Lodha Records 640 Crore Mumbai Region Housing Sale
Select Group Acquires Prime Westend Colony Home South Delhi Rs 12500 Crore
The Delhi-based Select Group has completed a high-profile acquisition of a residential property in Westend Colony, South Delhi, for Rs 12.5 billion, highlighting the sustained interest of large real estate firms in premium central-city assets. Registered under Select World Tours India Private Limited on 14 October 2025, the 668.9-square-metre property reflects the enduring appeal of low-density, high-security neighbourhoods in the national capital.
Westend Colony, renowned for its proximity to the Diplomatic Enclave and Chanakyapuri, continues to attract high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives, with land and bungalow transactions remaining rare. Industry observers note that such acquisitions reinforce the strategic value of prime plots where limited supply continues to underpin property valuations. Select Group, a prominent player in hospitality and retail led by chairman Arjun Sharma, has a strong presence in Delhi-NCR through assets such as Select CityWalk Mall, developed in partnership with Blackstone and structured as India’s first mall REIT. Analysts suggest the Westend Colony purchase complements the group’s broader portfolio strategy, enabling diversification into luxury residential holdings while maintaining exposure to high-value urban assets.
Financial data indicate the buyer paid stamp duty of Rs 0.875 billion for the transaction, further underlining the scale of investment involved. According to real estate experts, marquee acquisitions of this nature signal investor confidence in stable, well-located properties despite broader market fluctuations and peripheral housing supply growth. The transaction aligns with Select Group’s track record of strategic investments across hospitality, retail, and premium real estate. “Investing in elite central Delhi neighbourhoods ensures long-term capital appreciation and portfolio resilience,” an industry official observed. Westend Colony’s low-density layout, stringent security, and proximity to key institutional hubs continue to support high demand for premium residences.
This acquisition forms part of a larger trend of high-value residential deals in South and Lutyens’ Delhi. Recent notable transactions include Mumbai-based Gentex Merchants’ Rs 31 billion purchase on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, and ChrysCapital partners’ Rs 15.5 billion deal in Golf Links. Analysts emphasise that such transactions indicate enduring confidence in limited-supply prime residential zones, even amid broader real estate market cycles. The Select Group deal underscores the strategic importance of central Delhi’s elite residential clusters in wealth and asset management strategies, while also reflecting the broader stability and appeal of well-planned, high-security urban neighbourhoods. For the city, these investments sustain market dynamism and reinforce the value of centrally located land assets that are difficult to replicate in newer peripheral developments.
Select Group Acquires Prime Westend Colony Home South Delhi Rs 12500 Crore
Embassy REIT Sells 376000 Sq Ft Offices At Manyata Bengaluru For 5300 Crore
Embassy REIT has completed the sale of approximately 376,000 square feet across two strata-owned office blocks at Embassy Manyata Business Park in Bengaluru for Rs 5.3 billion. The assets were acquired by EAAA Alternatives’ first commercial real estate fund, Rental Yield Plus, marking a significant transaction in India’s institutional office market. An official noted that the divestment aligns with the REIT’s capital recycling strategy and supports portfolio optimisation.
The transaction reflects the growing interest of alternative investment funds in India’s commercial real estate, particularly in well-located, sustainable office parks. EAAA Alternatives, a domestic asset manager with over Rs 650 billion under management, has been actively investing in infrastructure, energy, and commercial real estate, alongside providing private credit solutions to large corporates. Its commercial real estate platform alone manages assets exceeding Rs 220 billion. Embassy REIT’s expansive portfolio spans 50.08 million square feet across 10 infrastructure-style office parks and four city-centre buildings in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, the National Capital Region, and Chennai. Since its listing in April 2019, the REIT has distributed over Rs 132 billion to unitholders and grown its investor base nearly 29-fold to over 110,000 stakeholders. A senior analyst highlighted that such strategic sales help maintain financial flexibility and strengthen long-term investor returns.
