DELHI/NCR: Senior developers said that home buyers waiting to own their dream home in Delhi-NCR may have to wait another 3 months due to a ban on construction activities in the region to combat air pollution.
The Environmental Pollution Authority (EPCA), imposed a construction ban last Tuesday until new decisions are made.
Two-Three months delay
Developers said that even if the ban is lifted soon, the reorganization of the workforce will be a difficult task in many projects in the National Capital Region, which have already been disfigured by delays, and will have to advance its deadline.
"The one-day ban is almost similar to ten days," said Getamper Anand, head of ATS Infratech-based developer Noida. "The biggest problem is the organization of construction workers, who leave once the ban is imposed."
"We expect the construction ban to delay at least 2-3 months in deadline," said Parveen Jain, vice president of the National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco).
According to Anarock Property Consultants, more than 540,000 housing units are in various stages of construction at NCR. Of these, 200,000 units were chronically delayed as they were launched in 2013 or earlier. This means that the construction ban will not affect them much, as they have been postponed for a long time.
EPCA previously banned the construction and operation of hot mixing plants and stone crushers from 6 pm to 6 am from October 26 to 30. The ban was extended until 10 am on October 31, before the EPCA applied a complete building ban on November 5.
"Delays can be reduced, but projects nearing completion will definitely slow down," said Manoj Gore, managing director of the Noida-based Gore Group. "In this case, the buyer will go to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and the reason for the developer delay will not be accepted. In such cases, developers must have additional time to complete the project."
