Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh most transparent in real estate

Chennai/ Hyderabad, Dec16 (TruthDive): Andhra Pradesh ranks first, while Jharkhand is the worst in transparency in matters of real estate. Andhra Pradesh (AP) is closely followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are better than Jharkhand in the list prepared by the Confederation of Real Estate Association of India (CREDAI) and Jones Lang LaSalle’s Indian Real Estate Transparency Index (IRETI).

There are many factors that make Andhra the best player in the lot, says IRETI. However, almost everywhere, services related to land records and registration are perceived to be corrupt, and AP is no exception. “Starting a business takes less time, costs less and has fewer procedures in Andhra Pradesh. However, real estate services related to land records and registration are highly corrupt. Moreover, the state is yet to repeal the Rent Control Act, which keeps rents artificially low in old buildings due to which landlords refuse to renovate,” says the report.

Tamil Nadu rates highly on market information, urban reforms and property rights. But services related to records and water supplies are corrupt, according to Transparency International. Registration of property is also a cumbersome task. Increasing demographic pressure on the environment can severely affect things in the long-term.

Maharashtra has put an impressive show on some fronts like availability of market information, providing a progressive business environment and initiating reforms in urban local bodies—where it has fared best among the 20 states. However, it falls way behind in ensuring inclusive development (10th) and protection of property rights (16th). “Enforcement of contracts is difficult. Repealment of the Rent Control Act is still pending. Air pollution continues to be a concern,” says the IRETI report.

According to the CREDAI-JLL report, Gujarat, which occupies the 4th position in the list, offers the best protection of property rights and provides a better business environment than its neighbour, has performed badly in providing inclusive development (14th).

“Property markets in developing nations are largely inefficient compared with those in developed nations, primarily due to the dismal levels of transparency in the real estate ecosystem. The prime reasons for higher costs in non-transparent markets are lack of information, corruption, multiplicity or ambiguity in taxation and lengthy procedures,” the report says.

Source: http://truthdive.com/2011/12/16/tamil-nadu-andhra-pradesh-most-transparent-in-real-estate.html

Realty awaits quick solution to Telangana stalemate

The renewed 'T' agitation in Hyderabad has pushed the city's realty sector into a state of limbo yet again. If the temporary shutdown of registration offices has jeopardised cash flow in to near-complete projects in the city, the transport strike has severely hit work at construction sites. Even delivery of raw materials has also been partially affected, say builders who fear that the protest, if prolonged, can cast a shadow on their sales too.
What has added to the concern of the industry is the timing of the agitation. With the festive September-October months usually considered profitable months for the sector, developers fear that the unrest could seriously impact their annual turnovers.
"Sales have anyway been slow for sometime now. If the matter does not get resolved anytime soon, the situation will only get worse," said Suraj Prasad Agarwal, chairman and managing director of Landmark Group of Companies (it has a realty arm called Landmark Builders), whose four projects at Shamirpet, Nizampet, Uppal and Marredpally are all awaiting customers.
Even construction activity at these properties, over the last three days, has come to a complete standstill, thanks to the RTC strike. "At least 70% of my workers have been unable to report to work," said Agarwal, expressing concern over the fate of his residential complexes.
Though the fear of failing deadlines has become a matter of concern for most of the builders, the stalling of registrations (due to registration offices being shut) is giving them sleepless nights. This has resulted in momentary freeze on bank loans, which in turn hit the ongoing work at construction sites. "Banks do not disburse the final loan amount to a customer before the property is registered. So, with registration offices shut because of the turmoil, buyers have not been able to make their last installment payments to us. This has led to a severe cash crunch," said Anand Reddy, executive director, PBEL Property Development adding, "There are at least 30-40 registrations in my property worth a few crores of rupees that have got held up now."
And this is true of several others who have completed more than 80% of their projects. "Close to 85% of our work is done. Since registrations are not taking place, there is a delay in delivery," said another leading developer from the city on condition of anonymity.
Predictably, the builder community is eagerly awaiting a solution to this stalemate and feel that the industry can be revived only if the 'T' concern is addressed at the earliest.
"If electricity and transport issues haunt the sector for too long, it could impact sales in the future. There is, therefore, an urgent need to resolve the Telangana crisis," said C Sekhar Reddy, president, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association (CREDAI - Hyderabad chapter).

