Ahmedabad: As Ahmedabad’s outskirts experience rapid development, the city’s central areas are seeing a parallel surge in demand, largely driven by redevelopment projects. Homebuyers are showing a growing preference for three-bedroom hall kitchen (3BHK) apartments, which have become increasingly sought after.

According to real estate experts, over 400 private housing societies, including apartment complexes, are either in negotiations for redevelopment or seeking approval from the Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GUJRERA). Out of these, more than 150 societies have already completed their redevelopment projects.

In areas like Naranpura, Navrangpura, Ambawadi, Vasna, and Shastrinagar, upcoming redevelopment projects are focusing on building 3BHK apartments, priced between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1.5 crore.

Kartik Soni, chairman of Swara Group, a company specializing in redevelopment, explained that the high demand for 3BHK units, priced between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore, is driving their focus on these properties. He emphasized that the appeal of living in well-established areas makes these homes particularly desirable.

Soni also noted that the shift toward nuclear families and the desire for larger homes within the city has further fueled the demand for 3BHK apartments, which are being prioritized alongside the units allocated to original residents as part of redevelopment agreements.

However, redevelopment projects face several challenges. Jitendra Shah, President of the Urban Redevelopment Housing Society Welfare Association (URHSWA), pointed out that gaps in the Redevelopment Act need to be addressed for the benefit of citizens. With around 5,000 private societies in Ahmedabad interested in redevelopment, housing nearly 1 lakh people, resolving these issues could accelerate progress.

Legal hurdles, such as stamp duty and GST charges on redeveloped properties, are also significant barriers. A real estate expert suggested waiving these charges to promote faster redevelopment and reduce the city’s horizontal expansion.

Solicitor Paresh Jani recommended that Gujarat follow Maharashtra’s example and exempt redeveloped property owners from stamp duty, charging only a minimal Rs 100 registration fee to facilitate ownership transfers.