Dwelling on seasonal rivulets
For land mafia, dry stream bed is a business opportunity, says Vishal Gulati

As the trend of acquiring agricultural land for SEZs is rising, there is a shortage of space for residential projects. Land sharks, driven by the housing needs of the common man, have now turned the dry beds of seasonal rivulets (choes) into housing complexes as a majority of choes are rarely in spate these days. In some areas of the Kandi region, several palatial houses have come up. Stonewalls have been constructed to change the natural course of the rivulets. — Photo by S.S. Chopra

Indian woman gets recognition in Britain
Birmingham property entrepreneur of Indian origin, Perm Saini, has been named one of the Britain’s Top 100 women in the property business. Ms Saini, founder of Edgbaston-based Claremont Group, was placed 90th in the influential listing produced by property bible, Property Week. She is the only Asian on the list.

Time for Pathankot to go vertical
That is the only way the city can cope up with land scarcity and housing demand, argues Lalit Mohan The scarcity of land is leading to exorbitant increase in prices of land in the city. The prices of commercial property in the city have skyrocketed to levels at par with the metros. The market prices of commercial property in the city range above Rs 10 lakh per marla.

Apartment culture yet to set in Hamirpur
Vibhor Mohan
Even though there are hardly any plots for sale in the posh areas of Hamirpur, apartment culture is yet to pick up within the town and its surrounding areas. The fact that most built-up houses in Hamirpur don’t have a drive-in facility, prospective buyers have no option but to go in for plots in the unplanned colonies coming up on the periphery.

Lifestyle townships flourish in Bathinda Perneet Singh Dotted with crammed localities with virtually no breathing space, Bathinda has now made it to the list of cities having lifestyle townships that promise a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. A view of an under-construction township in Bathinda. — Photo by Kulbir Beera

GREEN HOUSE Hanging greenery Overhead basket concept is not new, says Satish Narula We always think of decorating the entrance of the house. Have we ever thought of given attention to what impression one takes along while going out. Here are a few tips. This will also help those who live on high-rise dwelling units and have only the benefit of vertical walls to decorate. For stands fixed on walls, one must use sturdy stands made of steel.

Sealing drive hikes commercial property rates
Sunit Dhawan
Thanks to the ongoing sealing operations in the Hisar district and nearby townships of the region, the prices of commercial plots and shops located on the government-approved sites have witnessed an upsurge.

Realty gets Rs 1,252 cr FDI in first half of fiscal
Booming realty and construction sectors have received foreign direct investment of Rs 1,252 crore in the first half of the current fiscal, with most of the inflows coming through the popular Mauritius route.

Micro rural malls in Gujarat
Model fair price shops, grandly described by the government as micro rural malls, are springing up all over Gujarat where village people can shop for all their needs 24x7. Already 512 such ‘malls’ have sprouted and another 508 are on the anvil.

TAX TIPS
Profit from leasing out factory is not business income
By S.C. Vasudeva
Q. I have constructed a factory shed in an industrial estate and leased the same to another entrepreneur at a rent of Rs 20,000 per month. Apart from letting out I am also providing certain facilities such as furniture, fixtures, air-conditioners, water, watch and ward staff.

Buzz on Bourses
Israeli firm to invest $330 m
Jerusalem: Israeli company, Jerusalem Economic Corporation, is to buy land worth $330 million in Thane, near Mumbai, in real estate investments. “For the first time, we’re investing in India, which the company views as a strategic goal in its development.

Realty through lens
A Thai worker climbs on an iron bar in front of condominium building in Bangkok. Thailand’s property market is expected to rebound in 2007 amid expectations of falling interest rates, after a year of uncertainties that plagued consumers’ confidence, analysts say. Confidence among buyers has improved as the broader economy appears to be picking up steam. — AFP photos	A view shows the high-rise buildings of Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Avenue. The Gulf Emirate of Dubai has slapped a limit on rent hikes in an attempt to put a lid on soaring prices seen as threatening its competitiveness in attracting foreign business, newspapers said. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktum issued a decree imposing a 7 per cent cap on annual rent increases in 2007.