16-sept-2019...kolkata: over 200 bowbazar evacuees look for rented flats several families put up at...

16-Sept-2019

CREDAI Bengal Daily News Update | 16.09.19

WEST BENGAL NEWS

Kolkata: Over 200 Bowbazar evacuees look for rented flats

Several families put up at hotels in central Kolkata by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation

(KMRC) have started scouting for affordable flats to rent out till their homes are repaired

or reconstructed.

The subsidence in Bowbazar owing to Metro tunnelling and the consequent evacuation of

hundreds of residents from their homes that have either tumbled down like a pack of cards or

face similar threats have given rise to a demand for brokers.

Several families put up at hotels in central Kolkata by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC)

have started scouting for affordable flats to rent out till their homes are repaired or

reconstructed.

KMRC officials have requested the families—some officials put the number at 230—to look for

flats for themselves.

Durga Pithuri Lane, Shyakra para Lane and Gour Dey Lane are the affected zone, where four

buildings have collapsed and 74 have been assessed to have developed damage of various

degrees, rendering them unsafe to live.

The calamity took place after a tunnel boring machine, burrowing an underground corridor for

East-West Metro hit an aquifer, leading to the flooding of the tunnel and subsidence of land

above.

Many of the families shifted out are apparently no longer keen on staying at hotels. With no

promise of a time frame for returning home, they now want to move into houses—albeit

rented—so that they can regain some normalcy in their lives.

“A lot of families want to stay in the same neighbourhood but so many flats are not available

there. Our officials are on the lookout for apartments. We have requested the evacuees to look

for accommodations, too. As soon as they get something, and the rents match our budget, we

will help them shift,” said Manas Sarkar, KMRC MD. He added some families would be

allowed to move back home directly from the hotel, once engineers inspect their houses and

green-light their return.

Newspaper/Online ET Realty (online)

Date September 14, 2019

Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/kolkata-over-200-bowbazar-evacuees-look-for-rented-flats/71123175

Akbar Ali Realtors on Eden Hospital Road mainly deals in office space and godowns but they

have been approached by a couple of residents to help them get a decent apartment at affordable

rates. “A few families have approached us with their requirements,” said Akbar Ali, the

proprietor who has been in the business for more than two decades.

Narayan Sharma, an independent property broker on Sir Hari Ram Goenka Street in Burrabazar,

has already identified a few properties in Lake Town and Bangur.

“Getting so many apartments in central Kolkata is difficult. Lake Town and Bangur are well-

connected neighbourhoods, thanks to the proximity to Metro stations. Even the bus connections

are good. I have suggested my clients to move there,” he said.

Some residents, however, claimed they found it difficult to go apartment-hunting as KMRC had

not told them the rent amount they were allowed.

“I have already identified a 3-BHK apartment in north Kolkata but KMRC officials are not

telling us anything about the rent clearly. This is delaying the process,” said Sudipta Seal, who

has been staying in Hotel Broadway with his wife and daughter.

KMRC have also sounded out the families about its plan to temporarily shift them to a building

near Poddar Court, which has been lying unutilised. But the residents don’t seem too

enthusiastic about it as the building is now strewn with garbage and lacks even water and

electricity links.

“Some officials did mention the Poddar Court house but we declined the offer. We have read in

newspapers that the place is not fit for living as it lacks even basic amenities. We are waiting to

hear from them,” said Manoj Jaiswal, who along with his wife, twin daughters, parents and

brother, has been staying in a central Kolkata hotel.

_______________________________________________________________

Kolkata metro corporation finds more Bowbazar buildings

habitable

KMRC officials want to send as many people as possible and as early as possible to their

respective houses.

More buildings are being added to the preliminary list of 11 Bowbazar houses where residents

are expected to be allowed to return soon.

KMRC officials want to send as many people as possible and as early as possible to their

respective houses. Their target is to facilitate the return of occupants of 25-30 houses located on

the periphery of the disaster epicentre — Durga Pithuri Lane and Shyakra Para Lane.

