Real estate investments picking up in metros: ASSOCHAM

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ASSOCHAM President Sajjan Jindal said that the Indian metro cities continue to be the favorite destination for real estate development

Even though real estate has been the worst victim of high cost economy, especially after the meltdown set in, yet it’s share in total private sector infrastructure investments in the metros in last six months works out to be 12%, followed by 10.26% in hospitality, says an assessment of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

However, metro rail projects accounted for maximum of 27% share in total money injected in metro cities for infrastructure development under central, state, local government including corporates. Sewerage and solid waste management investment in the Tier I cities constitute the major chunk of investments, specifically via government mode. Mumbai (Rs166.94bn), Chennai (Rs15.88bn) and Bangalore (Rs13.54bn) are the major recipients of sewerage related investment. In percentage terms, it works out to be 16.90% of total infrastructure investment.

In a statement, ASSOCHAM President Sajjan Jindal said that the Indian metro cities continue to be the favorite destination for real estate development. The real estate projects constituting residential as well as commercial projects, have pocketed investment worth Rs157.10bn. The southern twin cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad have enjoyed maximum attention of the real estate developers.

The Karnataka capital, Bangalore is the frontrunner in terms of real estate projects planned for the metros with the investment estimated to be Rs79.90bn. Hyderabad at second place among all the cities, has bagged projects worth Rs4050 in realty space. With India being placed as versatile tourist destination across the world and steep rise in tourists arrival in India in past few years, hospitality has been considered as a crucial part of a well-developed infrastructure for the metro cities.

Chennai has come into front run in terms of funds directed towards construction and renovation of hotels. Investment of Rs40bn is being planned to infuse in constructing a five star hotel by ITC Industries in Chennai. Jindal said that as the Tier I cities in India are working out hard to offset the huge pressure on their existing infrastructure, it is the metro rail projects which have been the key driver of the infrastructure investment in these cities with metro projects costing Rs340bn.

The Study is based on the ongoing projects of central and state governments and those announced by private sector in last Six months. Six metro cities taken in the study included Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The key challenges faced in the metros include transportation and water supply.

In transportation sector, other than metro rail, Rs62.83bn are being pooled in, accounting for 5% share. Roadway projects in the Tier I cities which include bridges, ROBs, highways and expressways, have been allocated Rs58.19bn. Water Supply projects, primarily being undertaken by the central government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, have absorbed Rs57.57bn investment with 4.54% share.