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I don’t think demand and supply in the housing segment has declined during the downturn, says Ram Bahadur, vice-chairman of GDA, in a talk with A K Tiwary
People who have witnessed the pace of development in Ghaziabad are vouching for the fact that the region will soon surpass the development happening in the two other NCR towns — Gurgaon and Noida. Both commercial and residential segments are registering an equal amount of constructions. From world-class integrated townships to malls, the options available for both investors and buyers in Ghaziabad are tremendous. Ram Bahadur expatiates on the future planning of Ghaziabad.
What is the future action plan for Ghaziabad?
Despite the earlier economic boom and the consequent boost to realty and infrastructure in Ghaziabad, there is still ample room for further development. If we want people to move to places near Delhi we will have to provide them with connectivity. Do that and no one will want to clog Delhi! For a long time, Ghaziabad hardly had anything to offer by way of entertainment, quality education or health care. One had to venture across the Yamuna to Central or South Delhi to meet all one’s needs, be they for entertainment or for education.
But, the situation has come a full circle with people from Central and South Delhi hopping over across Yamuna, flocking this place for shopping and fun. Today, Ghaziabad has come a long way. An increasing number of malls, multiplexes, amusement parks and entertainment hubs, as well as a plethora of wellplanned townships, have put the region in a different league altogether.
What are the major developmental works being undertaken to improve congestion in the city?
Ghaziabad is emerging as a popular destination for middle class urbanities. The new Ghaziabad being showcased in localities like Indirapuram, Vaishali, Kaushambi and Vasundhara are developing fast. These are an alternative to Delhi. Commonwealth Game is also helping fasttrack development. Undoubtedly, developmental work has not yet taken off to ease congestion in the main Ghaziabad. Most of the development is taking place in the new Ghaziabad. Proper development and improved infrastructure is a big task. To ease out traffic problems, we are planning a number of flyovers at major T-points, chowks and entry points.
In these times of a general downturn, are people willing to invest and procure homes trans-Hindon areas like Indirapuram and Vaishali?
Even during these recession times, residential rates have registered a 60% to 70% appreciation - particularly in the last couple of years. The UP government has already announced a special discount in circle rates for lease deeds. I don’t think demand and supply of housing segments has declined during the downturn - it is almost constant.
A prime residential property in the city commands as good a price as what anybody can get in the national capital. From urban housing, social infrastructure to multiplexes, malls, educational centres, the city has been able to establish a strong image as a residential suburban in the last three years. As per our plans, the prime residential area of Indirapuram, that needs no introduction, is being extended by 229 acres.
Another residential development project, Madhuban, is in the works, which is a new development of GDA covering 1,200 acres near localities like Raj Nagar and Kavi Nagar. The commercial realty in the city demands anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per sq ft depending upon the location and facilities tagged along with the space. With BPO and KPO culture gaining prominence in the region, the requirement for office space has also gone up manifold pushing prices through the roof.
What is GDA doing for better infrastructure?
Metro connectivity is a priority - the Metro line between Anand Vihar and Sector 4 in Vaishali. Around 40% of the total project cost of Rs 975 crore has already been deposited by GDA and the remaining 60% will be deposited in the near future. Municipal Corporation, Jal Nigam and the district administration are doing well where infrastructure is concerned, and things are set to change for the better. Flyovers, expressways, wider roads, regular water supply, advanced drainage and sewage facilities are the other areas being looked into and being spruced up to meet the increasing demands of the city. In 2003, Ghaziabad entered a new phase with intense planning and implementation of city-level infrastructure. While road infrastructure saw the planning of over 17 flyovers, including 3 cloverleaf ones, to be implemented over 5 years, efforts are underway to get 50 cusecs of Ganga water in addition to the 15 cusecs capacity added in 2004. The city will benefit from the 6/8 lane expressways linking Delhi to Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahar. The Metro is already there and will be developed in 3 phases costing Rs 3,000 crore for better connectivity. All these 3 expressways as well as the Delhi Metro peripheral, planned on the lines of the Paris peripheral, are part of the new developments in Ghaziabad.
Keeping the 2010 Commonwealth Games in view, what are GDA’s plans to make the city more attractive to visitors?
GDA has big plans for 2010 Commonwealth Games. Apart from two big fivestar hotel projects in the city, the government is determined to upgrade the Anand Vihar railway station to improve connectivity to the city. The mega-infrastructure is being supported by a massive surge in the income of Ghaziabad Development Authority, running into a few thousand crores in the last two fiscal years. Along with all these rapid developments in all segments, an equal stress is to have sustainable and planned development. For the same, government is encouraging tree plantation and energy efficient buildings and technologies during construction. For the records, in the last five years, over 5 lakh trees were added in Ghaziabad to make it an ecofriendly city. As far as power is concerned, Reliance Power’s 10,000 MW power project is coming up 10 kilometre from Ghaziabad and is expected to give 100% uninterrupted power supply.
Courtesy:- TOI dt:- 08-08-09