Soil subsidence recorded in the epicentre in the first week after the disaster was as much as 150

mm. At the periphery, however, it was around 5 mm. “A rigorous building condition survey is

on at the moment since we are trying to assess the buildings that are least affected along with

those that haven’t been affected at all,” said an engineer.

A five-member committee had been set up to survey the buildings and identify those that must

be razed and those that can be repaired, along with the ones that are habitable now.

“The structural experts said at least 25-30 buildings were safe for immediate use,” said an

engineer. The team has been visiting the crash zone since Tuesday.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/kolkata-metro-corporation-finds-more-bowbazar-buildings-habitable/71134070

They will continue with site visits for a few more days before compiling their report. For the

moment, the focus is on the list of A-category buildings. The safe and habitable structures fall

in this category.

On the first day of the visit, the team had listed 73 structures to find out whether they had been

damaged because of the subsidence. The number now stands at 74. Nitin Som, emeritus

professor and former head of the civil engineering department, JU, is leading the team.

To reinstate trust of the residents who have been put up in 21 hotels, KMRC is focusing on

bringing people back to their homes, provided the structures are safe and have not been affected

by the tunnelling disaster. Twenty jewellers have already been allowed to return to their shops

at BB Ganguly Street.

“Hundreds of people were evacuated as a precautionary measure when the TBM hit an aquifer.

Now that water seepage has stopped and there is negligible subsidence, we can let the residents

return to their houses as well,” said an official.

The list of these structures will be vetted by the building committee comprising technical

experts. After the committee re-recommends these houses, KMRC will submit the list to KMC.

“The condition of all the buildings, which are on the periphery of the epicentre, is good. But the

expert committee may make the list shorter before its ready for KMC’s approval. The KMC,

too, can reduce the number. The final call will have to be taken by KMC,” said an official.

KMRC wants to send back occupants of these houses early next week, but it all depends on the

time KMC takes for giving its nod.

________________________________________________________________

OTHER NEWS

Disappointed with govt's measures to boost real estate: CREDAI

CREDAI President Satish Magar termed the government's announcement as 'half-

hearted attempt' to revive the ailing real estate sector

The Credai Chairman said the government should remove the unit price cap of ₹45

lakh for availing the additional deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on home loan interest

India's apex realtors group said it is disappointed with the government's measures to support the

sector, as it did not address the key demands such as tax rebate and lower interest rate for home

buyers and developers.

CREDAI's National Chairman Jaxay Shah said the fund created for completing the stalled real

estate projects will have limited impact as it excludes those projects which are either facing

insolvency proceedings or become non-performing assets (NPAs).

"Last month, we had met the finance minister and made several demands to improve liquidity

and boost demand in the real estate sector. But, unfortunately our demands have not been met,"

Shah told PTI on Sunday.

Reiterating the demand of the association that has about 12,000 members, Shah said the

government should withdraw its decision to ban subvention scheme as it was for the benefit of

home buyers and helped generate demand.

In July, the National Housing Bank (NHB) asked housing finance companies (HFCs) to "desist"

from offering loans under subvention scheme, wherein real estate developers pay home loan

interest on behalf of home buyers till possession of flats.

The Credai Chairman said the government should remove the unit price cap of ₹45 lakh for

availing the additional deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on home loan interest.

In the Budget this year, the government allowed an additional deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh for

interest paid on loans borrowed up to March 31, 2020 for purchase of an affordable house

valued up to ₹45 lakh. This additional deduction was over and above ₹2 lakh already permitted

under the Income Tax law.

Newspaper/Online Live Mint


Link https://www.livemint.com/industry/infrastructure/disappointed-with-govt-s-measures-to-boost-real-estate-credai-1568555639553.html

Shah said the interest rate on affordable housing should be lowered for both home buyers and

developers and also stressed on the need to bring down capital gain tax.

On Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will set up

a special window to provide last mile funding for housing projects which are non-NPA and non-

NCLT in the affordable and middle income category.