Government Projects Infrastructure / Industrial / Housing in and Around Hyderabad - Project Schedule in 2007. Every thing went for a SIX NOW :(

Project Implementation Stage Location & Impact
Outer Ring Road	Phase - I to be completed by mid 2008 Phase - II work to begin by December, 2007	Suburban area s; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around city
International Airport	Work in progress. Scheduled to be completed by summer of 2008	Shamshabad; initiates new infrastructure and development projects & residential zones at Bangalore road
Fab City	Infrastructure by APIIC in development; Industrial activity to begin by late 2008	Srisailam Road; Much hype is already created where real infrastructure & development holds the key
Hardware Park	Land procurement & infrastructure development Work in progress	Srisailam Road - Sagar Road; limited impact because of low activity & land acquisition problems
Textile City	work yet to be commenced	Cheguru Bangalore Road; limited impact around Timmapur - Kottur Zone
APIIC Commercial Zone	Infrastructure development from early 2008	Gandipet Road; Creates greater impact on land rates in surrounding areas & New residential zones
Internet City	Location & work schedule yet to be finalised	Koheda, Vijayawada Road; limited impact
Raheja IT Park & Infosys SEZ	Work in progress; to be completed by 2009	Annojiguda - pocaram belt - Warangal Road; Creates new commercial & residential development activity at Warangal Road
Bio - Tech Park	II & III Phase work in progress at Genome Valley. To be completed by 2009	Turkapally @ Rajeev Rahadari; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around Shameerpet - Turkapally zone
Textile Park & IIC Commercial Zone	Development work in progress; to be completed by 2009	Gundla Pochampally, Medchal Road; New commercial & residentia projects will be developed at Medchal Road
Tellapur Township	Infrastructure in development; Work to commence by early 2008	Tellapur, Old / New Mumbai Road; new high-end residential more projects will be developed around the HUDA / TSI Township zone
APIIC Commercial Zone	To be finalised	Rayadurgam & Manikonda, Old Mumbai Road
Rajeev Swagruha Mega Township	Work to commence by early 2008	Near Pocharam, Warangal Road. Limited impact
MLR Industry & Toopran Commercial Zone	Infrastructure development in progress	Near Toopran, Medchal Road. Limited impact

Urban farming / City agriculture

Urban or city agriculture / farming refers to any form of agriculture (excluding gardening) practiced within cities. It may or may not be organic, but most instances of urban farming can at the least be classified as 'sustainable'.

In India, most urban farming is carried out on private land for private consumption. The trend worldwide is however different. Public as well as private land is used, and produce is mostly sold in nearby markets. While the idea does not seem special or unique, especially for those already practicing roof-top or kitchen gardening, the significance of urban farming has been recognised as a sustainable and desirable practice worldwide for various reasons.

Besides producing food, urban farming is also job- and income-generating and enables food safety and food security for its growers as well as consumers. In addition, consumers receive fresh and quality produce on a regular basis, usually perishables like fruits and vegetables. Since the produce does not require long-distance transportation, it is also energy-saving. In countries such as Cuba, urban farming has not just been a success, but is also extremely important for both food security in the city as well as in providing employment.

The importance and requirement for urban agriculture will only grow over the coming years as transportation costs and distances keep increasing. With the corresponding increase in produce age, food quality will also steadily reduce. The only requirement for urban agriculture to succeed in India is freeing up land that can be used for cultivation.

To know more about urban farming or city farming and its relevance to food security and organic farming, you may follow these links :

http://www.evesindia.com/home/eves_home_garden.html

http://www.foodfirst.org/media/index.php?keyword=Urban+Agriculture