial real estate trends mirrored this divergence. Delhi–NCR recorded its second-highest level of annual office leasing in 2025, crossing 11 million square feet, though activity slowed in the second half of the year due to limited availability of Grade A space. New office completions reached a multi-year high, suggesting that supply pipelines are finally catching up with sustained demand from domestic firms and global capability centres.
Gurugram once again led NCR’s office market, while Noida gained traction as improved connectivity and the impending operationalisation of the new international airport reshaped occupier strategies. In Mumbai, suburban business districts attracted large-format deals, reinforcing a decentralised office geography that aligns with evolving work patterns. Rising rents across prime office micro-markets in both regions further underline tightening availability of high-quality space. Industry experts say this trend places a premium on well-planned, transit-connected commercial districts that can support lower commuting emissions and higher workforce productivity.
From an urban policy perspective, the data points to a broader recalibration underway. Delhi–NCR’s price-led housing growth highlights the need for balanced supply across income segments, while Mumbai’s scale-driven stability underscores the importance of redevelopment and infrastructure-led renewal. As both regions move into 2026, the challenge will be to convert price momentum into inclusive, climate-resilient urban growth that aligns housing, jobs and mobility more sustainably.
Delhi NCR And Mumbai Reset Property Cycles
Gurugram Reinforces Its Lead In NCR Housing
Gurugram has once again emerged as the central driver of residential growth across the Delhi National Capital Region, underscoring how infrastructure-led planning and disciplined supply can shape a resilient urban housing market. Latest market data for the final quarter of 2025 shows the city accounting for roughly half of all new residential launches in NCR, a performance that has significant implications for homebuyers, developers and regional planners alike.
According to recent residential market assessments, NCR recorded a sharp rise in new housing supply during the quarter, with launches rising substantially both on a quarterly and annual basis. Gurugram alone contributed the largest share, far outpacing neighbouring micro-markets such as Noida and Ghaziabad. Industry analysts attribute this dominance to a convergence of factors rather than a short-term surge, pointing to sustained buyer confidence built over several years.
A key factor underpinning Gurugram residential growth has been the steady rollout of transport and urban infrastructure. Peripheral corridors such as the Dwarka Expressway and emerging sectors of New Gurugram have expanded the city’s residential footprint while improving regional connectivity. Urban planners note that these corridors have reshaped buyer preferences, shifting demand towards larger, master-planned developments that combine housing with social and commercial infrastructure.
Equally important has been the role of branded, professionally managed projects. Housing demand in Gurugram is increasingly concentrated in developments delivered by established players with strong balance sheets and a track record of timely completion. Market observers say this preference reflects a maturing buyer base that values delivery certainty, long-term asset quality and governance standards over speculative pricing gains. Pricing behaviour has also played a critical role. While average launch prices across NCR recorded a moderate upward movement in the final quarter of 2025, Gurugram’s increases remained measured. This pricing discipline, coupled with calibrated supply, has helped avoid the volatility seen in earlier real estate cycles. Analysts describe the market as stable rather than overheated, with transaction values supported by genuine end-user and long-term investor demand.
Another notable trend is the gradual broadening of demand beyond ultra-luxury housing. Developers are increasingly introducing mid-to-upper segment products aligned with changing household structures, remote work patterns and lifestyle expectations. This diversification has helped sustain absorption even as overall ticket sizes rise, reinforcing Gurugram’s ability to balance scale with market depth.
From a wider urban perspective, Gurugram’s performance highlights the importance of integrated planning in large metropolitan regions. Concentrated growth near infrastructure corridors reduces pressure on older city cores, supports more efficient commuting patterns and creates opportunities for transit-linked, mixed-use development.
However, experts caution that sustained leadership will depend on parallel investments in water security, energy efficiency and social infrastructure to ensure long-term liveability. As NCR transitions into a more stable, user-driven housing cycle, Gurugram’s experience offers a template for how infrastructure, governance and market discipline can work together. The next phase will test whether this growth can remain inclusive, climate-resilient and evenly distributed across the region’s expanding urban landscape.
Gurugram Reinforces Its Lead In NCR Housing
DDA Advances Transit Oriented Housing In East Delhi
The Delhi Development Authority has moved ahead with the second phase of its high-density residential development at Karkardooma, reinforcing a growing shift towards transit-oriented housing in the capital. The latest rollout at the East Delhi Hub adds hundreds of premium homes directly integrated with mass transit, a model increasingly seen as critical for managing Delhi’s land scarcity, commuting pressures and environmental footprint.