In the fund, ₹10,000 crore will be contributed by the central government and roughly the same

amount will come from outside investors.

That apart, the norms for external commercial borrowings (ECB) for affordable housing was

relaxed and the government servant will get house building advance at lower interest rates.

"The government has just scratched the tip of the surface with the recent announcement. They

are not realising the gravity of the situation," Shah had commented on Saturday after the

announcement of the package.

He had said that industry was expecting more from the government to boost the sector that

provides millions of employment opportunities.

Shah had also said that it would become "challenging" to fulfil the objective of 'Housing For All

by 2022' if the requisite policy reforms were not announced.

CREDAI President Satish Magar termed the government's announcement as "half-hearted

attempt" to revive the ailing real estate sector.

He said bold decisions were needed to help revive the crumbling real estate sector.

The government's announcement was "disappointing" not just for the industry but also for the

lakhs of people employed within the real estate sector, Magar said.

The CREDAI President said the government should "work towards resolving the root cause

instead of just announcing piecemeal reforms that will not have a tangible impact in the long

run".

However, property consultant CBRE India Chairman and CEO Anshuman Magazine said the

measures announced by the central government to boost the housing sector are encouraging and

in the right direction.

"Through these steps the government has provided relief to delayed housing projects as well as

promoted affordable housing projects," said Magazine, who also heads CBRE's South East

Asia, Middle East and Africa business.

Sanjay Dutt, MD & CEO, Tata Realty & Infrastructure, said the government’s decision to

provide the much-needed last mile liquidity to the affordable and middle-class housing sector is

a positive news for the industry.

"This funding for non-NPA and Non-NCLT projects would not only arrest the rise of NPA’s

but also reduce the NCLT & RERA complaints overall. This will provide relief to the customers

and help restore confidence in the housing sector," he said.

Dutt said the housing sector requires a funding of over ₹3 lakh crore and this decision is the first

step to infuse liquidity in the sector.

"We are also hopeful that over time, the government will announce measures to spurt job

creation and confidence thereby improving sentiments," he added.

__________________________________________________________________

FM announces Rs 20,000 crore fund to provide last-mile funding

for housing projects

The government of India will contribute Rs 10,000 crore and roughly same amount will be

contributed by outside investors.

With a focus on construction of unfinished units, Nirmala Sitharaman, finance minister, on

Saturday announced special window to provide last mile funding for housing projects which are

non-NPA and non-NCLT and are net worth positive in affordable and middle income category.

The government of India will contribute Rs 10,000 crore and roughly same amount will be

contributed by outside investors. The fund will be set-up as category-II AIF trust and would be

professionally run with experts from housing and banking sector.

The objective behind the move is to focus on the construction of unfinished units. This is part of

a package of measures announced by the government to boost the housing sector.

The central government on the lines of NIIF, can contribute to the fund while the rest of the

investors would be LIC and other institutions and private capital from banks/sovereign funds/

DFIs, etc.

The finance minister also announced relaxation of external commercial borrowing (ECB)

guidelines to facilitate financing of home buyers who are eligible under the Pradhan Mantri

Awas Yojana (PMAY), in consultation with RBI.

This is in addition to the existing norms of ECB for affordable housing.

Encouraging government servants to buy houses, Sitharaman announced lowering of interest

rate on house building advance and linked with the 10-years government securities yields.

House Building Advance is available to central government and state government employees

for constructing a new house on the plot owned by the employee or jointly with the spouse. The

scheme can also be availed for the purchase of new house or flat.

The government previously announced additional deduction up to Rs. 1.5 lakh for interest paid

on loans borrowed up to 31st March, 2020 for purchase of house valued up to Rs. 45 lakh.

It has also established an organisation to provide credit enhancement for infrastructure and

housing projects.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/fm-announces-rs-20000-crore-fund-to-provide-last-mile-funding-for-housing-projects/71125555

Government committed to give land titles to legitimate forest

dwellers: Environment Minister

He was addressing a press conference on the concluding day of the 14th Conference of

Parties (COP 14) to the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD) here.

