To protect homebuyers and reduce project delays, the State Real Estate Regulatory Authority has introduced a new requirement for developers seeking project registration extensions beyond one year. Under the updated rule, developers must deposit an additional 20% of the amount collected from homebuyers into the designated project account when applying for such extensions.

The directive, issued under Section 7(3) of the Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA), 2016, empowers the authority to impose additional conditions in the interest of homebuyers rather than cancelling project registrations. Officials stated that this measure is intended to ensure that funds collected from buyers remain available for construction activities and are not diverted elsewhere.

According to the authority, many delays occur because project escrow accounts—which currently require 70% of buyer collections to be deposited—often lack sufficient funds. With the new guideline, any project seeking an extension of more than one year must ensure an additional 20% of buyer payments is placed in the project account.

However, smaller and mid-sized developers have expressed concerns. They argue that initial construction is often funded through their own capital, as bookings typically increase only after visible progress on site. They caution that the requirement to deposit an additional amount—especially when initial buyer collections are limited—could strain their cash flow. Some also suggested that exemptions should be considered for delays caused by unavoidable circumstances such as heavy rains or floods.

A leading real estate investment trust (REIT) reported a 13% year-on-year increase in net operating income (NOI), reaching ?4,986 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025.

During the quarter, the REIT achieved gross leasing of 651,000 sq ft, with an average re-leasing spread of 22%. Committed occupancy rose to 89%, reflecting a 9% improvement over the past 18 months following recent regulatory reforms. Over this period, the portfolio recorded 4.6 million sq ft of cumulative gross leasing.

Income from operating lease rentals grew 9% year-on-year to ?4,583 million. The trust also declared a distribution of ?5.25 per unit, amounting to ?3,190 million, marking a 17% year-on-year increase.

According to the management, occupancy is expected to exceed 95%, supporting targeted growth of 13% in NOI and 22% in distributions for the upcoming quarter. The proposed fundraise is intended to strengthen the trust’s ability to pursue larger expansion opportunities.

The board approved a ?1,000 crore preferential issue to a diversified group of investors to support future growth plans. This follows the ?3,500 crore capital raise completed in December 2024.

The REIT is also exploring potential acquisitions of grade-A commercial properties in major southern cities. Backed by a strong credit rating and 88% repo-linked borrowings, the trust expects additional benefits from a softer interest rate environment. It has already seen a 35 bps reduction in borrowing costs and anticipates a further 55 bps transmission in Q2 FY26.

Around 20,000 houses along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, and the city's southern outskirts will receive piped natural gas (PNG) within the next 18 months, said M Thirukumaran N T, regional head (Kanchipuram) of THINK Gas, which holds licences for Kanchipuram. The company currently has 5,500 active domestic connections, nearly 60% of them concentrated in Sholinganallur, Thiruporur, Thalambur, and Thaiyur along OMR. We have created adequate infrastructure across OMR, parts of GST Road beyond Tambaram, and southern suburbs. Expansion work is ongoing," he said, adding that pipeline networks have been looped with multiple supply sources to ensure uninterrupted service even if one line is disrupted. While infrastructure is in place, the company is facing challenges in driving demand. In many shared living spaces, especially bachelor accommodations, residents don't seek gas connections as they depend on food apps or office canteens. We have identified potential high-rises like Hiranandani (Siruseri) where work could begin soon," he said. The process of getting a PNG connection has been simplified. Pipelines with valves are already laid along main roads and can be extended to individual homes. For high-rises, gas risers up to 28 metres are provided. Pipeline expansion is hampered by strict work-hour limits, allowing activity only between 11pm and 5am, with effective hours reduced to five due to setup and clearance. Approvals are slow, taking two months from highways and another month from traffic police, while 45-day permits lapse during processing. Gas firms have asked TIDCO to implement single-window clearances to cut timelines to five-seven working days.
 

Shares of a leading workspace solutions provider fell nearly 15% on its trading debut, as broader markets remained muted ahead of an upcoming U.S. tariff deadline. The listing valued the firm at approximately ?44.13 billion.

This debut is among several public offerings launched this month, but only the second to list at a discount. The company’s ?80.3 million public issue was subscribed 12.4 times, attracting strong interest from both retail and institutional investors.

The stock opened at a 9% discount to its issue price of ?237 on the Mumbai exchange and was trading 11.3% lower at ?210.15 by 11:30 a.m. IST.

Indian equity benchmarks were flat due to investor caution ahead of a major U.S. Federal Reserve policy decision and an important tariff deadline later in the week.

