Current state of real estate sector in India and why investment in real estate in Uttar Pradesh can prove to be fruitful for investors

By: Sachin Gupta | Twitter Follow @sach_gupta

Current state of Real estate in India

Real estate sector in India is going through a rough phase. Demand is weak because of variety of reasons such as high interest rates, delivery issues, lack of connectivity, lack of social infrastructure, and high home prices. While on one hand, in urban areas alone across India, there is a shortage of about 20 million homes. Most of this housing shortage (about 95%) falls in the affordable housing category. However, on another hand, there are about 12 million homes that are ready but are not occupied due to lack of connectivity and lack of social infrastructure such as schools, colleges, hospitals. In tier 1 and tier 2 cities, project delays have also contributed to the slowdown in the sector. Home buyers are not willing to put their hard earned money in under construction projects because of uncertainties involved as far as completion of project is concerned. This has created a vicious cycle wherein buyers are sitting on the fence and developers are holding on to the prices, thereby, there is no liquidity in the sector.

Project delays and significance of real estate bill

As per Assocham study dated October 2015, over 75% of total 3540 projects across India have remained non starter. This means about 2300 projects have failed to get going. And about 1000 projects have registered significant delays of approximately 33 months. The total value of these projects across all Indian states is over Rupees 14 Lakh crores. Therefore, Government would do well to pass the real estate regulatory bill in the current budget session. The bill will give much needed confidence to the home buyers and safeguard their interests. This in turn, will build the momentum for steady demand and cash in hands of the developers to complete realty projects.

States that are going to benefit

Once consumer confidence picks up in the sector on the back of real estate bill and falling interest rates, the demand momentum will benefit many states across India. Of the total value of Rupees 14 lakh crores in outstanding investments attracted by real estate sector across India, Maharashtra accounts for 21%, Uttar Pradesh accounts for 14%, Gujarat accounts for 13%, Karnataka accounts for 12%, and Haryana accounts for 8%, and remaining 32% by all other states.

Of all the states, Uttar Pradesh is better placed to reap the benefits of demand momentum because of following reasons:

• Outstanding Investment potential

As highlighted above, Uttar Pradesh accounts for 14% of total outstanding investments attracted by realty sector. Which means about 1.96 Lakh crore (14% of Rupees 14 Lakh Crore). Passing of real estate bill, falling interest rates, improved GDP growth, and focus on urbanization will actually help the state of Uttar Pradesh in making this outstanding investment a reality.

• Affordable housing

Cities such as Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh are part of the expanded NCR (National Capital Region). While metros across India have seen surge in property prices and therefore making them out of reach of a common man. These cities in Uttar Pradesh offer plenty of affordable housing options. Greater Noida West (earlier known as Noida Extension) is one such example, where 1.6 Lakh housing units are under various stages of construction and houses in this micro market are priced in affordable range of about 3000-3200 Rs/Sq.Ft. New micro markets in Ghaziabad such as Raj Nagar extension, crossing republic, New Indirapuram also fall in the affordable housing category.

• Improved infrastructure

The infrastructure in these cities of Uttar Pradesh has really come of age. Connectivity to national capital by road, or by rail is excellent. Metro Rail is already connected to Noida, Ghaziabad. Moreover, plans to expand Metro rail to Greater Noida and Meerut have been finalized. Recently, central government passed the development of 150 kilometers (93 mi) controlled-access expressway, connecting Delhi with Meerut via Dasna in Ghaziabad in India. This will further boost the realty sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, it provides ample opportunities for end-users and investors alike to invest in the growth story of realty sector in Uttar Pradesh.

In addition to physical infrastructure, social infrastructure in these cities of Uttar Pradesh has also leapfrogged. Schools, universities, hospitals, recreational centers have mushroomed in these parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Therefore, combining all these factors and the focus on urbanization, one can reap great dividends by investing in real estate sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh.


Data Source: Assocham, National Housing Bank