CREDAI Seeks Relaxation of Land Ceiling Provisions and Development Norms in West Bengal

West Bengal Government Urged to Revamp Land Regulations to Boost Investments

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) has called on the West Bengal government to scrap urban land ceiling provisions, rationalize land-related regulations, and introduce township and slum redevelopment policies to spur investments in the state.

At a pre-budget consultation organized by the finance department in West Bengal, CREDAI West Bengal president Sushil Mohta presented policy suggestions aimed at unlocking land for housing, industrial, and infrastructure projects while generating employment and increasing government revenues. Among its key recommendations, the developers' body sought the scrapping of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act provisions, arguing that easing ceiling limits would facilitate the development of large townships, housing projects, commercial and industrial hubs, and IT parks.

CREDAI West Bengal argued that such a move would attract investments, create jobs, and help bring down housing costs through lower compliance burdens. The body also called for the correction and deletion of outdated 'Barga' (sharecropping) records in urban areas, contending that many such entries remain despite the absence of cultivation for years and often impede ownership transfer and comprehensive development of land parcels.

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The developers' body suggested that lands within urban agglomerations and areas covered by land use and development control plans be reclassified as non-agricultural land where applicable, enabling planned development and improving revenue collection. Highlighting the absence of a comprehensive township and land pooling framework in the state, CREDAI urged the government to formulate policies on the lines of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh to encourage integrated township projects and organized urban growth.

The industry body proposed a slum and housing redevelopment policy based on public-private partnership models, with incentives such as transferable development rights, higher floor area ratios, and fast-track approvals to encourage rehabilitation projects. According to CREDAI, such a policy could help address housing shortages, particularly for economically weaker sections and low-income groups, while improving living conditions in urban areas.

The suggestions were presented ahead of the state budget, which is scheduled to be tabled on June 22. The budget session of the Assembly will commence on June 18.

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