Embassy Manyata Business Park itself covers 122 acres and offers around 16 million square feet of leasable space. The campus houses more than 60 tenants and accommodates over 100,000 employees, underlining its status as a major employment and commercial hub in Bengaluru. Industry experts noted that transactions of this scale signal continued investor confidence in prime institutional-grade office assets and the resilience of the city’s commercial property market. The divestment supports Embassy REIT’s broader sustainability and efficiency goals. By selectively recycling capital from mature assets, the REIT can reinvest in newer, environmentally efficient properties, aligning with the growing focus on zero-carbon, sustainable, and inclusive urban workplaces. Analysts suggest that such strategies reinforce the link between financial returns and long-term environmental and social impact in India’s urban centres.
Overall, the sale underscores the evolving dynamics of Bengaluru’s office market, where institutional-grade assets are increasingly attracting domestic and global investors, and REITs are leveraging capital recycling to enhance portfolio efficiency while supporting sustainable urban development.
Embassy REIT Sells 376000 Sq Ft Offices At Manyata Bengaluru For 5300 Crore
Adani Achieves Rs 800 Billion Growth Through Strategic Deals Since 2023
The Adani Group has executed 33 strategic acquisitions valued at approximately Rs 800 billion since January 2023, signalling sustained capital access and disciplined expansion across its core businesses, according to market sources. These moves, spanning ports, cement, power, and emerging sectors, reflect the conglomerate’s ongoing focus on strengthening operational scale while rebuilding investor confidence following past market disruptions.
Ports accounted for the largest share, with acquisitions worth around Rs 281 billion, followed by cement at Rs 247 billion and power at Rs 123 billion. Transmission, distribution, and new ventures collectively contributed the remainder, while several deals, including the pending Rs 135 billion Jaypee Group acquisition, are yet to close. An official noted that the acquisitions are carefully calibrated to preserve cash flows and enhance strategic positioning. “We are focusing on high-density, revenue-generating sectors while ensuring our balance sheet remains robust and sustainable,” they added. Analysts highlight that measured debt management and selective investments have enabled the group to restore lender confidence, with net debt-to-EBITDA improving to approximately 3x.
Cement acquisitions were particularly active, encompassing high-value transactions such as Penna Cement Industries at Rs 104 billion, Orient Cement at Rs 81 billion, and Ambuja Cements’ stake in Sanghi Industries at Rs 50 billion. Port investments included Karaikal, Gopalpur, and Dar es Salaam ports, underscoring Adani’s expansion in both domestic and international logistics infrastructure. In the power sector, acquisitions such as Lanco Amarkantak, Vidarbha Industries, and Coastal Energen strengthened the group’s energy footprint. Industry experts note that these acquisitions not only bolster operational capacity but also contribute to more sustainable infrastructure networks. By consolidating critical logistics, power, and construction assets, the conglomerate can improve energy efficiency, optimise freight and supply chains, and support India’s broader net-zero and sustainable urban development objectives.
Looking forward, Adani has outlined a capital expenditure plan of around Rs 10 trillion over the next five years. The strategy blends greenfield and brownfield expansion with selective acquisitions across infrastructure, energy, and logistics, aiming to align growth with national development priorities while ensuring financial prudence. This pattern of disciplined, high-value acquisitions positions the Adani Group to maintain strategic momentum across India’s infrastructure ecosystem, supporting long-term operational stability, regional connectivity, and sustainable growth.
