[ecis2016.org] While the communication around the government’s ‘Housing for All’ scheme may seem attractive, achieving tangible results will require a clear roadmap
Although the idea of providing affordable housing for the masses has been proposed by every government since independence, it has never been accomplished. This time, the Modi government has set a target to achieve the goal by 2022. However, huge challenges remain.
You are reading: Challenges to be overcome to achieve ‘Housing for All-2022’
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Getamber Anand, president of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) National, maintains that such a huge task cannot be achieved, without the participation of the private sector. “Margins in this space are very low or negligible. Consequently, the government should provide fiscal incentives to the private players who operate in this space, as is done for private players in the SEZs. Even a small incentive, will encourage the private sector to participate aggressively, to roll out sizeable housing stock over the next three to four years,” he adds.
Massive investment outlays required
The ‘Housing for All’ objective requires huge investment in infrastructure, a large-scale skill development programme, and tremendous financial support, for timely implementation. Innovative and aggressive steps are required without which, the goal cannot be accomplished. The goal of this mission cannot be accomplished through a mere ‘bricks and sticks’ approach, cautions Prof Anil Sawhney, associate dean and director, School of Construction, RICS School of Built Environment. “It is encouraging to see that the government has included the much anticipated ‘technology’ sub-mission. Without addressing design and planning issues, innovative technologies and materials in housing, sustainability and disaster resistance, our mission would have remained incomplete,” he feels.
Experts point out that delivery of housing stock does not depend on finance, availability of land, and regulation alone. Execution and efficient delivery of affordable housing projects, are equally important. Unfortunately, execution is often given less attention. Its success will also depend on improving urban infrastructure, speeding up the process of obtaining approvals and targeting the actual beneficiary.
Boost to employment and connected sectors
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The ‘Housing for All’ scheme will increase employment opportunities and boost growth of the services sector, predicts Dr Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist, India Ratings & Research. “Sectors supplying crucial inputs to the construction sector, such as cement and iron and steel, will also grow.The growth of other sectors will depend on the strength of the forward and backward linkages of the construction sector, with the rest of the economy. As the output of sectors supplying inputs to the construction sector increases, it will increase the demand for goods and services in the economy, due to higher income generation. The biggest beneficiary of the scheme will be Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra and West Bengal. These are the top three states, in terms of housing shortage and increased construction activities will help these states’ economies to grow,” he asserts.
Looking at the existing infrastructure and supply capacity, if the ‘Make in India’ scheme doesn’t succeed, then, ‘Housing for All’ could require huge imports to fulfil its goals.
Source: https://ecis2016.org/.
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Source: https://ecis2016.org
Category: Lifestyle