The government is committed to give land titles to all legitimate forest dwellers as they are a

part of the forest development strategy, Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on

Friday.

He was addressing a press conference on the concluding day of the 14th Conference of Parties

(COP 14) to the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD) here.

Javadekar said his government's stand is clear on the rights of the forest dwellers, a matter

which is pending before the Supreme Court.

"The government believes and is committed to give land titles to all legitimate forest dwellers.

In the strategy for forest development, tribals and dwellers are a part of it as they live and

protect the forest. We have allotted in last five years millions of land titles," the minister said.

On February 13, the Supreme Court had ordered eviction of more than 11.8 lakh tribal families

and traditional forest dwellers from forestlands in 16 states.

The order was condemned by conservationists and forests dwellers' movements.

After a nationwide protest, the government approached the court asking it to stay its eviction

order.

"When the first decision of the Supreme Court came, we immediately filed the affidavit in

favour of forest rights and that decision was stayed by the court itself," Javadekar said.

"So our position is very clear. Tribals and forest dwellers are part of the forest development

strategy as they protect and nurture the forests," he said.

________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/government-committed-to-give-land-titles-to-legitimate-forest-dwellers-environment-minister/71123537

Govt employees to get house-building advance at lower interest

rates

The interest rate house-building loans will be linked to 10-year G Sec yields

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced a ₹10,000 crore funding

window for incomplete projects

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a slew of measures to boost the

housing sector, including lower interest rates on house-building advance for government

employees. Government employees contribute to a major component of demand for housing

and it will encourage them to buy more new houses, the Finance Ministry said.

According to the announcement made by the finance minister, the interest rate on house-

building advance for government employees will be lowered and linked with 10-year G-Sec

yields.

The government today announced a special window to provide last-mile funding for housing

projects that are non-NPA and non-NCLT projects and are net-worth positive in affordable and

middle income category. The objective is to focus on construction of unfinished housing units.

The size of the special window for funding of incomplete projects will be ₹20,000 crore, to be

contributed by Govt of India and roughly the same amount by outside investors. The fund

would be run by experts from the housing and banking sector.

The special funding window for incomplete housing projects would be on the lines of National

Investment and Infrastructure Fund or NIIF, which was set up in 2016 as an investment vehicle

to fund commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled projects.

The government also today announced a relaxation of external commercial borrowing or ECB

guidelines for lending institutions for financing of home buyers under the Pradhan Mantri Awas

Yojana or PMAY scheme.

Earlier this year, the government in the Budget had announced an additional income tax

deduction for interest paid on home loans borrowed up to 31 March, 2020, for purchase of

house valued up to ₹45 lakh.

Newspaper/Online Live Mint


Link https://www.livemint.com/industry/infrastructure/govt-employees-to-get-house-building-advance-at-lower-interest-rates-1568456436389.html

Homebuyers' body asks PMO to bring RERA officials under CVC

The FPCE has recommended an orientation course for all RERA officials in which they

are counselled to stick to the brief.

Home buyers’ body FPCE has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to bring officials enforcing the

provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act (RERA) under the ambit of the

Central Vigilance Commission.

In its letter to the PMO, the Forum for People’s Collective Efforts (FPCE) has also

recommended that all orders passed under RERA should be subjected to audit by the

Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) to check for compliance with RERA provisions.

The FPCE has also raised concern over statements made by state regulators against RERA. The

forum is of the view that such remarks from the regulators, who are expected to enforce the

provisions of RERA, are aimed at preparing the ground for an amendment to the Act.

“These casual observations by the regulators not only question but also abuse and challenge the

wisdom of our legislators, the cabinet, the governments and the judiciary, who have together

prepared and cleared this Act after a rigorous process over the years,” Abhay Upadhyay,

president of FPCE, told ET.

