Minister Khattar's Plan: Protecting Homebuyers and Reviving Stalled Projects
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address delays, stalled projects, and misleading advertisements in the real estate sector, ensuring faster possession and greater transparency for homebuyers.
Real EstateUrban DevelopmentHomebuyersReraTransparencyReal Estate NewsJun 27, 2025
Speaking at the Building Bharat: Real Estate, Real Impact event hosted by Republic Media Network, Khattar shared a detailed roadmap to improve transparency, protect consumers, and speed up housing delivery.
“This is not just about buildings; this is about building Bharat,” he said, outlining how new projects are transforming both large metros and smaller towns.
Khattar pointed out that India’s urban population, currently around 35%, is projected to cross 50% by 2047. This shift means more people will need homes, infrastructure, and public services.
“When the population comes to cities, they need all kinds of facilities—housing for the rich, the middle class, and the poor,” he said.
Housing remains a priority for the government. The minister highlighted that in the past five years, 1.4 crore urban houses have been built or are under construction under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Looking ahead, the government plans to build another 1 crore houses in the next five years and 8 crore new houses over the next decade.
“This cannot be done only by the government,” he said. “Private sector workers must also come forward.”
The minister acknowledged that delays have hurt many homebuyers and developers. “If there was a two-year target, some people have not received their homes in five or even ten years,” he said.
“Some projects have become unviable; some have ended up in court cases—RERA, NCLT, everywhere.” The central government has allocated a separate budget to help revive stalled and distressed projects through measures like one-time settlement schemes.
“This is a big problem, and we have to solve it,” he said.
Khattar also highlighted the issue of cash transactions in real estate. “The government wants to avoid cash dealings. Everything should be transparent,” he said.
He explained that hidden cash transactions have fueled corruption that ultimately affects ordinary citizens the most. “If this corruption has to be stopped, it has to be by abolishing cash dealings,” he said.
Another area of concern is misleading advertisements by some developers. “Because of such misleading advertisements, the consumer gets trapped,” he noted, calling for stricter checks to ensure claims made in promotions are accurate.
According to Khattar, funding this scale of development will require significant investment. He noted that in the 2025–26 budget, more than ₹11 lakh crores are planned for infrastructure. “Our investors have come in large numbers. But they will come only when they get the ease of doing business,” he stressed.
He said investors look for clear policies, timely permissions, single-window clearances, and reliable access to land and electricity. “All these things count,” he added. “We are evaluating them in every state.”
Khattar said cities must be planned not only for practicality but also for identity and heritage. He cited examples from Chandigarh, Delhi’s Lutyens zone, and Gujarat’s GIFT City. “The architecture of our cities and buildings, the place of art, the sense of Indian-ness—builders should keep these things in mind.”
He mentioned the Central Vista project as an example of ambitious, modern government infrastructure. “In some countries, there is no building like Central Vista,” he said.
India has built the third-largest metro network in the world, with over 1,000 km of lines operating and another 1,500 km under construction. “We will move ahead of the USA,” Khattar said.
To improve urban mobility, the government is focusing on last-mile connectivity, ensuring people can easily get to and from metro stations. “With a click of a button, a vehicle should reach your home, take you to the metro, and after getting off, take you to your office,” he explained.
High-density development near metro stations is also being encouraged through new policies.
Khattar stressed that building modern cities is not the job of any single stakeholder, “This is not the work of one person, one state, one city, or one organisation. It is the work of everyone.”
He said the government remains open to learning from international best practices, noting partnerships such as the MOU with Spain for sustainable urban development.
While the government has implemented reforms like the RERA Act to protect buyers, Khattar acknowledged that more needs to be done, “RERA has benefited consumers a lot. Still, there are some difficulties. In the coming time, we will remove them.”
India’s urban transformation is a long-term effort that spans affordable housing, infrastructure investment, transparency, and innovation. As cities expand, the minister said, the aim is to create places that are sustainable, inclusive, and modern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship program of the Indian government aimed at providing affordable housing to all by 2022. It includes both urban and rural components to ensure every family has a pucca (permanent) house with basic amenities.
How does the RERA Act protect homebuyers?
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) is designed to protect homebuyers by ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely delivery of projects. It mandates registration of real estate projects and provides a framework for dispute resolution.
What measures are being taken to address stalled projects?
The government has allocated a separate budget to help revive stalled and distressed projects through measures like one-time settlement schemes. These initiatives aim to ensure that homebuyers receive their units as promised.
Why is transparency important in the real estate sector?
Transparency in the real estate sector helps prevent corruption and misleading practices. It ensures that all transactions are clear, and consumers are not trapped by false promises or hidden costs.
What is the government's plan for urban mobility?
The government is focusing on improving urban mobility through the expansion of metro networks and enhancing last-mile connectivity. This includes ensuring easy access to and from metro stations and promoting high-density development near these stations.
Related News Articles
India's Rise to Realty Prominence: A Billion-Dollar Boom
India is accelerating to become the real estate capital of Asia, with a total valuation of Rs 14.2 trillion among the top 100 realty companies.
Maharashtra Cabinet Renames Pune Airport After Sant Tukaram Maharaj
The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Pune airport after the 17th-century Warkari saint and poet, Sant Tukaram Maharaj.
The Downfall of Real Estate Moguls: Alexander Brothers Arrested in Miami
In a shocking turn of events, the renowned real estate moguls, the Alexander Brothers, were recently arrested in Miami. This news has sent ripples through the business community, leaving many to wonder what led to their downfall.
Luxury Homes, Toxic Air: The Urban Pollution Paradox in India
Nithin Kamath, a prominent real estate analyst, highlights the growing concern of urban pollution in major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Despite seeing a surge in luxury real estate, these cities struggle with alarming levels of air pol
Tragic Incident: Two Workers Killed, One Injured as Slab Collapses in Chikhla Mines
A devastating slab collapse in the Chikhla mines of Manganese Ore (India) has resulted in the death of two workers and left one injured. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in the mining industry.
Women Home Buyers Witness 14% Surge in 2024: Report
A recent report by Square Yards, titled 'Key Holders of Change - Women Driving Real Estate Growth and Transformation,' reveals a significant 14% increase in women homebuyers in 2024.