GURUGRAM: The estimate of the amount of new land that could become available for affordable housing, after the removal of the cap on land for the segment through DTCP’s recent amendment of its Affordable Housing Policy 2013, is out. From a maximum of 300 acres that was available in the past, the total land under the segment could now rise to 810 acres, an increase of over 500 acres.

Earlier, there was cap of 10 acres per sector, and a total of 300 acres, in Gurgaon. With the amendment, DTCP has removed the limit on both, with the limit per sector increased to 15 acres. The amendment has also reduced the minimum land criteria from 5 acres per sector to 4 acres. With this, 72,500 new units are expected to be added soon to the affordable housing category in Gurgaon, whose numbers currently stand at around 35,000, at different stages of construction.

As per the DTCP notification, in case a portion of the total 15 acres in a sector marked for the category is found to be redundant due to grant of first and second license, relaxation of 20% on the minimum area norm of 5 acres will be considered. “This means, even with 4 acres of land, one can apply for license,” said the notification. It further adds that fee and charges will be levied on 5 acres, but FAR, ground coverage, etc will be allowed on actual licensed area.

Managing director of BDI Group, Ssumit Berry, said the government has also decreased the minimum area per sector from 5 acres to 4 acres. “This will help in better utilisation of land earmarked for affordable housing in residential sectors,” he said, adding it will benefit the sector and public at large.

According to officials, Gurgaon’s existing sectors (1-58) hardly have any big chunk of land available, so this policy will be mostly applicable to new sectors (59-115). There are around 57 new sectors, of which around 54 are residential. With 15 acres in 54 new residential sectors, the total area under affordable housing will rise to around 810 acres. “There will be significant increase in supply,” said the official, adding many more developers will now get license for affordable housing.

 National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) president Praveen Jain welcomed the move. “It’ll increase inventory of affordable houses in the city and help in meeting the rising demand,” said Jain. He though also expressed his concern over slow infrastructure development in new sectors. “Only making policy changes and giving licenses to some more developers will not solve the problem. People also need roads, power and civic amenities,” said Jain, adding that more affordable houses will be of no use without supporting infrastructure.

District town planner (DTP) R S Batth said more people will able to buy homes with the policy change. “Under affordable housing, people can get homes at fixed rates. With the policy amendment, number of projects will increase significantly, leading to increase in supply of affordable homes. This will benefit public at large,” said Batth.

Source
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/500-acres-more-for-affordable-housing/articleshow/61123872.cms