Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype
Affordable housing remains the most critical issue in Gujarat, say experts. Experts from various sector opine that the issue has reached critical dimensions due to the state’s high urbanization growth rate compared to other states.
The state witnessed political clashes during assembly elections based on the issue. Gujarat Congress declared ‘own house’ or ‘Ghar nu Ghar’ scheme under its 12-point poll agenda. If elected to power, the party promised to provide low-cost homes starting from Rs 72,000 to women members of homeless families. And BJP, if re-elected to power, promised to provide affordable homes to 50 lakh urban and rural families.
Besides political parties, even the business magnates in the Vibrant Summit 2013, expressed that affordable housing is the most critical issue in Gujarat owing to higher urban growth rate.
Many experts suggested different ways to manage the issue including use of technology, policy changes and changes in general development controlling regulation (GDCR) along with public private partnership.
Gujarat Population Census 2011’s report states that Gujarat’s urban population growth has remained at 35.83% and 42.58% of its population lives in cities in the last ten years. At this high urbanization growth, it is essential for the state to have more houses in affordable segment. The government has promised to build 50 lakh houses and this would require investment of around $30 billion.
The residential real estate sector of Gujarat requires all the prime requirements such as land, technology and finance to be in sync. Using right technology to correct extent reduces cost of construction of a project and thus increases the sustainability of affordable housing in the long run. But the builders should also remember that the entire state, except one district, is a multi-disaster prone zone.
Developers should standardise affordable housing like car makers. Using factory-made prefabricated material and technology for reducing material waste will reduce construction cost, said an expert. He also called for joint efforts of academia, industry and government for innovative affordable housing.
At the global meet of real estate developers, Vibrant Summit 2013, experts urged the state government to reduce tax burden in the state through reducing stamp duty and VAT on construction material. They said that lower Floor Space Index (FSI) is also a major hindrance to the growth of Gujarat real estate.
The experts demanded the government for comprehensive tax policy, uniform development rules, automation and single window system for clearance. As per the resolution passed at the meet, FSI below five is disastrous and not in line with developing state like Gujarat.
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[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]
[...] Gujarat’s affordable housing on hype [...]