“Furthermore, these statements question the ability and competence of the government to enact

proper laws.” The FPCE has suggested that all proceedings of RERA, appellate authorities and

the Conciliation Forum should be held in-camera with provisions for a live-feed.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/homebuyers-body-asks-pmo-to-bring-rera-officials-under-cvc/71142853

In other suggestions to ensure transparency, the forum has said a web link should be made

available to the public and an audit of the website should be ordered by state governments to

check whether RERA provisions are being implemented.

The letter says that penalties levied while granting extension to builders, along with their

reasons should be properly stated along with the other disclosures.

The FPCE has recommended an orientation course for all RERA officials in which they are

counselled to stick to the brief. It has also said that the housing ministry should recommend to

the state governments to issue showcause notices to the chairpersons/members of their state, for

their alleged campaign against RERA.

Lastly, the FPCE has demanded that all RERA authorities be barred from attending the events

organised by builders’ bodies as this can result in a conflict of interest.

In its letter, the FPCE has described the performance of RERA authorities over the last three

years as “lackadaisical”, “arbitrary” and “whimsical”.

After nine years, Gayatri Aura nears completion under UP-

RERA's supervision

Launched in 2010, the project remains incomplete and is now being monitored by the

Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-Rera).

In Gayatri Aura, a 450-apartment housing project in Noida Extension, is a story mired in

inordinate delays, largely caused by long periods of stalled work because of protests by farmers

for compensation.

Launched in 2010, the project remains incomplete and is now being monitored by the Uttar

Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP-Rera).

Spread over nine acres, Gayatri Aura in Noida Extension’s Sector 1 comprises four towers. Of

its 544 units, 450 have been sold.

The project was supposed to be completed between 2016 and 2018. But it was delayed

primarily because of farmers’ challenge to land acquisition for the project in court that led to

construction being stayed between 2012 and 2014.

Explaining the reasons for the delay, a spokesperson for Gayatri Aura said, "The project was

delayed for two-three years because of various reasons. Final possession of land from

the Greater Noida Authority delayed our project. Due to encroachment on one part, we began

construction on the other part. Farmers refused to vacate land due to the court case and no

rehabilitation was facilitated by the Authority till 2015."

But the delays have cost the buyers time and patience. "I bought my flat with an investment of

Rs 20 lakh in 2011. It has been a long wait. Thanks to the efforts made by some buyers, the flats

are expected to be handed over soon," DP Singh, a buyer, said.

In fact, UP-Rera came into the picture after a group of aggrieved buyers approached the

regulator to complain of delays.

Subsequently, the regulator instituted a reconciliation committee with two representatives from

buyers, two from the developer, one from the Greater Noida Authority and one from UP-Rera.

Construction at the site restarted from October 2018 after the farmers’ issues were resolved. All

four towers are now due by March 2020.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/after-nine-years-gayatri-aura-nears-completion-under-up-reras-supervision/71121008

Piyush Arora, another buyer, said, "I made almost 80% payment on my flat and I continue to

pay an EMI of Rs 25,000 per month. I am now waiting on the builder’s promise of delivery by

the end of the year."

When contacted, the builder said it has been facing financial liquidity issues. "We are seeking

cooperation from financial agencies for fund infusion. We have told our buyers that the delivery

of flats will be done as promised," Hari Om Dixit, director of Gayatri Group, told TOI.

However, not all buyers are fully convinced. "We have been told that construction work has

started, but what we have seen is some paint work being done. We will only be sure of the

completion once we get the keys," said Pradeep Singh, another investor.

For all 450 buyers of Gayatri Aura, it is now time to keep their fingers crossed.

________________________________________________________________

Ahmedabad civic body increases fees for BU permission copy by

900%

For example, the cost of getting a copy of a BU permission was just Rs 10, but the standing

committee on Friday increased it to Rs 100, a 900% increase.

Getting a building plan, or a copy of a building-use permission or a notification of the standing

committee will be more expensive now.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on Friday decided to increase charges levied for these

services by 900%.

For example, the cost of getting a copy of a BU permission was just Rs 10, but the standing

committee on Friday increased it to Rs 100, a 900% increase.

