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Clock ticks for builders, developers in South Bopal

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 11:09 administrator
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Indian Express    29.06.2010

Clock ticks for builders, developers in South Bopal

Express News Service Tags : urban development department, udd Posted: Tue Jun 29 2010, 04:05 hrs

Ahmedabad:  Deadline to file objections to new zoning plan expires on June 30, builders fear heavy losses if UDD sticks to its system

The builders and property developers in South Bopal are waiting with a baited breath for the final decision of the state Urban Development Department (UDD) regarding zoning system that halted the construction activities in this fastest-growing township on the outskirts of the city two months ago.

According to builders, a large number of those involved in construction activities as also buyers submitted objections with the UDD about its notification in April this year that changed the zoning pattern as suggested by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA).

As the deadline for submitting objections expires on June 30 and after which the state government would take a decision, builders are in a state of panic because many of them have already reached mid-stage of their projects. If the UDD remains adamant with its previous notification, builders might suffer huge losses as they have invested huge amounts in their projects.

President of Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers(GIHED) Suresh Patel said the builders had gone ahead with the construction after AUDA demarcated R1and R2 zones, allowing 12-storyed buildings in R1 zone and four-storyed buildings in R2 zone. The zoning, according to him, was done after consultation with all the stakeholders, including the local landowners.

But when AUDA submitted zone plans for approval by the UDD, the latter swapped R1 with R2 and also issued a notice to stop all constructions. This sent developers into a tizzy. They submitted objections with the department. Patel said that bringing changes into the plan after construction had begun was not the right way. The fluctuating decisions, he said, would harm the builders as well as public at large. He urged the state government to find a suitable way out to ensure that no one suffered. P L Sharma, secretary (town planning) in the state UDD, said he had received a large number of objections from the builders and a final decision would be taken by the state government.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 11:10
 

AMC to mark unsafe buildings along yatra route

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 09:07 administrator
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The Times of India      29.06.2010

AMC to mark unsafe buildings along yatra route

TNN, Jun 29, 2010, 03.02am IST
 
AHMEDABAD: With a fortnight to go for rath yatra, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will be doing a fresh survey of dangerous buildings along the route — from Jagannath Mandir, Jamlapur to Rukamini Mandir, Saraspur.

Interestingly, AMC has not done any comprehensive pre-monsoon survey of old buildings and structures in the city. AMC till date preferred to function with a list of unsafe buildings that was drawn up in the aftermath of 2001 earthquake.

Finally, good sense seems to have prevailed over the civic body to relook at the condition of old buildings in the walled city. At present, there are more than 150 buildings on the route which are declared unsafe. Deputy municipal commissioner, Central zone, IK Patel said, "The survey will be conducted to find buildings which are not safe for use." Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Service officials say that these old buildings, particularly in the walled city, are disaster waiting to happen.

"We have already served notices to owners of unsafe buildings and asked them to take appropriate measures to safeguard the structure. Also, the notices will be pasted on the dilapidated structures," added Patel. AMC authorities are also co-ordinating with the police department to prevent crowd gatherings near these structures. Only 10 to 15 of the declared-unsafe buildings are unoccupied. Patel said, "We have strictly asked the inhabitants of these buildings not to allow any gatherings on roof tops and balconies."

The civic body identified unsafe buildings in areas like Jamalpur, Raikhad, Khadia, Dariapur, Shahpur and Kalupur — only to ensure that none of the buildings collapses during the yatra.

The civic body is also clearing up the debris on the route.
 

HMDA finds it tough to sell its land in city

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:06 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle      29.06.2010

HMDA finds it tough to sell its land in city

June 29th, 2010

Hyderabad, June 27: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), which was an elite brand name in the national real estate sector until just a few years ago, is now struggling to sell even small plots in and around Hyderabad.

To boost sales and attract prospective buyers, the HMDA is now offering people who buy plots bank loans, that too, at a lower rate of interest than the prevailing rate of interest being offered by other banks.
The HMDA has tied up with HUDCO, which will provide loans at an eight per cent interest rate.

The loan can be obtained either for purchase of land or for the construction of a house on the land. As many as 229 plots of various sizes, ranging between 250 sq yards and 2,000 sq yards will be put up for auction through e-bidding on July 12. Plots are available at Asifnagar, Miyapur, Mushk Mahal near Attapur, Nallagandla, Nandagiri Hills, Ramachandrapuram and Tellapur; the last date for submission of tenders is July 9.

The finance advisor of the HMDA, Mr G.K. Rao, said that the rate of interest from HUDCO will be at eight per cent for the first three years and thereafter; it will be on a floating basis. This is on lower side as other banks like even the SBI are offering home loans at over eight per cent for only first one year, after which it is on a floating basis. “It’s like a double bonanza to the prospective buyers with lower interest rate on one side and a clear title of land on the other,” said Mr Rao.

He also said that even the offset prices have been brought down as per the market value. However, builders and those wanting to buy smaller plots disagree with the HMDA. They said that the offset price, which is Rs 10,000 per sq yard for a majority of the plots, is expensive.

 
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