Title - Right on track

The realty sector on the city outskirts has been showing significant appreciation in property prices of late, thanks to the Transit Oriented Development project being planned by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority keeping in view the upcoming Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project.The metro rail project is being devised to boost the mobility and connectivity between core areas of the city and the outskirts.The idea is to decongest the city and give an option for people to move to the outskirts, who otherwise are hesitating to do so due to lack of good connectivity in the absence of an efficient public transport system. The HMDA has recently proposed Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and a Transit Oriented Greenfield Nodal Development in Greater Hyderabad limits on public private partnership mode (PPP).These TODs are being proposed at Moosapet and Saroornagar while Transit Oriented Greenfield Nodal Development is being planned at Khanamet on the city outskirts.As part of TOD projects, the HMDA also plans to develop larger land parcels available on the metro rail corridors at Moosapet and Saroornagar.

The lands will be developed as ‘multiple user zones’ by adopting world-class planning, development and implementation procedures.

“We have planned the metro rail project in such a way that it compliments TOD project on the city outskirts. The world-over it was proved that the real estate sector benefits with metro rail project. Good connectivity plays a crucial role in the development of real estate sector. The HMR has been devised to provide fast and efficient connectivity between core areas of the city and outskirts,” said Mr N.V.S. Reddy, managing director, HMR.

With the metro rail works moving on a brisk pace and ready to launch trial runs from December 2014, the impact is already being seen on real estate market on the city outskirts.

“Earlier, people used to hesitate to move to city outskirts due to lack of good public transport system. Now the situation has changed. With TOD projects being planned on the back of metro rail, ORR etc., the demand for property on city outskirts has increased significantly. We received 70 per cent booking within four months in our 90-acre realty project to develop 233 villas in Maheshwaram. We have also launched another project to develop 4,000 flats in view of huge demand,” said D.Vijaysen Reddy, managing director, Prajay Engineers Syndicate.

The property prices in areas such as Miyapur, Nagole, Uppal, Maheshwaram etc. are witnessing an upward swing due to metro rail connectivity.

Keep out the noise

Now, the Hyderabad metro project will take a while to hit the tracks. Meanwhile, there could be considerable dust and chaos around the proposed sites and the noise might trouble you.

Heavy traffic, coupled with construction noise can reach unto 85 decibels, and prolonged exposure to the level of noise can lead to serious health and mental problems. But with a bit of help, you could soundproof your swanky new pad.

Use thick curtains:

Dust could be an issue, but a double curtain, or a very thick curtain can certainly help in absorbing noise. Make sure you have a lighter, thinner one towards the outside to draw the dust, while the thicker one should keep out the noise.

Doors and windows:

There are two ways through which sound can enter your house — from windows and doors. Make sure the doors shut properly, without much gap between the frame. Loosely-built doors allow for a lot of unnecessary noise and quite a bit of dust. Also, check if the builder has used ‘hollow core doors’. These are inexpensive and very thin and there could be extra sound passing easily through them. You’ll have to select solid core doors.

Rugs and carpets:Thick rugs and carpets are excellent at absorbing noise. If you have a huge living room, consider rugs an absolutely necessity.

A layer of drywall:Okay, you will need a specialist for this. Drywall is a dense material that stops noise dead. Recording studios use this technology to soundproof themselves. You don't have to drywall your entire home — just the areas that point towards the sound source.