Standing committee chairman Amul Bhatt said the increase was required as the rates for

acquiring documents from the central records office had not been revised for 20 years.

He said these rates were compared to the rates of Ahmedabad Urban Development

Authority (Auda) and based on the Auda rates, the revised its own.

Bhatt said the prices of stationery, printing and other things had increased manyfold and the

rates needed to be increased.

Bhatt said the rates were last revised in 1999, and after which several requests were made by the

department but these were not allowed.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/ahmedabad-civic-body-increases-fees-for-bu-permission-copy-by-900/71123401

He said that the work for getting certified copies was outsourced and the private contractor was

making these certified copies in consultation with the central office.

In a bid to increase its revenue, the AMC has been increasing the costs of its services. The

AMC recently revised the rates for renting its halls and auditorium.

________________________________________________________________

Gujarat CM approves 72 TP & 10 DP schemes in nine months

Rupani approved six town planning schemes in a single day on Friday including one draft

scheme and one preliminary scheme of Ahmedabad, two preliminary schemes of Surat

and one varied preliminary scheme of Rajkot.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani has said that for the holistic development of people of the

state he has approved 82 schemes including 72 TP (town planning) and 10 DP (draft plan) in

just nine months this year.

Rupani approved six town planning schemes in a single day on Friday including one draft

scheme and one preliminary scheme of Ahmedabad, two preliminary schemes of Surat and one

varied preliminary scheme of Rajkot.

He also approved one final varied TP of Vadodara. Rupani also approved the draft TP Scheme

440 of Ahmedabad (Chekhla-Godhavi-Garodia-Vansajada-Dhedia-Unali).

The Draft TP scheme of Ahmedabad approved by the CM will lead to planned development of

additional 330 hectares of land in the Ahmedabad metropolis.

The four preliminary TPs of Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot approved by the chief minister will

result in improved development of cities over an additional 325 hectares of land.

“If TP schemes are not finalised, no one will be able to work on any project. Faster finalization

of TP schemes will give the real estate market traction,” he added.

Industry players said the state government should bring in more officers to finalize and approve

TPs schemes. Currently, one officer has to handle up to 40 TP schemes.

“If more officers are roped in and allotted say 10 TP schemes, it will speed up development,”

added an industry player.

________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/gujarat-cm-approves-72-tp-10-dp-schemes-in-nine-months/71121434

Mumbai: Over 150 SRA beneficiaries in Malad take possession of

their homes

Malad SRA project ended in 2017 but remained unoccupied as authorities refused to allot

flats to residents of mezzanine floors in slums despite the rule being amended last year

After an excruciating two-year-long wait, over 150 families - all beneficiaries of a slum

rehabilitation scheme - stormed into the building and took possession of their homes.

Construction of Takshashila building at Rathodi in Malad West finished in 2017 but it stood

empty until Wednesday as the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) was entangled in red tape.

According to Mumbai North MP Gopal Shetty, who helped the group of 156 families in

claiming their homes, the delay was being because the SRA kept citing an archaic rule that

prevents first-floor residents of slums from being entitled to rehabilitation schemes. About 35

families were being denied homes under this rule.

"The officials were citing a Bombay High Court judgment of 2018. However, I brought it to

their notice that it was based on the 2001 Slum Act which was amended in 2017. The

amendment makes mezzanine floor residents eligible for such schemes," said Shetty.

Despite this, the SRA officials kept dilly-dallying, he claims. Shetty says he even implored

housing minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to intervene, who then sought an opinion from the

law and judiciary department which supported Shetty's case.

But they still kept delaying the lottery for the allotment of flats, so we took matters in our own

hands, he said.

"We were fighting for five years. Finally, we have justice and roof over our heads," said Ashok

Jadhav, chairman of Takshashila society.

Although the building has been granted an Occupation Certificate, it is yet to get a water

connection.

SRA chief executive officer Deepak Kapoor could not be reached for comment.

