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May 09: For a city that never sleeps, breathing easy is increasingly becoming a luxury. With air quality levels in Mumbai witnessing periodic spikes and concerns around long-term health risks growing, a new trend is quietly reshaping the residential real estate landscape; homebuyers are willing to trade a longer commute for cleaner air, open spaces, and a better quality of life.

What’s driving this shift is a simple yet powerful proposition: within 60 minutes from Mumbai, one can access locations that offer significantly better air quality, lower population density, and a closer connection to nature. As a result, peripheral micro-markets such as Karjat, Neral, Panvel, and Khopoli are emerging as strong contenders for both end-users and investors.

These locations, once considered weekend getaway destinations, are now evolving into viable residential and second-home hubs. Improved infrastructure, including enhanced road connectivity, upcoming rail upgrades, and transformative projects like the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), have drastically reduced travel time, making these areas more accessible than ever before.

Developers are also aligning with this demand shift, offering projects that emphasize wellness-centric living—larger homes, green landscapes, better ventilation, and amenities that cater to a healthier lifestyle. The pandemic has further accelerated this mindset change, pushing homebuyers to prioritize well-being over proximity to business districts.

Commenting on the trend, Ms. Unnati Varma, Director, ORA Land (by ORA Group), said,

“Today’s homebuyer is far more conscious about the quality of life than ever before. Peripheral locations within 60-minutes radius of Mumbai are gaining traction not just for end-use but also as smart investment opportunities, given their high appreciation potential. At ORA Land, we are seeing a strong demand for plotted developments and second homes in Karjat and surrounding regions, especially from Mumbai-based buyers looking for a quick escape from urban pollution.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Ram Naik, Co-founder & CEO, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory noted,

“The definition of real estate value is gradually evolving. While proximity to workplaces was traditionally the primary consideration, homebuyers today are placing increasing importance on health, wellness, and overall quality of life. Clean air, lower-density living, and access to open spaces are becoming important decision-making factors, particularly among families and hybrid-working professionals. As infrastructure connectivity improves, locations such as Karjat, Panvel, and Neral are emerging as viable residential alternatives that offer a healthier and more balanced living environment. What began as a second-home trend is now gradually evolving into a more mainstream residential choice for many buyers.

Adding a regional perspective, Mr. Gautam Thacker, Founder President & Chairman, NAREDCO Raigad said,

“Raigad district is fast emerging as a preferred real estate destination due to its natural advantages and rapidly improving infrastructure. Locations such as Karjat, Neral, Panvel and surroundings benefit from excellent connectivity through major highways, railway networks and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to significantly boost accessibility and regional growth. Additionally, the presence of natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, and dams across the region enhances the quality of life and makes these destinations highly attractive for homebuyers seeking a healthier and more sustainable living environment. With cleaner air, scenic surroundings, and strong future growth potential, these markets are witnessing rising buyer interest as well as increased developer activity.”

The rising inclination toward these greener pastures is also supported by a growing awareness around environmental sustainability and lifestyle upgrades. For many, owning a home in these locations is no longer just a luxury, it’s a necessity driven by health considerations.

As Mumbai continues to grapple with urban challenges, the idea of “60 minutes to fresh air” is no longer aspirational, it’s actionable. And for a growing segment of homebuyers, the road to better living quite literally begins just beyond the city’s edge.

May 9 (BNP): A SEBI analyst has said that financial markets have already taken into account expectations of weaker GDP growth and rising inflation following recent shocks in global oil prices.

According to the analyst, investors have been gradually pricing in the impact of higher crude oil costs, which are likely to put upward pressure on inflation and weigh on economic growth. As a result, much of the expected downside has already been reflected in current market levels.

Despite concerns over global uncertainty and energy price volatility, markets have shown a degree of stability, suggesting that participants are not being caught off guard by these macroeconomic risks.

Overall, the commentary indicates that while inflationary pressures and slower growth remain key concerns, they are largely anticipated by investors rather than emerging as fresh surprises.

May 9 (BNP): India has called for the early resolution of implementation-related issues in its trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) to ensure that businesses on both sides can fully benefit from the pact, according to an official statement.

The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into effect in October 2025, was a key focus during Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal’s recent visit to Switzerland on May 6–7. The visit aimed at strengthening trade and investment cooperation and improving the on-ground implementation of the agreement.

During discussions, India emphasised the need to address operational and regulatory challenges at an early stage so that the market access opportunities under TEPA can be effectively utilised by exporters, investors, and industry stakeholders from both regions.

Officials noted that the agreement is already showing encouraging early results. Within 200 days of its implementation, new Indian product categories have entered the Swiss market, services trade has expanded, and investor interest between India and EFTA countries has strengthened.

India reiterated that smoother implementation and timely resolution of outstanding issues will be crucial in maximising the benefits of TEPA and deepening long-term economic engagement with the EFTA bloc, which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

New Delhi, May 9 (BNP): India’s newly introduced Income Tax Act 2025 is being positioned as one of the country’s most significant tax simplification reforms in recent years, with the government focusing on making tax filing easier, clearer, and more accessible for ordinary citizens.

Speaking at a taxpayer awareness programme in Mumbai, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (IT & TP) Nirupama Kotru said the new law, along with the upcoming Income Tax Rules 2026, has been designed to reduce complexity in the tax system and encourage greater voluntary compliance.