Analysts noted that while the company is well-positioned to benefit from rising demand for office space in India, its heavy dependence on a few major cities—responsible for nearly 89% of its revenue—makes it more vulnerable to region-specific slowdowns.

Increasing competition from other players in the flexible workspace and office solutions sector may also impact pricing power, they added.

Earlier in July, another workspace operator had listed at a 14% premium, supported by strong demand for integrated office solutions. However, its shares have since slipped about 6%.

An investment vehicle backed by a major Middle Eastern sovereign wealth entity is in advanced discussions to acquire a minority stake in a leading Indian affordable housing finance firm, according to people familiar with the matter. The stake purchase is expected to involve a $200–225 million transaction (?1,750–2,000 crore) through a secondary sale of shares, equivalent to 10–12% equity in the lender, which went public in 2024. A formal announcement is anticipated soon.

The current shareholder declined to comment on the prospective buyer, while representatives of the investment entity did not respond to queries.

The housing finance company’s stock closed at ?496.90, giving it a market capitalization of ?21,469.03 crore. Over the past month, the stock has risen 12.11%, driven by expectations of the deal, and is up 18.63% year-to-date supported by strong financial performance. The lender recently reported a 19% year-on-year rise in net profit to ?237 crore for the quarter ended June.

Industry forecasts suggest a 17–18% compound annual growth rate over the next five years. The company’s current management and board are expected to remain unchanged following the transaction.

Under its existing ownership, the company’s assets under management have expanded significantly, reaching $3 billion, placing it well ahead of several competitors in the affordable housing finance segment.

The Middle Eastern region, known for multiple sovereign investment vehicles, has been actively deploying capital across diversified sectors as it positions itself as a global financial hub. In recent years, newly established investment platforms from the region have executed numerous transactions across industries and developed large-scale funds focused on climate, technology, and infrastructure, with substantial capital commitments from regional entities.

A leading real estate investment trust (REIT) has received approval from the market regulator to launch its public offering aimed at raising ?4,800 crore.

The trust had previously raised ?1,400 crore from investors last month ahead of its maiden REIT listing. In early March, it filed the draft prospectus with the regulator to proceed with the initial public offering and list the units on the stock exchanges.

The move is part of a broader strategy to monetise a portfolio of 30 premium office assets located across major Indian cities. According to sources, regulatory approval has been granted, and the public issue is expected to open in the first week of August.

The REIT plans to raise ?4,800 crore through the public issue, in addition to the amount already secured from investors. A spokesperson associated with the promoters declined to comment.

Investor outreach activities are scheduled to begin this week, with the price band expected to be announced on August 30.

Upon listing, the trust is set to become India’s largest REIT by gross asset value, estimated at around ?62,000 crore.

The sponsors of the trust have adopted a brand-neutral strategy to facilitate inorganic growth through third-party acquisitions. Collectively, REITs in the country have distributed more than ?21,000 crore to unitholders since their introduction. 

A housing finance provider reported a slight decline in net profit, posting ?62 crore for the April–June 2025 quarter, compared to ?66 crore in the same period last year.

Disbursements during the quarter increased to ?1,488 crore, up from ?1,353 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

The institution also recorded growth in its assets under management (AUM), which rose to ?18,027 crore as of June 30, 2025, compared to ?14,533 crore a year earlier.

During the June quarter, the lender expanded its footprint in central India by opening two new branches.

The entity operates as a fully owned subsidiary of a larger non-banking financial group and offers home loans, plot loans, and loans against property, with a network of over 150 branches nationwide.

A housing finance provider reported an 18.56% rise in its net consolidated profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Profit after tax stood at ?237.28 crore in Q1 FY26, compared to ?200.14 crore recorded in the same quarter of the previous financial year, according to a regulatory filing.

The organisation’s net consolidated total income increased to ?851.34 crore in Q1 FY26, reflecting a 19.38% growth from ?713.15 crore reported in the corresponding period last year.

According to the company’s top executive, the first quarter of FY26 concluded on a strong note with assets under management (AUM) reaching ?26,524 crore, registering a year-on-year growth of 22%. Disbursements remained robust at ?1,979 crore, up 32% year-on-year, driven by steady demand in the affordable housing segment. Profit after tax for the quarter was reported at ?237 crore, marking a 19% annual increase.

AUM grew by 22% to ?26,524 crore as of June 30, 2025, compared to ?21,726 crore a year earlier, while the total number of loan accounts surpassed 3,06,000.

As of June 30, 2025, the company’s net worth stood at ?6,616 crore, return on assets (ROA) was 4%, and gross non-performing assets (NPA) were at 1.34%.

