People can now expect more small-sized apart- ments in Gurgaon as the Haryana government is con- templating easing construction norms and increasing popula- tion density from the existing 250 persons per acre to 400 for developers of hi-rise resi- dential buildings.

This will enable developers to construct 80 apartments on a piece of land measuring 4840 sq yards, as against the pre- vailing norms of 50 apartments on a plot of that size.

The size of such apartments would also get smaller and will reduce the unit price.

If the Haryana government gets its way, the apartments would come within the pur- chasing capacity of the middle class.

According to sources in the Haryana government, it was going to ease construction norms on the fervent request of developers, who were find- ing it tough to sell large apart- ments measuring 1700-2200 sq feet, that cost between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

With revised construction norms, developers would be able to construct apartments as small as 900-1250 sq feet, that could be tagged at Rs 24 35 lakh for 1/2 BHK units.

As per construction norms prescribed in the Gurgaon Master Plan 2021, the devel- opers can construct maximum 50 such apartments.

A number of developers have been making presenta- tions to the state government, suggesting low-cost housing models and have proposed increasing the FAR (floor area ration) and population densi- ty. This would enable them to construct more number of apartments per acre.

“However, since more apart- ments would affect the exist- ing civic infrastructure and require more public amenities, the state government was tak- ing its own time in deciding on the matter,“ said a senior Haryana Government official on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.