Adani Achieves Rs 800 Billion Growth Through Strategic Deals Since 2023
MoHUA Records Major Progress Across Metro Housing Sanitation And Water Infrastructure
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) marked 2025 with substantial progress across urban infrastructure, highlighting India’s push towards sustainable, inclusive, and equitable cities. Key developments spanned metro expansion, electric mobility, sanitation, water and sewerage systems, and affordable housing, reinforcing integrated urban development aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
India’s metro network crossed the 1,000-kilometre threshold, reaching 1,090 km across 26 cities. During the year, metro projects covering 84.57 km were sanctioned at an investment of Rs 259.32 billion, while approximately 85.62 km of new lines became operational. Priority corridors in Bhopal, Indore, and Bengaluru were inaugurated, providing significant mobility enhancements. “Expanded metro coverage has directly improved daily commuting efficiency and urban accessibility for millions,” an urban transport official said. Complementing rail-based urban mobility, the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme was launched, marking a strategic shift to sustainable, zero-emission public transport. The initiative sanctioned 3,622 electric buses and allocated Rs 607 million for supporting infrastructure, including depots and charging networks. Urban planners emphasised that e-bus deployment not only reduces carbon emissions but also strengthens resilience of public transport networks in India’s rapidly growing cities.
Sanitation and environmental stewardship remained central to MoHUA’s 2025 agenda. Over 18 crore citizens participated in Swachhata Hi Seva campaigns, while the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme was introduced to address legacy waste, aiming for zero dumpsites by 2026. Industry experts noted that accelerated waste remediation improves public health, reduces pollution, and contributes to circular economy objectives in urban areas. Housing and livelihoods also progressed. Under PMAY-Urban, more than 12.2 million affordable homes have been sanctioned, supporting low- and middle-income populations. Meanwhile, the PM SVANidhi scheme extended to March 2030 has provided over one crore microloans to 7 million street vendors, enhancing financial inclusion and fostering resilient local economies.
Water and sewerage infrastructure saw transformative growth under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, with 3.3 million tap connections and 2 million sewer connections established or upgraded. Treated water reuse initiatives are being scaled, ensuring sustainable resource management and reducing urban water stress. Collectively, MoHUA’s 2025 achievements reflect an integrated approach to urban development—linking mobility, sanitation, housing, and livelihoods. Officials emphasised that continued investment in infrastructure, digital systems, and sustainable technologies will be critical to realising long-term equity, climate resilience, and livable cities.
MoHUA Records Major Progress Across Metro Housing Sanitation And Water Infrastructure
Coal India Board Appoints B Sairam As Chief Executive Officer
The board of Coal India Limited (CIL), India’s largest coal producer, has appointed Chairman-cum-Managing Director B Sairam as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), consolidating top leadership as the miner aims to meet ambitious production targets. The dual role is expected to streamline decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen governance at the Maharatna public sector undertaking, which contributes over 80 per cent of the nation’s domestic coal output.
The appointment, approved during a board meeting on 26 December 2025, aligns with the government’s broader objective of ensuring agile management in strategic energy sector enterprises. Officials note that the move could accelerate the PSU’s capacity to achieve its production goal of 875 million tonnes in 2025–26 while navigating diversification into critical minerals and improving operational performance across subsidiaries. Prior to assuming leadership at CIL, Sairam served as CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a wholly owned CIL subsidiary, where he was instrumental in enhancing production output and overseeing major project execution. He also held the position of Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), focusing on coal logistics, first-mile connectivity projects, and securing environmental and forest clearances. Industry experts observe that Sairam’s experience across technical, operational, and regulatory domains positions him to tackle the challenges of large-scale coal production while balancing sustainability considerations.
“Leadership consolidation at CIL is expected to facilitate swifter operational decisions and stronger accountability across subsidiaries,” said a senior industry official. Analysts add that the appointment reflects an increasing trend among PSUs to unify strategic and operational leadership, particularly in sectors where rapid capacity expansion is critical to meeting national energy needs. Coal India is also pursuing modernisation of its logistics and transport infrastructure, digitalisation of operations, and diversification into minerals such as coking coal and critical raw materials. With sustainability and environmental compliance increasingly shaping the sector, streamlined leadership could support CIL’s transition to more responsible, efficient mining practices.
