NCR needs improved infrastructure for better life: Delhi/NCR The National Capital Region (NCR) has been further expanded with the inclusion of three more districts — Mahendragarh, Bhiwani (both in Haryana), and Bharatpur (in Rajasthan). This takes the number of districts in the NCR to 19, with the total area increasing by 34% — to 45,887sq km. The total population of expanded NCR will now be 5.12 crore. The NCR Planning Board, which took the decision under the chairmanship of the union urban development minister, claimed the expansion would help in dispersal of economic activities and reduce pressure on Delhi’s health, educational and economic infrastructure. However, such benefits have not yielded result in the existing NCR areas — barring Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurgaon. Despite the cheap loans that come to a district with an NCR membership, the lack of infrastructure and planned growth in cities like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Hapur says a different story. Besides physical and social infrastructure, the law and order situation just outside Delhi remains the biggest issue. Despite being part of the NCR, the various districts in different states lack coordination between administrations. However, the decision will certainly lead to appreciation in the prices of real estate in the newly-included regions. The NCR tag could prove to be a goldmine for realtors and builders in the areas, as they will lure investors to put money here in the hope of appreciation in the prices of real estate, despite the fact that infrastructure remains pathetic. Navin Raheja, CMD of Raheja Developer, said that the decision will certainly assist in faster development of these districts, provided the development is done in a planned way. There is a dire need for improving the basic infrastructure here, he said. The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) planned in the NCR will drive regional economic growth of these areas, reduce traffic, travel time and decongest highways; he also said that the expansion of the NCR will help in creating new satellite towns and will push faster infrastructural growth, new investments, industrial growth, and more employment avenues in these new cities. Manu Garg, vice-president of real estate developers body, Credai (NCR), and also director of real estate firm LandCraft Developers, said that the announcement of the expansion on the NCR is just a cosmetic step by the government if it is not followed with a fundamental approach to develop infrastructure in the existing NCR regions comprising Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Kundli. Garg said expansion is not a solution, rather it would add an additional burden to existing infrastructure. The expansion of territory and infrastructure development should go hand in hand in order to decongest the NCR from traffic jams and other civic problems. Sushant Muttreja, MD of Cosmic Group, also said that the expansion of the Delhi NCR is not a well-planned decision by the government, as it is of no use until and unless well-planned infrastructure is also developed side by side. Muttreja said that there is no adequate infrastructure even in the existing NCR regions and expansion is not a solution. Many developers argue that the NCR is already hugely expanded. Unless rail-based rapid transit system is developed, people will find it difficult to commute to the central part of the region from these far-flung areas. Sumit Berry, MD of BDI Group, said that the government should first concentrate on developing infrastructure in the existing NCR towns. He said a lot of infrastructural development is needed in places like Bhiwadi and Manesar, which can help people to enjoy life better. “I would have been happy if the NCR Planning Board had announced some development plans for the regions already falling in the NCR,” Berry says. Rajesh Yadav, spokesman of Credai-Bhiwadi says: “The point is when end users are not even going to these far off places (Bhiwadi and Manesar), why will they go to newer areas recently added to the NCR map!” In fact, it is feared that fly-by-night developers might swing into action to lure buyers by the promise of long-term appreciation. End users and investors must keep their eyes open before falling into the trap. Unless the government has a firm plan to develop infrastructure in these new areas, investing here is not a good idea. Source: Times Property, The Times of India, Delhi/NCR
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 05:55:03 +0000