State regularises unauthorised transit camp occupants



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/mumbai-over-150-sra-beneficiaries-in-malad-take-possession-of-their-homes/71134131

The state government on Friday legalised the possession of tenements by unauthorised

occupiers in transit camps in the city. There are around 8,500 such unauthorised occupiers in the

transit camps.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority had built transit camps for the

residents of cessed buildings, which are in a dilapidated state. There are 56 such transit camps

across Mumbai, that house 22,000 tenements.

Most of the structures have collapsed or have been declared dangerous to live in over the years.

Frustrated with the authority's delay in the redevelopment of the cessed buildings, many of the

transit camp residents sold their tenements and moved on.

With the transit camps completing 30 to 40 years of existence, the authority had initiated the

redevelopment of the structures. The redevelopment process left the new occupants’ status as

legal owners uncertain.

The state government’s decision to regularize the unauthorized residents comes ahead of the

elections in Maharashtra. The occupants, however, will not be eligible for free tenements in the

redeveloped structures and will have to pay the construction cost as well as the cost of

development infrastructure.

The government’s resolution, issued on Friday, states that it is in accordance with the Central

government’s policy to provide a pucca house to every Indian by 2022.

“We cannot throw out those who already have homes, so that is why it was decided to legalise

these unauthorized residents,” the resolution said.

________________________________________________________________

Nagpur civic body approves construction of over 350 EWS flats

The committee also approved replacing of MahaMetro with the civic body’s own

contractor for construction of Metro Mall citing delays.

People from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) will be the first to get accommodation on

the proposed Orange Street as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) standing committee on

Friday approved construction of 386 flats at a cost of Rs 60.69 crore.

The committee also approved replacing of MahaMetro with the civic body’s own contractor for

construction of Metro Mall citing delays.

Flat schemes for EWS will be second component of Orange Street, as NMC has already started

construction of Metro Mall on plot no. 1.

NMC executive engineer Naresh Borkar told TOI proposal is to construct

eight residential towers of G+6 each on plot no. 20 measuring 12,784 sq m. “Estimated area of

each flat will be 30 sq m. These towers will come up between Yashoda Nagar and Jaitala

Square,” he said.

NMC will rope in seed money to start construction of flat schemes. In parallel process, the civic

body will select beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), take an advance

from them, and use it in the construction.

The stretch of Orange Street breaks at Jaitala Square due to road connecting Inner Ring Road

with Jaitala. As per NMC proposal, a commercial complex will come up towards the front side

of Jaitala Road followed by vegetable and mutton market, and then flat schemes. Thus, NMC

plans to accommodate existing vegetable market, which is a popular one on Sunday for a large

number of areas.

The standing committee approved the proposal to float tenders for appointing private contractor

to construct Metro Mall from above plinth level at an estimated cost of Rs 53.66 crore. The

committee also approved dropping MahaMetro, revising agreement and allowing it to construct

only up to plinth level.

TOI, on September 9, was the first to report about the NMC decision to drop MahaMetro and

construct the mall on its own.



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/nagpur-civic-body-approves-construction-of-over-350-ews-flats/71133534

As per the proposal, NMC had entered into an agreement with MahaMetro on December 20,

2018, to construct Metro Mall through the latter. MahaMetro was chosen as Metro Mall is

supposed to be linked to Jaiprakash Nagar Metro Rail Station.

“Decision was taken to restrict MahaMetro for construction only up to plinth level and build

remaining through private contractor due to slow pace of work by MahaMetro,” the proposal

said.

Municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar said NMC is also likely to save money, which would

help sell commercial spaces in Metro Mall at cheaper rates.

“Cost of MahaMetro is high as it does works on its own common schedule of rates (CSR)

whereas NMC executes works on CSR finalized by state’s Public Works Department, which is

less,” he said.

In last nine months, MahaMetro could not even complete entire digging for construction of two

lower basement parking floors in Metro Mall.

________________________________________________________________

Community apartments on the rise in Coimbatore

They say homes from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh were the ones that usually move fast.

While realty developers are developing and promoting more community apartments in the city

and surroundings, flats in these apartments may not be selling as fast as they used to, say

developers.

