BANM property expo gets a grand opening

The 14th property expo by Credai-Builders’ Association of Navi Mumbai [Credai-BANM] was inaugurated by Union agriculture minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday. The four-day expo that began at the ground in plot no1 in sector 19, off Palm Beach Road in Sanpada, promises to meet housing requirements of every section of the society.

Thane guardian minister Ganesh Naik, Raigad guardian minister Sunil Tatkare, minister of state for urban development Uday Samant, were among the dignitaries present for the opening ceremony, along with Credai-BANM president Devang Trivedi, association secretary Dharmendra Karia, treasurer Haresh Chheda and other office bearers. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan could not attend the event due to prior engagements.

On the occasion, the developers’ community from Navi Mumbai, listed out their charter of demands before Pawar. Trivedi said, “This exhibition is being held to showcase Navi Mumbai, which is the gateway to the Konkan region. We want to promote the satellite city and while at it, we also want the administration to take note of the problems and issues in the city.”

He added, “Navi Mumbai was brought into existence to decongest Mumbai. Similarly, the NAINA area that is now the center of attention should be planned with a world class vision. Also, there is a need to put Navi Mumbai on the world tourism map. We are blessed with a coastline and there is a need to promote mangrove tourism here. We need the support of NCP chief Pawar in developing the NAINA area.”

Since Credai-BANM has tied up with Kokan Bhumi Pratisthan this year, the association is confident of giving visitors a double treat during the expo. The latter will be organising the Global Konkan Festival at the same venue.

Over 130 members are taking part in the exhibition, which has more than 185 stalls showcasing properties from Navi Mumbai right up to Khopoli and Karjat. Property from outside Mumbai is also being displayed at the exhibition, with L&T and Satish Magar group making their debut at the expo.

Over 10 top financial institutions will be present during the event. “The area of the flats on offer range from 300 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft, and the price starts from Rs12 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs2 crore,” said Haresh Chheda, treasurer of BANM. He added, “This is a great chance for those who wish to get information on all properties under one roof.”

Karia said, “Navi Mumbai is the most sought after destination for property investments in India because of its planned development and various infrastructure projects that are in the pipeline."

Time to change the word builder: Sharad Pawar
Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, on Saturday, called for changing the term 'builder' used for those engaged in developing residential complexes to either construction industry or shelter provider and said their [developers'] responsibility in the days to come will increase manifold.

“There is a need to change the word builder to either construction industry or shelter provider. The moment you use the word builder, the approach of people of looking at the person [developer] changes. It is my firm opinion that the word shelter provider or construction industry will be an appropriate word,” said Pawar in his speech, after inaugurating the Credai-BANM realty expo.

The NCP chief said the role of developers will assume more importance in the days to come. “It is high time that we shifted from being an agrarian economy. Where there is over dependence on agriculture, there exists poverty. The new generation will have to shift to other sectors and as such, will have to leave their native places. Once they come to cities, real estate developers will have a major role to play by providing them homes and so their responsibility increases,” said Pawar.

He added, “Developers also have the responsibility of providing affordable homes to people.”

On development in the Konkan region, Pawar said, “If tourism has to be promoted in Konkan, we need jetties, good roads and good safety standards for tourists who come there.”

Thane guardian minister Ganesh Naik floated the concept of sea tourism in the area. Raigad guardian minister, Sunil Tatkare, said, “There is a need to fast-track work of four-laning of Panvel-Goa highway.”

Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said, “The state government has allocated Rs60 crore for development in the region. We are undertaking development of seven beaches and 17 villages in Konkan. In the next 10 years, we will change the face of Konkan.”