The dual appointment has sparked discussion on governance structures in public sector enterprises, especially where production targets are intertwined with national energy security. Experts suggest that while centralising leadership can improve decision-making, it also requires robust oversight mechanisms to maintain accountability and transparency. As CIL embarks on its next growth phase, Sairam’s role as both CMD and CEO underscores the company’s focus on operational excellence, strategic diversification, and alignment with national energy objectives. The appointment also signals the government’s intent to strengthen leadership in energy PSUs while emphasising sustainability, efficiency, and long-term resilience in India’s coal sector.
Coal India Board Appoints B Sairam As Chief Executive Officer
Maharashtra Clears Seven Of Fourteen National Waterways For Immediate Development Plans
The central government has cleared seven of Maharashtra’s 14 national waterways for development, a strategic step towards strengthening inland water transport (IWT) in the state. Spanning a combined navigable length of 662.97 km, these waterways are expected to support both cargo and passenger movement, reducing dependence on road and rail networks while fostering sustainable logistics solutions. The initiative aligns with India’s broader push for multimodal transport and low-carbon urban mobility.
The seven waterways earmarked for development include National Waterway (NW)-4 on the Godavari, NW-11 along the Arunavati–Aran rivers, NW-28 covering Dabhol Creek and the Vashishti River, NW-53 spanning the Kalyan–Thane–Mumbai corridor with Vasai Creek and the Ulhas River, NW-85 on Revadanda Creek and Kundalika River, NW-100 on the Tapi, and NW-109 covering the Wainganga–Pranahita system. Officials note that these corridors have significant potential for commercial navigation, linking industrial hubs and ports with hinterland markets. Maharashtra plays a pivotal role in the country’s inland water transport network. During 2024–25, waterways such as NW-10 (Amba River), NW-53, NW-83 (Rajpuri Creek), NW-85, NW-89 (Savitri–Bankot Creek), and NW-91 (Shastri–Jaigad Creek) collectively handled over 45 per cent of India’s total IWT cargo. “Development of these seven waterways will further integrate Maharashtra’s industrial and logistics ecosystems, providing cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to road transport,” an official from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) said.
To facilitate growth, IWAI is actively coordinating with cargo operators and state authorities to enhance infrastructure, navigability, and safety along these waterways. Industry experts suggest that such measures could reduce transportation costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage equitable economic development along river corridors. “Waterways offer untapped potential for regional trade and tourism while promoting environmentally friendly transport,” noted a logistics analyst. The development also underscores the importance of Centre–State collaboration. While IWAI regulates and develops waterways nationally, economic activity and industrial projects along riverbanks fall under state jurisdiction. Officials emphasise that coordinated planning is critical to unlocking the full benefits of IWT, ensuring that environmental sustainability, navigational safety, and community interests are balanced.
As Maharashtra progresses with these projects, inland waterways are expected to become a key component of its urban logistics and transport framework. By promoting cargo movement through rivers, the state aims to relieve pressure on congested highways, encourage low-carbon freight solutions, and support inclusive, long-term economic growth.
Maharashtra Clears Seven Of Fourteen National Waterways For Immediate Development Plans
Government To Launch SWAMIH2 Fund To Complete One Lakh Homes
The government is preparing to operationalise the SWAMIH-2 Fund, a strategic initiative aimed at completing nearly one lakh stalled housing units, offering much-needed relief to middle-income homebuyers. With the real estate sector still grappling with project delays and financing challenges, the new Rs 150 billion fund is expected to unlock last-mile funding for commercially viable but stalled residential developments across India.
The SWAMIH-2 Fund builds upon the success of the first SWAMIH Fund, launched in 2019, which provided priority debt financing to stressed housing projects and helped deliver over 55,000 dwelling units. Industry experts note that SWAMIH-2 will adopt a similar structure as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), with SBI Ventures acting as the investment manager and oversight by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. “The fund acts as a lender of last resort for developers facing financial stress, litigation challenges, or delayed projects,” said an industry analyst. “By providing structured financing, it mitigates project risk and instils confidence among homebuyers.” Preliminary estimates suggest that India still has thousands of stalled projects, with funding requirements running into hundreds of billions of rupees.
