- Industry structure and developments:
Real estate development in Chennai during 2023-2024 was characterized by significant
growth, especially in residential projects, driven by major infrastructure improvements
like the Chennai Metro Phase 2 expansion and the development of the
Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam Road. Key development areas include OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road),
Pallavaram, and Sholinganallur.
Chennais residential real estate market has experienced significant growth in 2024,
supported by robust sales momentum and a surge in new launches. Moreover, declining
inventory was effectively balanced with an increase in fresh options for homebuyers.
- Infrastructure-Driven Growth:
Major government infrastructure projects are
significantly impacting real estate values and driving demand in connected areas.
- Integrated Townships/Gated Communities:
The market is seeing increased demand for
self-sufficient, amenity- rich gated communities and integrated townships.
- As mentioned in the earlier report, the Companys main focus is on the three land
parcels in Perambur (North Chennai), Valasarawakkam (West Chennai) and Chingelpet
(Adjoining district of Chennai (South)
Valasarawakkam
- The demand for both residential and commercial properties remains strong, with a variety
of options available including apartments, villas, and plots. The area has a good mix of
ready-to-move and under-construction projects catering to families and professionals.
- Chennai Market Performance:
Valasaravakkams boom is part of a larger positive
trend in the Chennai real estate market, which saw a 34% growth in housing sales and a 12%
increase in average residential prices city- wide in 2023.
- Valasaravakkam is well-connected via major roads like Arcot Road and the Inner Ring
Road, offering seamless
access to IT and industrial zones
Perambur
The real estate outlook for Perambur in 2023-2024 (and continuing into 2025) is
positive, marked by steady price appreciation and high demand driven by robust
infrastructure development and excellent connectivity.
Perambur is a mature locality with a good mix of residential and commercial spaces, and
established amenities like schools, hospitals, and the popular Spectrum Mall. The presence
of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) also reinforces its status as a significant hub.
Homebuyers in 2023-2024 continued to prioritize suburban areas with good access to
amenities and transport, a trend that works in Peramburs favour.
Our Joint Development partner viz. SPR Group is developing a large-scale integrated
township
- Market of India
: A large-scale, first-of-its-kind organized wholesale and retail
centre will become a major trade hub, potentially rivalling trade centres in other
countries.
- Integrated Lifestyle
: The development includes residential towers, a 1.5 million sq.
ft. mall, the Shri Ram Universal School, and numerous amenities, aiming to create a
self-sufficient community that attracts residents and businesses.
- Infrastructure & Connectivity
: Its strategic location offers excellent
connectivity via road and railways, with a metro station planned nearby, enhancing its
accessibility and property values.
- Employment Opportunities
: The various commercial and retail projects within SPR City
are expected to generate significant employment opportunities, further boosting the local
economy
Chinglepet
Chingleput (Chengalpattu) is poised for strong real estate growth, driven by its
strategic location as an emerging suburb of Chennai, significant infrastructure projects,
and a surge in demand for mid-end and high-end housing. This growth is part of a broader,
robust trend in the Southern India real estate market during 2023-24.
- Infrastructure Development: Chingleput is a major beneficiary of extensive
infrastructure enhancements in the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA). Proposed and ongoing
projects that are expected to boost its real estate appeal include the Chennai Metro Rail
Phase 1 extension, the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road, GST Road widening, and new flyovers.
These developments improve connectivity, making the area more attractive for residents and
businesses.
- Proximity to Chennai: As a rapidly growing urban centre on the periphery of Chennai,
Chinglepet serves as a viable alternative to the main city, attracting those seeking
larger homes and a better quality of living without sacrificing connectivity.
- Industrial and Economic Hub: Chinglepet is a significant industrial and public works
hub, with ongoing efforts by the Tamil Nadu government to attract further investments in
sectors such as electronics manufacturing, R&D, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
This economic activity creates job opportunities, which in turn drives demand for housing
and commercial spaces.
- Residential Demand Shift: There is a notable shift in consumer preference towards
mid-end and high-end residential properties, a trend observed across Tamil Nadu and
expected to continue in Chinglepet. Demand for functional homes and integrated township
developments with amenities is high.
