AHMEDABAD: Ahmedabad’s skyline is undergoing a transformation, with more than 150 redevelopment projects finalized in the past two years. The push for new and modern homes is stronger than ever, as residents of aging housing societies increasingly embrace redevelopment. Yet, despite the momentum, hurdles remain — ranging from hesitant residents and unrealistic expectations to market slowdowns and policy uncertainties.
Jitendra Shah, president of the Urban Redevelopment Housing Society Welfare Association, said, “The city has seen an uptick in redevelopment deals since the state govt doubled jantri rates in 2023. In just two years, over 150 redevelopment projects have been finalized, and nearly 600 societies are currently in negotiations with builders.”
Areas like Paldi, Naranpura, Navrangpura, Vasna, Memnagar, Vastrapur, and Vadaj have seen the maximum redevelopment deals.
However, he added that recent months have seen a slowdown due to weak demand in the real estate sector. “If the govt does not de-link premium FSI from jantri, many projects will become unviable and stall indefinitely.”
Shah pointed out another major roadblock: residents clinging to past promises. Inexperienced builders, eager to bag projects, once made grand offers that never materialised. Now, when credible developers approach societies, residents expect similar lucrative deals, making negotiations difficult. “At least 200 societies are stuck because of these unrealistic expectations,” he said.
Another complication is the varied expectations among society members, said Kartik Soni, a developer currently managing five redevelopment projects. “Most residents are eager because they get a bigger, better home at the same address. But some demand additional space because they previously regularized extra construction under the impact fee. Others want specific builders or have concerns over apartment allotment, leading to further delays.”
