In a fresh set of guideline releases from Union Home Ministry, Real Estate Construction activities can resume post 20th April, a significant relief for realtors at a time when 15.62 lakh projects are in the under-construction phase.

On Tuesday, India entered the extended nation-wide lockdown till 3rd May. According to the guidelines laid down by the Union Home Ministry, Realtors can only resume the construction works in non-containment zones, which are within the jurisdiction limits of the city municipal corporation. The labor force should be available on-site. Sourcing the labor force from outside is a strict no.

Construction companies were incurring significant expenses to arrange utilities and essentials for workers on-site, and with no construction works allowed, they weren't generating revenues.

What are the Challenges?

Realtors have welcomed this move by the government, but logistical hurdles remain in their paths. Availability of raw materials is essential to keep the construction work on the track. Many fear the worst, even after the uplifting of restrictions, the logistic system will be overstressed, meeting the pending order and maintaing deadlines for the fresh ones.

Maintaing social distancing at the workplace would be another big challenge, as many construction tasks require teamwork.

At the helm, what's in for the sector in this announcement and what's not? Also, what will be the challenges faced by the realtors.

What's Allowed?

1. Construction activities in Non-containment Zones.

2. The construction site must fall under a Municipal Corporation or Municipality.

3. Workers employed in the construction activities should have been quarantined within site during the lockdown period.

Developers need to ensure that social distancing strictly, carry site sanitization et cetra.

What are the Hurdles?

1. The supply of raw materials, land transport, is expected to be stressed because of pending and new deliveries on carriers.

2. Ensuring sanitization of the workplace and workers will bring developers under added financial stress.

3. Shortage of skilled workforce.

Source :

Referred from Developers Can Resume Construction Of Real Estate Projects in Some Areas, by Ashwini Sharma.