NCR demands better infrastructure growth
While Delhi-NCR is set to expand more widely with inclusion of three more districts of Bharatpur (in Rajasthan), Mahendragarh and Bhiwani in Haryana, it is very important that the authorities need to have a proper plan for infrastructure development too.
After the inclusion of the three new districts, the total population in the National Capital Region (NCR) would be presently around 5.12 crore. The total area will be increased by 34 percent to 45,602 sq km. According to the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB), the expansion will help in distribution of economic activities that will reduce pressure on Delhi with regard to various fields including social and economic infrastructure.
But this has been proved false in many areas in NCR other than Noida, Gurgaon and Greater Noida. Even though the areas are getting cheaper loans as they have the NCR tag, the poor infrastructure in areas like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Hapur narrate a different story.
Apart from physical and social infrastructure, the law and order in the areas outside Delhi is the next big issue. There is lack of coordination among the various states which are being part of the NCR.
It is likely that the inclusion of the three areas in NCR will surely pave way to hike in prices of properties in those areas. Moreover, most of the developers and realtors in those areas are likely to attract investors to invest in their projects in a hope that the prices are going to appreciate higher. Many innocent buyers, without understanding the concept of âno infrastructure, no real estateâ become a prey of speculative price-hike of properties.
The decision of the NCRPB is expected to add more burden to existing infrastructure, said, Manu Garg, Vice-President of CREDAI. The territory expansion process as well as infrastructure development should go hand in hand in order to decongest the national capital from various civic issues, he added.
Navin Raheja, CMD of Raheja Developer, said that the move will bring in faster development in the three districts only if the development is carried on in a planned way. The proposed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) will impact the regional economic growth of these areas, reduce travel time, cut down traffic issues and decongest highways. He said that, the move would result in more number of satellite towns, fast-track infrastructure growth, rise in investments, industrial growth and more employment avenues in the new districts.
Many developers allege that the NCR is already hugely expanded. Unless better transport facilities like rail-based rapid transit system is provided, it is difficult for people to commute to the central part of the NCR. First the government has to aim towards infrastructure development of the existing NCR towns as it is of much priority in areas like Bhiwadi, Faridabad and Manesar.
Real estate experts are worried that many fraudsters may set into action to attract buyers with false promises and speculative prices. Therefore, home buyers and end users should deal very carefully while dealing with real estate transactions in the newly added areas.
