Browsing: Bhubaneswar

Large-scale real estate developments are not just about constructing buildings—they shape how cities grow, how people live, and how businesses operate for decades. As urban centres expand and evolve, developers are increasingly required to think beyond immediate project delivery and focus on long-term urban impact.

In a recent interaction, Adrija Agarwal, President of Sattva Group, shared insights on the responsibility that comes with leading large-scale real estate developments and the importance of designing spaces that can adapt to future needs.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is accelerating its expansion in India with a ₹7,000 crore investment in the National Capital Region (NCR) and plans to open 25 new small and medium format stores over the next four to five years. The company is also aiming to make its India operations profitable by the end of FY28 as it scales up its presence through an omnichannel retail strategy.

According to IKEA India CEO Patrik Antoni, the company will focus on expanding its store network, increasing revenue, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening local sourcing to reach profitability.

The global steel industry is facing fresh pressure as the escalating Middle East conflict pushes crude oil prices to $90 per barrel and drives a sharp rise in global freight rates. According to BigMint Research, increasing military tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel are triggering higher energy and logistics costs, which are directly impacting steel production costs worldwide, including in India.

India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades, reflecting the country’s economic expansion and rising mobility needs. With a population of over 1.4 billion, the nation depends heavily on robust transportation infrastructure to connect cities, industries and international markets.

Airports today function far beyond their traditional role as transit points. They have evolved into large infrastructure ecosystems that support tourism, trade, logistics and regional economic growth.

The upgraded Kalyani Expressway is reshaping travel across northern Kolkata, offering a faster signal-free corridor that significantly improves connectivity between the city’s suburbs and Kalyani.

Infrastructure projects often redefine how cities grow and connect. The newly upgraded expressway is one such development that is transforming mobility across the northern stretches of Kolkata and its surrounding suburban towns.

Stretching nearly 40 kilometres, the expressway now functions as a high-speed route linking Kolkata with Kalyani. Running parallel to National Highway 34, the corridor provides a faster alternative for commuters who previously had to travel through heavily congested urban routes passing towns such as Barrackpore, Sodepur, and Naihati.

For much of the twentieth century, workplace design followed a simple formula—rows of desks, structured layouts and strict hierarchies aimed at maximising efficiency. Offices were built to support operations, often without considering the deeper needs of the people working inside them.

According to architect Fancy George, Founder of Unalome by Fancy George and Co-Founder of WiRENet World, that traditional model is rapidly evolving. After more than three decades of experience across architecture, corporate real estate and workplace strategy, George believes modern offices must now prioritise human experience, wellbeing and collaboration.

India strengthens its position in global real estate investment as Asia-Pacific markets continue attracting institutional capital despite a temporary slowdown in transaction volumes.

Real estate investment activity across nine key Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets reached USD 71.9 billion during the first half of 2025, reflecting a 6% year-on-year decline, according to the Investment Insights H1 2025 report released by Colliers in September.

Purchasing property involves several financial components beyond the property’s purchase price. One of the most crucial elements in any real estate transaction is the payment of stamp duty and registration charges, which legally validate the transfer of property ownership.

In Bhopal, these charges are administered by the Registration and Stamps Department of Madhya Pradesh. Whether the property is a residential flat, independent house, plot of land, or commercial unit, buyers must pay stamp duty and complete the registration process for the transaction to be legally recognised.

India’s construction industry plays a central role in shaping the nation’s urban growth. From highways and housing projects to commercial developments, new structures continue to transform the skylines of rapidly expanding cities. Yet the sector also carries a significant environmental footprint, making it one of the most resource-intensive industries globally.

For Sangeetha Menon, Founder and Managing Director of Structural Integrated Panels Pvt. Ltd., this challenge became the starting point of an entrepreneurial journey focused on sustainable construction technology and environmentally responsible building materials.

India is entering a decisive phase of urban expansion. Millions of people move to cities every year seeking jobs, education and better living standards. The key question facing policymakers is not whether Indian cities will expand, but how sustainably and efficiently they will grow.

The newly announced Urban Challenge Fund could play a pivotal role in shaping that future by changing the way urban infrastructure is financed and managed across the country.