Pratap Sarnaik, Hon. Minister of Transport, Government of Maharashtra announced that the State’s MSRTC’s bus depots will be taken on a fast-track mode and developed across District, Taluka and Rural areas level and for the entire development, the Government would float about 150 to 160 tenders soon. He was speaking at the NAREDCO NextGen Conclave 2025 organised by NAREDCO NextGen in Mumbai. Sarnaik delivered a keynote address, highlighting that MSRTC holds a vast land bank of approximately 3360 acres. He further informed that in order to develop the MSRDC Bus Depots, the Government has appointed a well-known architect Mr Hafeez Contractor to come up with a presentation to develop the plan. He emphasized the need to develop these strategically located landbanks and urged the State’s developers to come forward to develop the commercial or residential premises. Stating that MSRTC will be made a Planning Authority to execute the project, Mr Sarnaik said, “MSRTC will be made a planning authority and it will sanction the plans under one roof. For the same, MSRTC’s technical team capacities will be built.” Appealing the developers to look for real estate development opportunities beyond the urban areas or select cities, the Minister stated that the developers should take interest in developing real estate even in the rural areas for developing the State. He informed that the land bank in areas such as Lonavala – Khandala, Mahabaleshwar where new DCPR rules are not applicable due to forest and no-development zones, but a major portion of the land will come under the ambit of new DCPR, which will provide adequate FSI for new development. Additionally, efforts are underway to extend the land lease period from 60 years to 99 years. Sarnaik also officially launched the NAREDCO NextGen ‘Digital Learning Hub’ at the prestigious NAREDCO NextGen Conclave 2025, held at the JIO Convention Centre in Mumbai. This innovative online learning platform is designed for young real estate professionals, offering comprehensive insights into emerging trends, cutting-edge technologies, and the latest policy updates. The platform aims to collaborate with top institutions across the country to offer certification programs, empowering the next generation of real estate leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. NAREDCO NextGen Conclave 2025, a transformative event was designed to empower the next generation of real estate leaders. It provided a dynamic platform for young visionaries, industry disruptors, and emerging decision-makers to engage in thought-provoking discussions, foster innovation, and collaborate on strategies for a sustainable and inclusive future. The event discussed various Real Estate trends, growth avenues, AI revolution and the impact of Budget 2025 on the real estate industry. In his welcome address, Jay Morzaria, National Chairman, NAREDCO NextGen welcomed the August gathering of dignitaries to the NAREDCO NextGen Conclave 2025. This conclave is a platform for deliberating on ideas, collaboration, and progress. The discussions will tackle key challenges and trends, from policy and finance to technology and evolving buyer needs. Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman of NAREDCO, highlighted the positive impact of RERA in dispelling misconceptions about the real estate industry. He emphasised how the regulatory framework has brought greater transparency, accountability, and trust among stakeholders. Furthermore, he spoke about the role of innovation in shaping the future of the industry, particularly through the younger generation. He acknowledged that fresh and creative ideas often emerge from individuals under the age of 30, especially in the realm of social media and digital transformation. He encouraged industry leaders to learn from the younger generation, leveraging their insights and technological expertise to drive progress and enhance market outreach. Rajan Bandelkar, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO praised the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister’s efforts to unleash a wave of transformation in the Indian Real Estate Industry through reforms and tax rationalisation. He also cautioned the industry to take a note of issues such as global warming, SWACHH Bharat and a holistic use of AI for technology adoption. Bandelkar also anticipated the sector’s continued focus on affordable housing as a demand driver. Hari Babu, President, NAREDCO stated that the new tax regime will usher fresh investments by the tax payers into the real estate sector impacting the demand for affordable housing. He further emphasised the need for greater women’s participation in real estate, recognizing their role in driving innovation and industry growth. He also highlighted the impact of urban migration, stressing the need for sustainable planning to meet rising housing and infrastructure demands in cities. The newly elected committee members of NAREDCO NEXTGEN were announced during the event, bringing a strong leadership team to the organisation. Rishabh Siroya, Vice President, NAREDCO NEXTGEN; Vishal Thakkar, Vice President, NAREDCO NEXTGEN; Pratik Kataria, Vice President, NAREDCO NEXTGEN; Aditya Boddu, Vice President–Elect, NAREDCO NEXTGEN; Prathap Reddy Eamani, Vice President–Elect, NAREDCO NEXTGEN and Chintan Vasani, Joint Treasurer, NAREDCO NEXTGEN will assume responsibility of their respective roles. The inaugural panel discussion of the event, titled Financing the Future: Exploring Innovative Avenues for Growth, brought together distinguished experts whose insightful contributions illuminated the evolving landscape of financial innovation and its crucial role in driving sustainable growth. The discussion revolved around how Institutions and large-scale investors have accelerated real estate consolidation over the past 14 years. Once a speculative and reckless market, it has evolved into a structured, investable asset class. A clear distinction between institutional and smaller-scale investments marks a fundamental shift in real estate. The second Panel Discussion, titled Real Estate 2030: Shaping the Future of Urban Landscapes, proved to be an insightful and pivotal conversation, bringing together the titans of the industry. Esteemed thought leaders and visionaries delved into the dynamic forces shaping the future of urban development, engaging in a rich dialogue that illuminated the path forward for cities in the coming decade. The event concluded with the announcement of NAREDCO Maharashtra Annual Members Meet 2025 on 15th and 16th February 2025 at Taj Cidade De – Goa, where over 200 members will be attending the meet.