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The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India has urged the Government to do away with “antiquated laws” in the interest of urban development and housing.
The developers’ apex body Credai strongly advocated a pragmatic and practical approach by all government departments, particularly the Environmental Ministry, to address the chronic housing shortage.
Environment clearance issues have led to “avoidable delays of up to two years” according to the Confederation’s National President Lalit Kumar Jain. In a press release he said: “An efficient mechanism with comprehensive check list to ensure full compliance can be worked out.” Developers fail to understand the intervention of the Environment Department in projects being implemented according to prior approved master plans of cities, which anyway take environmental approvals, he said.
For instance, why should the department worry about the sewer lines and building heights and location of fire stations, which are part of the civic plans? He asked.
Credai is concerned about environment protection, evident in its campaigns for green buildings and sustainable development.
Jain said the Environment Department could prepare a comprehensive check list without compromising on quality aspects of environment.
Then, the plan-approving authority could be delegated powers to comply with the check list. Jain said the housing industry can accelerate the growth of economy. It is high time the Government at the Centre takes a overall view and initiates reforms in the sector covering Administrative, Land, Banking and Taxation. Fiscal benefits to affordable housing scheme will go a long way.
Rising demand
Quoting a McKinsey report, the release said the, demand for affordable housing will reach 38 million units by 2030 compared with 24.71 million units in 2007 and 26.53 million in 2011. Over 700 million and 900 million square metres of residential and commercial space respectively a year are needed and that is at the rate of two Mumbai-equivalent cities each year.
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