HYDERABAD: Telangana is committed to ensuring every family has access to affordable housing by 2047, according to revenue, housing, and I&PR minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who spoke at the ‘Telangana Rising 2047 – Global Summit’ on Tuesday.
The minister stated that the government is finalizing a long-term housing policy that prioritizes economic viability, environmental responsibility, and technology to close the widening gap between housing demand and supply.
“Our aim is to move beyond piecemeal schemes and establish a comprehensive policy for the next two decades,” he explained, indicating the state’s interest in exploring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for affordable housing around the Outer Ring Road and Regional Ring Road.
Industry experts emphasize the need to rethink the city’s housing priorities. Professor PSN Rao from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi highlighted that Hyderabad should focus on smaller, affordable homes to tackle the significant shortage. “To make housing accessible for the average citizen, the city must revisit the 1BHK segment, given the current need for nearly 28 million homes,” he elaborated. He added that development must extend beyond the ORR to improve connectivity and social infrastructure, allowing those priced out of core Hyderabad to find affordable housing.
The government’s long-term strategy includes identifying three key zones: the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR) for slum redevelopment and affordable rentals; the Peri-Urban Region (PUR) for new townships, workforce housing, and satellite cities like Bharat City; and the Rest of the State (RoS) for small and medium townships associated with industrial and logistics hubs. The forthcoming policy will align with the newly established CURE, PURE, and RARE zones.
However, industry representatives caution that the current regulatory framework does not fully reflect market realities. G Ram Reddy, president of CREDAI Hyderabad, pointed out that the definition of affordable housing—capped at ₹45 lakh for 60 sq m homes in metros—is outdated. “Construction costs, labor, and materials have surged, making even the most basic units exceed this limit. The cap should be raised to at least ₹50 lakh to ensure benefits reach homes people can genuinely afford,” he stressed, urging the government to allocate land for affordable projects throughout the city.
Others agree that improving affordability requires addressing structural issues. “High land costs within the city push affordable options outside the ORR. If relocation is expected, the government must ensure robust connectivity,” stated Abhijit Sankar Ray, an urban specialist at the World Bank, noting that rental housing should receive equal policy focus.
Supporting these concerns, Ramky Estates MD M Nanda Kishore emphasized that developers require concessions in taxes, stamp duties, and expedited permits to deliver affordable homes at scale.