A key focus of SWAMIH-2 is to ensure timely project completion while promoting transparency and accountability. The government has already earmarked Rs 15 billion as seed capital, with operational guidelines in the final stages of approval. This funding is expected to accelerate delivery timelines and reduce uncertainty for buyers, particularly in mid-income and affordable housing segments where project delays have created significant financial and emotional strain. Real estate stakeholders see the fund as a critical mechanism for sustaining investor confidence and supporting the broader housing ecosystem. “SWAMIH-2 not only addresses stalled projects but also strengthens market credibility, benefiting developers, lenders, and end-users,” an official observed. By offering last-mile financing, the initiative can prevent distressed assets from further affecting the sector’s financial health.
As India pursues its ambitious urban development goals and housing-for-all targets, SWAMIH-2 is positioned to provide a scalable model for resolving project bottlenecks while ensuring equitable access to homes. The initiative reinforces the government’s role in creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable housing sector that aligns with urban sustainability priorities. The fund is expected to be operationalised shortly, potentially setting a benchmark for future interventions in affordable and mid-income housing. Once active, it will serve as a template for integrated financial support aimed at achieving completion, promoting transparency, and safeguarding homebuyer interests across the country.
Government To Launch SWAMIH2 Fund To Complete One Lakh HomesGovernment To Launch SWAMIH2 Fund To Complete One Lakh Homes
VOX Showcases Design Led Ceiling Innovation At FOAID Mumbai 2025 Event
Mumbai has emerged as a hub for design-driven architectural innovation as VOX, the European surface solutions brand, highlighted its ceiling systems at FOAID Mumbai 2025. Held on 19–20 December at the Jio World Convention Centre, the showcase reinforced the brand’s vision of ceilings as more than functional surfaces, positioning them as integral design elements that define spatial character and experience.
The event featured a curated installation developed in collaboration with leading architects, emphasising material intelligence, aesthetics, and context-sensitive design. “Our aim was to shift perceptions of ceilings from purely functional to expressive design surfaces that enhance both mood and identity within spaces,” an industry expert said. This approach aligns with global trends advocating architecture that integrates sustainability, inclusivity, and user-centred experience. A key highlight was the launch of the new FOAID category, ‘VOX Ceilings as a Design Statement’, encouraging architects to explore innovative applications across commercial, hospitality, residential, institutional, and healthcare projects. The initiative recognises projects that demonstrate conceptual clarity, material innovation, and future-ready design thinking. The winning entry received a prestigious award, underscoring VOX’s commitment to fostering creative excellence and thought leadership within the architectural community.
The exhibition also illustrated how advanced materials and design processes can contribute to sustainable urban environments. By exploring light-weight, durable, and environmentally conscious ceiling solutions, VOX highlighted strategies that reduce embodied carbon while enhancing interior aesthetics. “Designing ceilings that perform both functionally and sustainably supports net-zero ambitions and responsible building practices,” a senior urban planner said. Through its participation, VOX strengthened its position as a design-centric brand that bridges material innovation with architectural intent. The showcase demonstrated that ceilings—often overlooked in conventional design—can serve as the “fifth surface,” influencing spatial perception, acoustic performance, and occupant wellbeing. For Mumbai’s architects and designers, this initiative presents opportunities to integrate creativity, sustainability, and technological advancement in everyday projects.
As India’s urban landscape evolves, events like FOAID provide critical platforms for dialogue between designers, manufacturers, and urban stakeholders. VOX’s ceiling-focused approach exemplifies how design-led innovation can contribute to equitable, inclusive, and environmentally responsible urban interiors, while inspiring architects to reconsider overlooked elements of built spaces.
VOX Showcases Design Led Ceiling Innovation At FOAID Mumbai 2025 Event
Platinum Corp Appoints Seema Saini To Lead Sales And Corporate Affairs
