Urban Growth Momentum
ECONOMY & POLICY

Urban Growth Momentum

The Union Budget 2026’s sustained focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and capital-market instruments is widely seen as a catalyst for housing growth and planned urban expansion. Developers and consultants say improved transport networks, REIT-led asset monetisation, data centre incentives and Tier-II/Tier-III city thrust will gradually unlock new micro-markets, strengthen homebuyer confidence, and reshape India’s urban development trajectory. Here are some of the industry insights:
Deepak Garg, Founder & Managing Director, ARE Infra Heights 
“When government investment strengthens connectivity and public infrastructure, new micro-markets begin to emerge… This not only reduces pressure on saturated city centres but also helps create more balanced urban growth.”
Karteesh Reddy, CEO, GHR Infra
“The Union Budget 2026 positions real estate as a key growth engine by building a more stable, capital-efficient ecosystem that reduces project risk and attracts institutional investment… simplified NRI transactions can significantly reduce friction for overseas buyers, making Indian real estate more accessible and investment-friendly.”
Lakshmi Narayana G, Designated Partner, GHR Lakshmi Urbanblocks Infra LLP
“The Union Budget 2026 positions real estate as a key growth engine by building a more stable, capital-efficient ecosystem that reduces project risk and attracts institutional investment… The push for Green Credits and incentives for sustainable construction technologies signals a clear policy shift toward environmentally responsible development, while simplified NRI transactions can significantly reduce friction for overseas buyers.”
Ajitesh Korupolu, Founder and CEO, ASBL
“The proposed high-speed rail network linking Hyderabad with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune… establishes Hyderabad as the central convergence point of India’s most powerful economic ecosystems.”
Umang Badjatya, CEO, Kumar Corp Bangalore
“The Union Budget 2026 reflects the government’s intent to monetise Central Public Sector Undertaking assets located in prime areas across India through REITs… While the focus on infrastructure development in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is evident, expectations around higher affordable housing limits and home loan relief remain unaddressed.”
Vikas Jain, CEO, Labdhi Lifestyle
“Increased capital expenditure on transport networks, urban infrastructure, metro connectivity, and large-scale urban development projects will significantly improve accessibility and unlock new growth corridors across major cities.”
Salai Kumaran, CEO, IndiaLand Properties
“The budget creates a strong foundation for the next phase of real estate growth by aligning infrastructure development with evolving office demand in Tier II and Tier III cities.”
Sriram Chitlur, CEO, TalkingLands
“With the PropTech market expected to grow from USD 918 million in 2022 to nearly USD 3.8 billion by 2030, the upcoming Union Budget must deliver a decisive push towards open data initiatives, digital land records, and tokenisation.”
Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India
“The focus on improving India’s rail infrastructure with the announcement of seven new high speed rail corridors will significantly boost India’s passenger mobility, strengthening the overall economic ecosystem.”
Mukundan Menon, Managing Director, Voltas
“Investments in modern transit systems, housing, and smart city capabilities create a multiplier effect, boosting jobs, strengthening income visibility, and expanding the addressable market.”
Srinivas P. Kamisetty, Managing Director, Kabelschlepp India 
“The announcement of a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund… will improve credit access and support the modernisation of industrial clusters, thereby catalysing the development of the entire sector.”

Across voices, the message is consistent: infrastructure-led growth is steadily reshaping housing demand, enabling decentralised urbanisation, and creating the conditions for more organised, sustainable, and investment-ready cities—though direct affordability incentives and homebuyer tax relief remain key industry expectations.

The Union Budget 2026’s sustained focus on infrastructure, connectivity, and capital-market instruments is widely seen as a catalyst for housing growth and planned urban expansion. Developers and consultants say improved transport networks, REIT-led asset monetisation, data centre incentives and Tier-II/Tier-III city thrust will gradually unlock new micro-markets, strengthen homebuyer confidence, and reshape India’s urban development trajectory. Here are some of the industry insights:Deepak Garg, Founder & Managing Director, ARE Infra Heights “When government investment strengthens connectivity and public infrastructure, new micro-markets begin to emerge… This not only reduces pressure on saturated city centres but also helps create more balanced urban growth.”Karteesh Reddy, CEO, GHR Infra“The Union Budget 2026 positions real estate as a key growth engine by building a more stable, capital-efficient ecosystem that reduces project risk and attracts institutional investment… simplified NRI transactions can significantly reduce friction for overseas buyers, making Indian real estate more accessible and investment-friendly.”Lakshmi Narayana G, Designated Partner, GHR Lakshmi Urbanblocks Infra LLP“The Union Budget 2026 positions real estate as a key growth engine by building a more stable, capital-efficient ecosystem that reduces project risk and attracts institutional investment… The push for Green Credits and incentives for sustainable construction technologies signals a clear policy shift toward environmentally responsible development, while simplified NRI transactions can significantly reduce friction for overseas buyers.”Ajitesh Korupolu, Founder and CEO, ASBL“The proposed high-speed rail network linking Hyderabad with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune… establishes Hyderabad as the central convergence point of India’s most powerful economic ecosystems.”Umang Badjatya, CEO, Kumar Corp Bangalore“The Union Budget 2026 reflects the government’s intent to monetise Central Public Sector Undertaking assets located in prime areas across India through REITs… While the focus on infrastructure development in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is evident, expectations around higher affordable housing limits and home loan relief remain unaddressed.”Vikas Jain, CEO, Labdhi Lifestyle“Increased capital expenditure on transport networks, urban infrastructure, metro connectivity, and large-scale urban development projects will significantly improve accessibility and unlock new growth corridors across major cities.”Salai Kumaran, CEO, IndiaLand Properties“The budget creates a strong foundation for the next phase of real estate growth by aligning infrastructure development with evolving office demand in Tier II and Tier III cities.”Sriram Chitlur, CEO, TalkingLands“With the PropTech market expected to grow from USD 918 million in 2022 to nearly USD 3.8 billion by 2030, the upcoming Union Budget must deliver a decisive push towards open data initiatives, digital land records, and tokenisation.”Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India“The focus on improving India’s rail infrastructure with the announcement of seven new high speed rail corridors will significantly boost India’s passenger mobility, strengthening the overall economic ecosystem.”Mukundan Menon, Managing Director, Voltas“Investments in modern transit systems, housing, and smart city capabilities create a multiplier effect, boosting jobs, strengthening income visibility, and expanding the addressable market.”Srinivas P. Kamisetty, Managing Director, Kabelschlepp India “The announcement of a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund… will improve credit access and support the modernisation of industrial clusters, thereby catalysing the development of the entire sector.”Across voices, the message is consistent: infrastructure-led growth is steadily reshaping housing demand, enabling decentralised urbanisation, and creating the conditions for more organised, sustainable, and investment-ready cities—though direct affordability incentives and homebuyer tax relief remain key industry expectations.

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