Track2Realty: India continued to feature in the list of World’s most expensive office markets, with New Delhi (Connaught Place – CBD) moving up from 9th position to 5th position (with an overall occupancy cost of US$ 183.30)according to CBRE Global Research and Consulting’s semi-annual Prime Office Occupancy Costs survey.
Track2Realty Exclusive: With most of the urban centres across the country having depleted buildings in prime localities, redevelopment is the only way forward. However, policy hurdles added with resistance by some vested interests causing developers’ reluctance comes in the way of an urban makeover. Track2Realty noted that the collective consciousness of the policy makers, developers and majority of residents is increasingly shaping up for redevelopment and that spells a new business opportunity for realtors across the country.
Track2Realty: Western suburbs of Mumbai are set for a facelift through redevelopment post the new Development Control Rule (DCR). Ravi Sinha speaks to Lalit Kumar Jain, CMD, Kumar Urban Development and CREDAI President to understand whether it would add more pressure on the existing crumbling infrastructure of the suburbs. Excerpts of the interview:
Track2Realty-Agencies: Land prices will escalate leading to rise in housing price if the Land Acquisition Bill is passed by Parliament, real estate developers and property consultants have said.
Track2Realty: Subdued economic growth on the domestic front and persistent concerns about the economic outlook in USA and Euro Zone moderated business confidence among office space occupiers in 2012. As a result, the major seven cities in India witnessed restrained office space take-up in 2012.
Track2Realty: The National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) has requested the government to extend the computation period for availing itself of income tax benefits by one more year. This period is going to end on March 31, 2013.
Track2Realty: DTZ has brokered the sale of US Consulate’s Washington House in Alta Mount Road in South Mumbai to Lodha Developers at the rate of approximately Rs. 140,000 per sq meter or USD 28,000 per sq meter.
Track2Realty-Agencies: A retired judge will head an inquiry to determine whether government officials were bribed to help retail giant Wal-Mart gain access to Indian markets.
Track2Realty: Tata Housing Development Company Limited, India’s fastest growing real estate Development Company today announced that it has raised Rs. 300 crore by issuing Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs). The issue was subscribed by IDFC and a top Mutual Fund. The issuance is for the maturity periods ranging from 3-5 years.
Track2Realty-Agencies: To provide cheaper houses for lower income groups, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) is working for the inclusion of affordable housing in the infrastructure list.