Tag: Ahmedabad

InfrastructureLatest Stories

New Town Plans in Ahmedabad Require 5% Green Cover

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is poised to introduce significant greening initiatives aimed at enhancing the urban environment, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel set to present the draft policies on July 19. The new ‘Greening Policy Measures for a Greener Ahmedabad’ mandates that all new town planning schemes allocate 5% of the total land for green cover. Within this allocation, 1% must be specifically designated for urban forests using the Miyawaki technique, which allows for rapid and dense planting. This policy extends existing state government requirements. Previously, the state’s Town Planning Act permitted a maximum of 5% land reservation…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Auda’s Past Plans Erode Ahmedabad’s Lakes

Representative image created by AI AHMEDABAD: Numerous ponds and lakes throughout the city have experienced a notable decrease in their land area due to past Town Planning (TP) schemes created by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), even though state government policy prohibits such reductions, according to sources. Areas like Thaltej, Bopal, Memnagar, Vastrapur, and Charodi—previously under AUDA’s jurisdiction—have seen their water bodies diminish in size since being integrated into the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) limits. Official sources indicate that AUDA’s TP scheme drafts—initially designed for village lands that were later incorporated into the city—resulted in a reduction of land…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Gujarat Unveils New Policy for Township Projects After 16 Years

Representative image created by AI GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat is reexamining its urban housing strategy. As part of its Urban Development Year initiative, the state government is crafting a new township policy aimed at fostering organized and affordable housing throughout its cities. The previous policy from 2009 struggled to take off due to various implementation issues. The updated version aims to provide incentives such as eased floor space index (FSI), tax reductions, and improved alignment with urban development plans. Sixteen years after launching the 2009 Residential Township Policy, the government plans to entice real estate developers to create large-scale, self-sufficient townships. Senior…

IndustryLatest Stories

50% of Sabarmati riverfront plot sale proceeds to Gujarat govt

Representative image generated by AI AHMEDABAD: On October 28, 2024, the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. (SRFDCL) approved a bid to sell development rights for a 4,420 sq m plot near Vallabhsadan, located on the western side of the riverfront, for Rs 156.13 crore. Half of the total revenue from this sale will be allocated to the state government. Sources indicate that in 2004, when the state-owned land along the banks of the Sabarmati was allocated for the riverfront development project by the revenue department, it was stipulated that 50% of total revenue from land sales should go to the…

CommercialLatest Stories

Gujarat Sees 245 New Commercial Projects in 2024-25

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s commercial real estate sector is experiencing a robust revival after years of fluctuation. In 2024-25, the state celebrated the launch of 245 new commercial projects — the highest number since 2019-20’s 269 projects. Additionally, 31,520 commercial units were registered, marking a peak in post-Covid registrations, according to the latest GujRERA report. The sector saw a dramatic drop of 58% in registrations during 2020-21, the peak Covid year, primarily due to the work-from-home culture and lockdowns affecting demand. Tejas Joshi, vice-president of Credai Gujarat, stated, “Office demand plummeted sharply, with businesses in sectors like entertainment, food services, gyms, and…

IndustryLatest Stories

Gujarat’s 5 districts draw ₹5.03 lakh crore in real estate investments

AI-generated Representative Image AHMEDABAD: Since the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) was implemented in 2017, Gujarat’s real estate sector has attracted investments totaling ₹5.03 lakh crore. Notably, 94% of this investment is concentrated in five key districts: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. This concentration is largely attributed to rapid urbanization, improved infrastructure, and heightened demand for residential and commercial properties. In stark contrast, the remaining 28 districts—home to nearly two-thirds (64%) of Gujarat’s population—have garnered only 6% of the total investments. Experts express concerns about this uneven distribution of resources and emphasize the need for balanced infrastructure…

Latest StoriesRera

Gujarat RERA Warns on NBFC Funding for Construction Projects

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GujRERA) has identified significant issues in loan practices adopted by builders and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) for project financing. These issues include the mortgaging of unsold inventories from other projects and the disbursement of loans without RERA registration. To safeguard buyers’ interests, the authority plans to address these concerns with the state finance department for escalation to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). GujRERA emphasizes the necessity for a standardized operating procedure for real estate projects funded by NBFCs. Senior officials from GujRERA have noted that builders seeking funds frequently turn to NBFCs,…

Latest StoriesResidential

Gujarat CM Sets ₹200 Annual House Tax for PMAY-Gramin Beneficiaries

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced an important measure to benefit recipients of government-backed housing in rural areas of the state. The initiative introduces a uniform annual house tax of Rs 200 for beneficiaries under various government housing schemes, including the Central Government’s flagship program, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural). An annual tax rate of Rs 200 has been established for four years, starting with the current assessment cycle, applicable to houses built with government aid within all Gram Panchayats statewide, as per the official announcement. No Gram Panchayat will have the authority to impose a rate higher…

Latest StoriesRera

Developers Receive Gujarat RERA Notices for Pre-Registration

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GujRERA) has commenced issuing notices to developers who are marketing their projects and taking bookings prior to obtaining RERA registration, which violates the RERA Act. Sources report that GujRERA plans to launch a significant campaign against this practice statewide. The authority has also introduced new marketing regulations that will take effect on June 15. According to a source, “The authority has issued warnings to several developers who began promoting their projects and accepting bookings without registering them with RERA. This measure is aimed at ensuring customer safety. In addition to responding to public…

IndustryLatest Stories

Gujarat Waives 80% Duty on Property Transfers Without Sale Deeds

GANDHINAGAR: In a significant relief for numerous property owners in Gujarat, the state government announced on Monday a stamp duty waiver of up to 80% for property transfers executed through allotment letters and share certificates, bypassing the need for a sale deed. This issue has long impacted older housing societies. The decision, released by the revenue department under Section 9A of the Gujarat Stamp Act, addresses requests from citizens and elected officials. The new ruling specifically benefits residents of societies, associations, and non-trading corporations that transferred properties without sale deeds — a common practice from 1982 to 2001. Many residences,…