National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), the apex body of real estate industry in the country, expects Finance Minister to grant infrastructure status to housing under section 801A of IT Act, 1961, thereby, treating housing at par to other infrastructure projects.

Vascon Engineers Ltd, a Real Estate and EPC company, on a consolidated basis recorded a revenue of Rs. 215.82 crore for Q3FY11 as against Rs.158.60 crore in the corresponding quarter last year; marking a growth of 36.08%.

Indian hospital chain Fortis Healthcare is evaluating plans to launch a real estate investment trust, or REIT, to free up capital to fuel expansion, its finance chief has said.

Real estate developers have called for focussed support in the Budget for the first-time home buyer and measures to augment supply of housing for affordable and low income groups. Industry representatives have also called for a simplification of systems and tax reliefs as a step to bringing down costs and catalyse developments.