Maharashtra’s Call: Real Estate Sector as Engine for Affordable Housing

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde delivered a powerful message at the installation ceremony of Manish Jain as president of Credai-Pune, urging the government and industry to work hand-in-hand to empower the real estate sector. Shinde’s vision is clear: to deliver economical housing for all, making Maharashtra an investment magnet through bold reforms and robust infrastructure.

Real Estate: The Backbone of Maharashtra’s Growth

Speaking at the event, Shinde highlighted the sector’s resilience and contribution, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Despite reduced stamp duty, the real estate sector stepped up, ensuring remarkable government revenues,” he noted. Drawing from his experience in Mumbai, Shinde emphasized that Pune deserves similar growth and transformation.

Reforms for a Brighter Future

Shinde outlined key reforms essential for progress:

• Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR): Streamlining approvals and fostering transparency
• Stamp Duty Relief: Boosting affordability for homebuyers
• Infrastructure Upgrade: Enhancing city image and attracting investment

“Poor infrastructure maligns a city’s image,” Shinde cautioned, stressing the need for continuous improvement.

Credai-Pune’s New Leadership and Advocacy

Manish Jain, the new Credai-Pune president, presented a roadmap for reform. He called for:

• Interdepartmental Integration: Concurrent processing of building permissions and environmental clearances to accelerate project starts
• Phased Town Planning Schemes: Piloting two schemes for evaluation before scaling up, ensuring structured, impactful outcomes
• Developer Protection: Stronger collaboration with police to safeguard against harassment and blackmail

Jain highlighted that nearly 90% of developers’ time is spent on obtaining sanctions, while only 10% goes into actual construction—a clear call for streamlined governance.

A Partnership for Progress

Shinde promised to address Credai’s concerns and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to development. “Our goal is simple: development, development, and more development—and Credai will be a key partner in that journey,” he declared.

With a focus on collaboration, reform, and empowerment, Maharashtra is poised to unlock the full potential of its real estate sector, delivering affordable homes and shaping a brighter future for its citizens.