Under the new phase of the DDA Towering Heights project, 848 apartments are being offered, with the majority available to individual buyers through a digital, first-come framework and a smaller portion set aside for institutional allotment. Registration opens this month through the authority’s housing portal, with allotments scheduled to remain open until the end of the financial year. Urban housing officials say the timeline is designed to ensure quicker absorption while limiting speculative holding. Pricing for the DDA Towering Heights units places the development firmly in the premium category, reflecting both its vertical design and strategic location. Buyers are required to commit a partial payment upfront, with the balance payable closer to possession, a structure that reduces immediate capital burden while ensuring delivery discipline. Charges related to taxation, utilities and long-term maintenance will be levied separately, aligning the project with prevailing regulatory norms for completed housing stock.
What distinguishes this project is not just scale, but form. Rising to nearly 50 storeys, the residential tower is currently the tallest of its kind within Delhi’s municipal limits. Urban planners note that such vertical expansion marks a departure from the city’s traditionally low-rise character, signalling a cautious but deliberate embrace of compact development near transport nodes. The project sits directly above a major interchange station connecting two metro corridors, with additional road and inter-state bus connectivity close by.
The larger East Delhi Hub spans roughly 30 hectares and is being shaped as a mixed-use district combining housing, mobility infrastructure and civic amenities. Officials involved in the planning say the intent is to reduce dependence on private vehicles by placing homes within walking distance of rail-based transit, retail and workplaces. This aligns with the broader principles of transit-oriented development, which aim to curb urban sprawl, shorten travel times and lower per-capita emissions. Market response to the first phase of DDA Towering Heights offered insights into demand dynamics. That launch attracted more registrations than available units, indicating appetite for well-located, ready-to-occupy housing even at higher price points. Real estate analysts caution, however, that long-term success of such projects will depend on seamless last-mile access, public realm quality and affordable service charges.
As Delhi looks to redevelop ageing neighbourhoods and accommodate future population growth, projects like DDA Towering Heights are likely to shape how density is perceived and delivered. The next challenge will be ensuring that vertical living is matched with social infrastructure, climate resilience and inclusive access, turning transit-linked towers into complete urban communities rather than isolated landmarks.
DDA Advances Transit Oriented Housing In East Delhi
Dulux Collaborates with Nooku on Low VOC Paints
The quality of air inside homes and offices is emerging as a critical factor in sustainable urban living, and leading paint manufacturer Dulux has taken a step to make this visible. In collaboration with indoor air quality monitor maker Nooku, the company is demonstrating how low-emission paints can significantly reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improve the air residents breathe. The initiative addresses growing concerns that indoor spaces can contain up to five times the pollutants found outdoors.
VOCs, primarily released by traditional solvent-based paints, have long been recognised as contributors to indoor air pollution, with potential health implications. Through this partnership, Dulux is highlighting its water-based and low-VOC formulations, including trade and consumer products that maintain durability and finish quality while lowering chemical emissions. Experts in building sustainability note that such innovations align with global green building benchmarks, including BREEAM, LEED, and WELL standards. Using Nooku’s real-time monitoring devices, which track VOCs, humidity, CO₂, and other airborne pollutants, the collaboration is quantifying the immediate impact of paint choices on indoor environments. Measurements consistently show that spaces painted with Dulux’s 99.9% VOC-free emulsions maintain ‘Good’ air quality during application and drying, whereas conventional solvent-based paints exhibit more fluctuating and often poorer readings. For urban planners and homebuilders, these data provide tangible evidence of how material selection can enhance indoor environmental quality without sacrificing aesthetics or performance.
Dulux has been systematically replacing solvent-based paints with advanced water-based technologies across its product lines, including quick-dry finishes for wood and metal, which combine lower VOC content with faster drying times. Industry analysts suggest that such developments reflect a broader trend in construction and design: targeting emissions at the source rather than relying solely on post-construction air treatment. The initiative also underscores the intersection of product innovation, occupant health, and climate-conscious building practices. From an urban development perspective, this partnership has wider implications. As cities densify and more people spend extended periods indoors, ensuring the air quality of residential and commercial buildings becomes a social and economic priority. Corporate sustainability officials and environmental designers indicate that solutions integrating low-emission materials, alongside monitoring tools, can help meet regulatory compliance, enhance occupant wellbeing, and support long-term asset value.
The collaboration between Dulux and Nooku exemplifies how traditional industries can adapt to evolving expectations for health, safety, and environmental responsibility in the built environment. By linking paint technology to measurable air quality outcomes, the initiative offers builders, designers, and homeowners practical pathways to healthier, more climate-resilient interiors.
Dulux Collaborates with Nooku on Low VOC Paints
Kajaria Tiles Continues Principal Role with RCB Women
