In Focus by The Hindu Has housing become prohibitively expensive in Indian cities?
Jan 1, 2026
Tikender Singh Panwar, an urban studies expert and former deputy mayor of Shimla, joins seasoned architect Ashok B. Lall to tackle the pressing issue of housing affordability in Indian cities. They explore how land policies and financialization drive costs sky-high, making homes unattainable for many. Tikender discusses the sociological impact of this crisis, including increased insecurity and fractured urban communities. Meanwhile, Ashok advocates for prioritizing affordable rental housing and rethinking planning to achieve spatial justice. Their insights present a roadmap for a more inclusive future.
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Land, Not Construction, Drives Prices
- Housing prices far exceed construction costs because location and land transaction values dominate final prices.
- Ashok B. Lall says land policy and land hoarding amplify scarcity and drive up housing costs.
Housing As A Financial Asset
- Housing has become a financial asset rather than a social good, causing hoarding and parked apartments.
- Tikender Singh Panwar argues financialization and land monopolies skew supply to purchasing power, not need.
New Supply Can Worsen Exclusion
- New housing supply often increases exclusion by pushing the poor to city peripheries and raising commuting costs.
- Tikender Singh Panwar warns that market-led supply fragments social life and worsens access to jobs.