Track2Realty Exclusive: The fact that SEZ story in India was left on the private hands, the key policy plank of SEZ policy, to promote manufacturing and hence create jobs (both skilled and semi-skilled) for the rural masses took the back seat. IT/ITeS with limited scope of job creation, compared to manufacturing, started dominating the SEZs.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Some of the factors that vociferously call for apartment culture. New initiatives like the construction of a metro in cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, suburban railway in the areas like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata and Bus Rapid Transit System taken by the various state governments to improve the public transport systems in cities has raised the interest among people in the surrounding areas so as to save the commutation time.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Some of the developers maintain that it is more about the mindset change than technology in Indian real estate which needs to be handled.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Administrative Reforms
A. Single window clearance for building approval.
B. Uniform and simplified building permissible rules.
C. No discretionary stoppage of work after granting approval for commencement without hearing by regulator/civil court.
D. Mindset reform; special campaign for political leaders and bureaucrats to support/accelerate growth, remove impediments.
E. To put mandatory block mentioning following in every order/permission, Date of application, Potential investment, Potential contribution to GDP in rupees, Potential new employment generation, Date of sanction, Number of days delay beyond permissible limit, reasons.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A quest for brand new home is inherently ingrained in the psyche of Indians. However, that is fast changing, thanks to unmet commitment of developers in recent times, banks’ changed outlook and home buyers’ convenience in major cities. Track2Realty reads the pulse of home buyers to understand why resale apartment is no more a taboo and is rather preferred over the new launches and under-construction apartments.
Track2Realty Exclusive: What is the level of understanding and willingness among the Indian developers to create smart cities in a country which has been branded as a ‘reluctant urbaniser’ by many international experts?
Track2Realty Exclusive: Congested city roads, traffic jams, pollution and on the top of all, constantly growing demographic pattern has given rise to a new lifestyle in urban areas. People have started preferring small flats or apartments owing to various reasons in comparison with old traditional bungalows or mansions.
Track2Realty Exclusive: If Planning, Finance, Technology and Skills are the four key components of smart urban living, India lacks substantially on all the given parameters. While the world is increasingly moving ahead with real estate products adding smart quotient, in India the debate still hovers around unlocking land value & monetizing it after master plan of respective cities failed to adopt the successful global urban experiences. Track2Realty debates whether smart city ingredients should be optional reforms of real estate or made a mandatory provision.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Awards have often been the source of sulking within the business community. However, when it comes to real estate, one has got absolutely no reasons to sulk as awards are not just rigged but customised for the companies at a cost. Track2Realty finds while some buy it for recognition, brand promotion or just notional value; others dismiss the offer being aware that m0re than they needing the award, such trophies need their brand value for establishing credibility.
Track2Realty Exclusive: In its quest for getting professional and have a facelift, the real estate hired professionals from very many other industries. When the going was good some of these companies even shifted management control at the operational level to these professionals. And just when it seemed that the Indian realty is fast maturing from promoter-driven to professional-driven, the downturn in the last few years exposed the sector to an altogether new reality. Track2Realty noted that churn out at the top of these realty companies has been very high and professional-driven management is not a panacea to the woes of the sector.