- Government Initiatives & Policy Support: Favourable government policies and
initiatives at both the state and national levels, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
(PMAY-U) for affordable housing and the allocation of funds for urban development, are
fostering a conducive environment for real estate growth
- Opportunities and threats:
Chennais Real Estate presents several opportunities such as
- Strong market growth:
The market is expected to see continued growth in residential
and commercial sectors, with projected property price increases of 57% by the end of
2025.
- Infrastructure development:
Projects like metro expansion and new expressways are
creating new growth corridors and increasing property values in previously underdeveloped
areas.
- Economic growth:
Chennais status as an economic hub is fuelling demand for
housing and commercial spaces, attracting both domestic and international interest.
- Diverse housing options:
Opportunities exist in both the luxury and affordable
housing segments, catering to different buyer needs.
- Rental market:
The rental market is strong, offering high rental returns compared to
property prices.
Threats
- Traffic congestion: As the city expands, traffic congestion in key areas is a
growing concern, which can affect the liveability and connectivity of properties.
- Natural disasters:
Chennai is vulnerable to floods and cyclones, particularly in
low-lying areas, making a thorough assessment of drainage and safety measures crucial
before purchasing.
- Rising costs:
Challenges include increasing construction costs and the need to
navigate regulatory hurdles.
- Segment-wise or product-wise performance:
Not Applicable
The robust real estate market translated into increased lending activity and a positive
outlook for bank finance throughout 2023 and 2024.
- Increased Credit Flow
: Total bank credit outstanding to the real estate sector rose
to a record high in 2023. The total amount of housing credit in India expanded by 12.7% in
2023-24.
- Bank Dominance
: Banks continued to dominate the housing loan market, holding a
significant market share (around 74.5% as of March 2024). Their advantage in cost of funds
and extensive reach facilitated this dominance.
- HFC Performance
: Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) also showed healthy growth, with
loan portfolios expanding by 13.2% in 2023-24. They are expected to maintain strong growth
in the subsequent years, with the retail segment as a key driver.
- Improved Asset Quality
: The asset quality for HFCs saw a sharp improvement, with
gross non-performing assets (GNPA) decreasing significantly from a peak in March 2022 to a
much lower level by March 2024, indicating effective risk management and a healthier
market.
- Risk and concerns:
- Inflation and interest rates:
High inflation and rising interest rates increased the
cost of borrowing, making it more expensive to finance projects and purchase homes, and
reduced overall affordability.
- Market volatility and economic uncertainty:
The unpredictable economic environment
created hesitations for investors and buyers, impacting market confidence.
- Liquidity issues:
Some sectors faced low liquidity and potential issues with the
availability of debt, affecting both developers and investors.
Operational and supply-side risks
- Supply chain disruptions: Ongoing disruptions impacted the availability of
construction materials, leading to cost volatility.
- Labour shortage:
A shortage of skilled labour in the construction and property
management sectors was a significant challenge.
- Construction costs:
Volatile construction costs made it difficult to accurately
underwrite new projects and added to development risk.
Regulatory and legal risks
- Regulatory changes: Frequent and unpredictable changes in real estate regulations
across different government levels created uncertainty and compliance challenges.
- Legislative risk:
Potential legislative changes could impact the market and property
values.
- Zoning and environmental issues:
For land development, challenges related to zoning
laws and environmental regulations posed significant risks
- Internal Control system and their adequacy
The Company has adequate internal control systems commensurate with its size and nature
of business and complexity of operations. Internal Auditors conduct regular audits and
report to the Audit Committee, thus ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of Internal
Control. The observations of the Internal Auditors are reviewed periodically on a
quarterly basis and due compliances ensured. The exceptional items are reported to the
Board.
- Discussion on financial performance with respect to operational performance.
Financial performance with respect to operational performance is discussed in the main
part of the Report.
- Material Developments in Human Resources / Industrial Relations front, including number
of people employed.
There was no significant development in Human Resources. The Company has a structured
job appraisal and training systems and as we expand, there this robust systems and
processes in place. The Industrial relations remained cordial throughout the year.