According to Kotru, the reforms aim to help individuals understand and file their taxes independently without relying heavily on chartered accountants or tax professionals for basic returns. She noted that many citizens still perceive tax filing as overly technical and difficult, often discouraging them from entering the formal tax system altogether.

To address these challenges, the government has introduced several taxpayer-friendly measures under the new framework. These include simplified language in the legislation, fewer sections and technical provisions, multilingual informational brochures, and digital support tools such as the “Aaykar Sathi” chatbot. Dedicated guidance resources have also been made available through the Income Tax Department’s online platforms to assist taxpayers in resolving queries more easily from home.

Kotru clarified that while the structure and presentation of the law have been simplified, there has been no major shift in India’s overall tax policy. She stated that India continues to maintain one of the more taxpayer-friendly tax regimes globally, supported by relatively low tax rates and progressive reforms introduced over the years.

The new Income Tax Act is particularly important because it seeks to remove long-standing barriers that have prevented many individuals from participating in the formal tax ecosystem. Complex terminology, difficult procedures, and confusion around different sources of income have historically made tax compliance intimidating for first-time or small taxpayers. In many cases, even honest taxpayers struggled with filing errors due to lack of clarity.

Officials believe the simplified format of the new law will improve public understanding of tax obligations, reduce unintentional mistakes, and build greater confidence among taxpayers. By making compliance easier, the government hopes to gradually widen India’s relatively narrow taxpayer base and strengthen overall revenue participation.

The reform also reflects the government’s broader push toward digital governance and citizen-centric public services. Tools such as AI-enabled chat support and simplified online guidance are expected to make the filing process more transparent, efficient, and accessible, especially for salaried individuals, small business owners, and first-time filers.

With the upcoming filing season expected to be governed by the new framework, tax authorities will closely monitor how effectively the simplified system improves compliance and encourages more citizens to file returns independently.

New Delhi, May 9 (BNP): India’s ornamental fisheries sector is witnessing rapid growth, supported by increasing global demand, rich aquatic biodiversity, and focused government initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). With ornamental fish exports estimated at nearly ₹41 crore, the sector is steadily emerging as a promising contributor to rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and India’s fisheries economy.

As part of efforts to strengthen the sector, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India, visited the Ornamental Fisheries Brood Bank at Mangrul village in Raigad district, Maharashtra. The facility was established by Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale under the PMMSY scheme and has become a notable example of innovation and sustainable growth in ornamental aquaculture.

During the visit, the Union Secretary interacted with PMMSY beneficiaries and local stakeholders to understand on-ground challenges, identify operational gaps, and assess opportunities for further strengthening the sector. The interaction highlighted the growing role of small entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises in transforming ornamental fisheries into a sustainable livelihood model.

The Raigad-based brood bank is regarded as one of the first initiatives of its kind in India and currently conserves and breeds more than 25 varieties of ornamental fish. Through her brand “Sam Discus,” Mrs. Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale has successfully established a strong presence in the domestic ornamental fish market, particularly in premium discus fish production.

The facility has produced nearly 7.7 lakh ornamental fish across 20 species, generating an estimated revenue of ₹1.93 crore while creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 25–30 people. Equipped with more than 700 tanks, the brood bank also serves as a centre for skill development, best-practice training, and entrepreneurship promotion in ornamental aquaculture.

The unit exports ornamental fish to several international markets, including the United States, Italy, France, Mauritius, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Israel, showcasing India’s growing global footprint in the ornamental fisheries trade. The brood bank is also covered under government support schemes such as the Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) and the National Fisheries Development Programme (NFDP), ensuring regulatory compliance and institutional backing.

India possesses immense potential in ornamental fisheries, with nearly 700 indigenous freshwater species and over 300 marine ornamental species available domestically. Leveraging this biodiversity, the government has significantly expanded infrastructure support under PMMSY. So far, 1,986 backyard ornamental fish rearing units, 6,018 fish kiosks and aquariums, and 117 retail markets — including dedicated ornamental fish and aquarium markets — have been supported across the country.

In addition, five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 199 integrated ornamental fish units have been established to strengthen breeding, production, marketing, and value-chain development. The Department of Fisheries has also identified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters nationwide, including a dedicated ornamental fisheries cluster in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Maharashtra continues to play a vital role in India’s fisheries sector due to its strong marine and inland fishery resources. The state has a coastline of nearly 878 km, 173 fish landing centres, and 526 fishing villages, supporting over 15 lakh fisherfolk. Fish production in Maharashtra reached approximately 5.9 lakh tonnes during 2022–23. Inland fisheries resources in the state span reservoirs, rivers, ponds, and brackish water areas, offering substantial scope for aquaculture expansion.

Officials noted that initiatives such as PMMSY and the Blue Revolution scheme have helped improve hatcheries, aquaculture infrastructure, cage farming, and fisher welfare in the state. However, continued investment, technology adoption, and stronger market linkages will be essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.

The visit by the Union Secretary is expected to further strengthen the ornamental fisheries ecosystem by encouraging stakeholder participation, enabling policy-level interventions, and promoting sustainable growth and export opportunities in the sector.