Summary of this article
Height relaxations may boost high-rise development.
50 new airports planned in five years.
Rental housing gains policy focus.
The Indian real estate and construction sector is soon to see regulatory changes that are aimed at accelerating development. The government is exploring relaxations in building height restrictions near airports and other hubs. The announcement came during the National Urban and Real Estate Development Conclave 2026. This is where policymakers and industry leaders had outlined a shared vision to transform the urban growth formulas and boost the contributions made to the sector by 2047.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has revealed that the ministry is conducting a study to review the existing height restrictions that affect real estate projects. This move is aimed at encouraging the vertical expansion in cities where land availability is constrained. The Minister added that horizontal expansions will not be as sustainable in the long run due to space limitations, which makes high-rise developments a necessity for the growing urban population in India.
The economic potential of the sector was emphasised, while noting that India’s real estate market is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, which will be driven by structural reforms, transparency and growing confidence among buyers and developers. Over the long term, the sector can expand to an estimated USD 5 to 7 trillion by 2047. The government’s broader objective is to maximise the contribution of housing and construction to the national GDP as part of the Viksit Bharat vision.
Although several regulatory changes were not disclosed, the minister indicated that the recommendations from a specialised agency will be the guide for future reforms. The proposed changes aim to ensure the real estate and construction sectors benefit from the airport-led development all across the country.
The major highlight of the address was the ambitious plan to expand India’s aviation infrastructure. An estimate of nearly 50 airports is to be added over the next five years. The total number is expected to reach 200 within two decades. This expansion is expected to create a multiplier effect for real estate, housing, and infrastructural development, especially in the emerging urban corridors.
The minister also called for accelerated progress in rental housing, which highlighted a shift in global trends, away from traditional home ownership. He urged NAREDCO to prepare for a stronger focus on rental housing models that align with what the young Indians aspire to as well as what the international practices are in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
The minister also called for accelerated progress in rental housing, which highlighted a shift in global trends, away from traditional home ownership. He urged NAREDCO to prepare for a stronger focus on rental housing models that align with what the young Indians aspire to as well as what the international practices are in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