Greater Chennai Corporation removed 2 lakh tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in the past six months across all 15 city zones. The clean-up, which began on Jan 7, was initially carried out in seven zones but later expanded to all zones after a legal dispute was resolved. The effort, supported by Premier Precision Surface, now involves 168 vehicles, including earthmovers, tipper lorries, and compact trucks. On an average, about 1,000 tonnes of waste is cleared every day. Officials said the waste is sent to recycling centres at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi, where it is sorted and reused as paver blocks for pedestrian plaza construction on Khader Nawaz Khan Road at Nungambakkam and MC Road in Royapuram. GCC also developed an app to help identify waste locations, seek approval, and upload photos after removal. New guidelines for the disposal of C&D waste came into effect on April 21. Residents are urged to follow these norms, and awareness campaigns  and training sessions have been conducted. Fines totalling 39.3 lakh were collected from violators since Jan. This operation helped clear debris from roads, residential areas, and commercial zones, preventing accidents and improving hygiene. Details of the guidelines are available on the GCC website and helpline 1913. The top contributors to waste removal include Teynampet (20,589.15 tonnes), Adyar (20,199.21 tonnes), and Anna Nagar (18,114.32 tonnes). 
 

A leading housing finance institution reported a 20.86% increase in its net consolidated profit for the first quarter of the 2025–26 financial year. Profit after tax stood at ?583.30 crore in Q1 FY26, compared to ?482.61 crore in the same quarter of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing.

The institution’s net consolidated total income rose to ?2,618.45 crore in Q1 FY26, marking an 18.55% growth from ?2,208.73 crore recorded in the corresponding period last year.

As of June 30, 2025, the entity’s net worth was ?20,508.37 crore. Key financial indicators included a debt-equity ratio of 4.31, total debts-to-total assets ratio of 0.81, gross non-performing assets (NPA) at 0.30%, net NPA at 0.13%, capital-to-risk-weighted assets ratio at 26.94%, and a liquidity coverage ratio of 210.57%.

Assets under management (AUM) grew by 24% to ?1,20,420 crore as of June 30, 2025, up from ?97,071 crore as of June 30, 2024.

Loan losses and provisions were recorded at ?41 crore for Q1 FY26, compared to ?10 crore in Q1 FY25. The provisioning coverage ratio on Stage 3 assets stood at 56%.

A major cement manufacturer reported nearly a three-fold increase in its consolidated net profit, reaching ?395 crore for the June quarter, supported by improved sales realisation and reduced expenses. In the same period last year, the profit stood at ?145 crore, according to a regulatory filing.

Revenue from operations remained largely unchanged at ?3,636 crore in the June quarter, compared to ?3,621 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Sales volume rose by 5.8% to 7.4 million tonnes during the quarter.

According to the company’s Managing Director and CEO, the beginning of the year marked a recovery in cement realisations across key markets, which contributed to strong EBITDA performance. The EBITDA margin improved to 24.3%, an increase of 5.8 percentage points from the previous year.

EBITDA for the quarter stood at ?883 crore, reflecting a 32% year-on-year increase.

The Chief Financial Officer stated that supported by a strong balance sheet, disciplined capital allocation, and a healthy profitability outlook, the company is steadily progressing toward its goal of becoming a pan-India player.

Total expenses declined by 5.4% to ?3,183 crore in the quarter under review. Total income, including other income, reached ?3,685 crore.

With an installed production capacity of 49.5 million tonnes per annum, the company ranks among the largest cement manufacturers in the country.

On Tuesday, its shares closed 2.46% higher at ?2,319.15 on the stock exchange.

A housing finance institution reported a 23% rise in net profit to ?534 crore for the first quarter ended June 2025. In the same quarter last year, the organisation had posted a net profit of ?433 crore.

Total income for the quarter increased to ?2,082 crore, up from ?1,832 crore reported during the corresponding period of the previous financial year, according to a regulatory filing.

Interest income rose to ?1,980 crore from ?1,739 crore recorded a year earlier. Net interest income grew 17% to ?760 crore at the end of Q1 FY25 compared to ?651 crore in the year-ago period.

The net interest margin improved to 3.75%, slightly higher than 3.65% reported in the first quarter of the previous year.

Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) declined to 1.06%, compared with 1.3% at the end of June 2024.

The capital adequacy ratio stood at 29.68% as of June 30, 2025, with Tier I capital at 28.96% and Tier II at 0.72%. This compares to a ratio of 29.50% a year earlier, with Tier I capital at 28.43% and Tier II at 0.72%.