Mr Habib, also the Chairman and Managing Director of RWD, stressed the need for simplifying the approval and NOC (No Objection Certificate) processes. This was vital for driving affordability, efficiency and transparency in the sector, he said. “Real estate is not just about buildings. It is foundational to employment, urban infrastructure, and economic resilience,” he added.
He urged the Government of Tamil Nadu to establish a dedicated building where representatives of the Airport Authority, Revenue Department, CMDA, and other key regulatory agencies can operate under one roof. Currently, visiting each department separately and waiting weeks for approvals drained time and resources, he said. The consumer ultimately bore the burden,” Mr Habib said.
While Tamil Nadu stands as the most urbanised state in India with an urbanisation rate of 48.4 per cent, Mr Habib pointed out that completing the necessary documentation remained a cumbersome process. “Though there has been improvement compared to the past, much more needs to be done to ensure seamless business facilitation,” he added.
CREDAI Tamil Nadu also announced the expansion of its chapters. It is planning to add six more to its existing ten, including cities such as Sivagangai, Vellore, Karur, Nilgiris and Thanjavur. The association also reaffirmed its global outreach through the international expansion of its “FAIRPRO” property expo to cities such as Dubai, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, and Singapore, aimed at attracting NRI investments and showcasing Tamil Nadu’s real estate strengths on the global stage.
Pointing to the disparity in treatment of foreign and local investors, particularly in regulatory clearances, he said, “the red carpet treatment given to foreign industrial investors is not extended to domestic players in real estate,” he noted.
He reiterated CREDAI’s commitment to sustainability, affordable housing, digital transformation and transparent governance. “Our journey ahead will be driven by strong planning and a shared commitment to building modern, liveable and future-ready cities,” Mr Habib said.