Gautam Singhania, Chairman of Raymond Realty, has asserted that the time is ripe for the introduction of residential Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in India. Speaking at the Real Estate & Infrastructure Investors’ Summit (REIIS) 2026, Singhania outlined several policy recommendations, including GST rationalization and improved access to capital, to propel the nation's real estate sector into a new phase of expansion.
Unlocking Institutional Capital with Residential REITs
Singhania highlighted that India's real estate sector is pivotal to the country's ambition of becoming a $10 trillion-plus economy by 2047, already contributing over 7 percent to the GDP. He argued that residential REITs could serve as a crucial mechanism to attract institutional investment into the housing market, broadening the capital base for developers and projects.
The push for residential REITs comes as demand for rental housing and professionally managed residential assets continues to grow, necessitating a more robust institutional structure for the sector.
Framework for Rental Housing and Financing Reforms
Beyond REITs, Singhania advocated for a dedicated policy framework specifically tailored for rental housing. Such a framework, he noted, would be essential to meet the evolving urban housing requirements across India.
Another critical area addressed was financing. Singhania called for easier access to capital for developers to cover upfront project development costs. He emphasized that deeper institutional capital and simplified financing would enhance liquidity, crucial for the execution of large-scale residential and redevelopment projects, particularly in rapidly expanding urban centers like Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
GST Rationalization and Urban Redevelopment
Taxation also featured prominently in Singhania's recommendations. He urged for the rationalization of Goods and Services Tax (GST) within the real estate sector, suggesting it would create a more favorable environment for growth and investment.
Singhania stressed the importance of faster urban redevelopment, especially given the extensive infrastructure expansion underway in Mumbai and the wider MMR. This infrastructure-led growth is creating new economic and residential hubs, presenting significant opportunities for various real estate asset classes.
His comprehensive policy suggestions aim to leverage infrastructure development, urbanization, and redevelopment efforts to ensure the real estate sector continues its transformative role in India's economic journey.