A walk around the 30 stalls at Credai Fairpro 2019, the Confederation of Real Estate

Developers Association of India’s (Credai) ongoing property fair in the city, shows all

developers promoting their community apartment projects in localities in and around the city.

They say homes from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh were the ones that usually move fast. People

prefer these as they have a sense of safety and accessibility to a range of facilities these

community apartments offer.

Along with facilities such as gyms, spas, swimming pools, halls, and play areas, some

developers of community apartments have also brought in facilities such as malls and co-

working spaces.

Though the trend of community apartments was catching up in the region, developers say

currently flats were not selling as fast as they used to.

K Gopalakrishnan, a representative of Cordon Bleu Properties and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, which

has developed Central Park, a community apartment on Sathy Road, said now it takes two years

for them to sell flats that they would have sold in one year earlier.

While the price of flats in these apartments range from around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 2 crore, flats

whose price fall between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 60 lakh were the ones which were more preferred.

“In today’s market conditions, flats which cost more than Rs 60 lakh are not moving,” said S

Kapilraja, deputy sales manager of XS Real, a realty developer.

Also, to accommodate the available budget of customers, the type of apartments was also

changing, said Surender Vittel, president of Credai, Coimbatore. “Earlier we were going for

larger apartments now the size of the units has reduced,” he said.

Developers said with the realty in Chennai reaching a saturation, they were viewing Coimbatore

as the next potential location for development. H Surendran, marketing manager of Salarpuria



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/community-apartments-on-the-rise-in-coimbatore/71121343

Sattva Group, says they have done around 200 projects in Bengaluru and their first project in

Tamil Nadu was on Avinashi Road, as they see the city to be a potential market.

The main consumers of these community apartments were salaried people and techies who live

in nuclear families, said developers. “They mainly opt for this as they have safety and as their

children get to have a better social life in these communities,” said Sanjana Vijayakumar, co-

founder of Town and City Developers.

Speaking about the Credai Fairpro 2019, Rajiv Ramaswamy, secretary of Credai, Coimbatore,

said this year they were seeing more people coming in with a genuine interest to buy.

“While we saw a business of Rs 150 crore last year, we seek to reach Rs 175 crore this year.

Normally it would take around six months for this to actualize,” he said. He said the fair this

year had a wider range of products for a diverse range of buyers.

______________________________________________________________

Ernakulam administration look for places to rehabilitate Maradu

flat residents

Following the administration’s direction to prepare a list of families to be rehabilitated,

the local body on Thursday submitted details of 343 families in the four buildings to be

demolished, There are about 400 flat owners.

Ernakulam district administration is on the look out for places to rehabilitate the residents, who

will be displaced once the four flats in Maradu are demolished as per Supreme Court order.

Following the administration’s direction to prepare a list of families to be rehabilitated, the local

body on Thursday submitted details of 343 families in the four buildings to be demolished,

There are about 400 flat owners.

The administration asked revenue officials to identify places like community halls for

rehabilitation. However, it is sceptical whether these families would be ready to vacate their

apartments once the local body moves forward with steps to demolish the buildings.

“The municipality is responsible for the demolition. The administration can only provide

rehabilitation. Since the residents have moved to court and we have time till September 20, the

ultimatum given by the SC, we have temporarily suspended the search for places.

We have just enquired about the quarters of Fertilizer and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT) in

Ambalamugal. It is in bad shape necessitating renovation before shifting the willing families.

We are waiting for the collector' decision. But we don’t know how many families would be

willing to stay in camps,” said a revenue official.

Meanwhile, sources close to the collector said that not all residents require rehabilitation by the

administration. Many can shift to relatives’ houses and look for other accommodations and it

will provide facilities only to the needful.

________________________________________________________________



Link https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/ernakulam-administration-look-for-places-to-rehabilitate-maradu-flat-residents/71123693

16-sept-2019...kolkata: over 200 bowbazar evacuees look for rented flats several families put up at...

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