The Hindu 24.01.2011
‘City needs an updated master plan'
The district branch of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) has warned that the absence of updated city master plans will stunt the development of urban areas in Kerala.
CREDAI president Roy Peter, secretary general S.N. Reghuchandran Nair and secretary R.Rajesh told mediapersons at an interactive session here recently that the absence of master plans, with zones earmarked for different purposes, would lead to haphazard and unbalanced development.
Lacking in experience
“The master plan for Thiruvananthapuram is more than 40 years old. This has resulted in unnecessary controls on construction activities. Only an updated master plan with clear land use maps can ensure balanced development. The Chief Town Planner's office, which is responsible for preparing master plans, faces a paucity of experienced hands. The solution is to outsource the plan preparation to an external agency,” Mr. Nair said.
The confederation warned that the poor availability and skyrocketing prices of building materials was pushing the construction industry towards a crisis.
10 lakh houses needed
“The shortage and rising price of river sand, cement and steel is a serious challenge for the sector at a time when the demand for houses is peaking. The State Planning Board estimates that Kerala will need 10 lakh houses over the next five years,” Mr. Peter said.
The frequent amendments to building rules, shortage of skilled labour and the failure to improve infrastructure like roads, electricity, drinking water supply and sewerage are other factors that had hampered real estate development in the State.
According to CREDAI, almost 30 per cent of the investment in the construction sector goes to the government as taxes. Yet, the government had failed to ensure proper development of supporting infrastructure, it observed.
Labour shortage
A major problem faced by most builders was the acute shortage of labourers. “While a section of skilled labour migrated to the Gulf, others have turned to more lucrative jobs in the domestic sector. Migrant labourers lack hygiene and demand high wages,” he added.
The confederation said the amendments to the building rules made in 2010 had dealt a heavy blow to the construction sector, leading to a fall in the number of applications for building permits. It urged the government to ensure timely revision of building rules taking into consideration, the demands and circumstances in Kerala, availability of land and basic facilities.
Industry tag
CREDAI called on the government to recognise the construction sector as an industry, demarcate housing zones and develop them with private participation. The government should ensure supply of construction materials and take steps to control prices.
Realtors say the 40-year-old plan has put unnecessary curbs on construction activities.
