India must adopt single window clearance for housing: C&W

Global property consultant Cushman & Wakefield today recommended a single-window clearance for housing projects to tackle rapid urbanisation.
"Execution of projects is one of India's main weakness; it truly fuels the culture of slower implementation. India must move towards a single window clearance so that 18-24 months are not spent on getting permissions," C&W and PHD Chamber said in a joint report.
The consultant said that "political will, action and implementation" were key factors to handle urbanisation. Urban India would have 600 million people by 2031, an increase of 59 per cent from 2011, according to the report 'Challenges and Opportunities for Housing Sector in Urban India'.

Besides single window clearance, C&W listed out several measures to tackle rapid urbanisation including innovative use of land, adequate funding, doing away with Rent Control Act, promotion of rental housing, incentives on affordable housing, credit access to people falling in EWS/LIG categories.
Speaking at the event, Delhi Development Authority Chief Vigilance Officer Sunil Gulati favoured vertical development and rental housing to boost supply of residential properties.
"Almost 10-15 per cent of urban properties are vacant. Huge investment is blocked," he said, while pitching for the amendment of the Renet Control Act.

Gulati also suggested doing away with various approvals to avoid delays.

DLF Group Executive Director Rajeev Talwar rued that "for 70 years, we have not been able to provide housing".
He said the FAR (floor-area ratio) is not a "dirty word" and favoured increase in FAR to boost housing supply.
The floor area ratio (FAR) is the principal bulk regulation controlling the size of buildings. FAR is the ratio of total building floor area to the area of the plot.
Talwar also stressed on giving impetus to infrastructure development.