Now, low-cost housing with parking in Haryana

Now, low-cost housing with parking in Haryana
The Financial Express, August 26, 2009, Page 3

Preeti Parashar, Chandigarh

Dreaming of owning a parking space along with a low-cost flat? A recent policy initiative by the Haryana government for low cost and affordable dwelling units makes it possible.

According to the new policy for providing sustainable housing to lower and middle income category, a minimum of 10% of the total parking in the building would be provided to the low cost housing category flats. The parking space would be provided based on one equivalent car space.

The government has fixed prices of the flats between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 16 lakh in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panchkula and will allow 50% ground coverage area extending it from 35% to the private developers.

Interestingly, as per the zoning plan there would be no restriction on height of the buildings. Haryana is the first state to introduce the policy and is yet to see whether it will attract huge investment by private developers. The scheme is open for private developers till November 20.

“Under the policy private colonisers applying for licences in the state will have to follow the guidelines of this policy. The developers will have to set aside 10% of the total dwelling units in the project for the economically weaker section (EWS), 20% for the group housing and 10% for the low cost housing segment,” a senior official of HUDA told FE.

The policy features a relaxed density norm which allows more units per acre. A 10-acre plot will be able to house over 1,200 dwelling units as against 450 units at present.

About 20,000 flats will be developed in Gurgaon-Manesar urban complex and 5,000 flats in urban estate of Faridabad.

Under the affordable housing category, Rs 16 lakh per flat has been fixed for Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex and Rs 14 lakh in periphery controlled area of Panchkula and Faridabad-Ballabgarh Complex. Flats will be available at a selling price of Rs.12.50 lakh for the rest. This price will be inclusive of land cost, construction cost and all other levies and charges like external development charges and infrastructure development charges.

Despite of the sector-wise priority the allotment of flats for EWS will not be less than 15% of the total number of dwelling units. Moreover, the minimum area will not be less than 25 square metres (carpet area) for EWS flat and 48 square metres (carpet area) for affordable unit. The EWS flats will be for below poverty line (BPL) families.

However, Class-IV employees of Haryana government departments, its boards and corporations and autonomous organisations will also be eligible for allotment under this category.

However the policy puts a restriction on reselling of the allotted flats within five years of getting the possession and the breach of this will attract penalty equivalent to 100% of selling price of the flat.