Dehradun Set To Be A Smart City, Realty Hotspot

Many Doonites were disheartened when the Uttarakhand state capital, Dehradun, failed to feature in the initial list of smart cities announced last year. The popular hill station recently made it to the third and final list of the Smart City Mission which was announced at the National Workshop on Urban Transformation, in New Delhi, in June 2017.

Flanked by breath-taking hills, Dehradun has a flourishing tourism as well as retail and hospitality industry that has given a major boost to both, its commercial and residential market. The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) is planning to develop a tourist centre of over 28 acres as well as some luxury hotels, malls and recreational facilities. In addition, the picturesque capital city will possess smart city features including improved physical and social infrastructure.  

Here's a look at the key reasons that make Dehradun a promising real estate destination.

Residential market in Dehradun

Average prices of properties in Dehradun is Rs 3,350 per sq ft. 1-BHK apartments are available at an average price of Rs 18.66 lakhs, 2-BHK apartments at Rs 46.91 lakhs and 3-BHK apartments at Rs 72.08 lakhs. Several renowned players of the industry like Supertech Limited, Unitech Group, etc., have launched their projects in the city. Prominent micro-markets in the city worth investing in, are Majra, Chironwali, Pondha, Niranjanpur and Rajpur.

Social amenities and good road, air and rail connectivity give a strategic advantage to Dehradun, over other cities of the state. Plans for a multi-purpose stadium project in Raipur, equipped with a good sports facility, is underway. Creation of the Delhi-Dehradun four-lane highway is expected to enhance connectivity in the region.

Retirement homes in Dehradun

Dehradun has traditionally been a retirement destination and continues to be a desired option, despite the growth of other tier-2 cities. Doon's moderate climate and serene environs attract several retirees, especially from the armed forces. Lying near the base of Himalayas, close to the holy towns of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Badrinath, Dehradun promises a quiet and peaceful lifestyle. Owing to a low crime rate, the city is regarded as one of the safest cities. There is availability of good healthcare facilities due to the presence of super-speciality hospitals. The city is also seeing new launches of premium projects for senior citizens.

Weekend homes in Dehradun

The pleasurable climate of Dehradun not just captivates tourists, but also investors looking for second homes. Nestled at a convenient distance from Delhi - a six-hour drive - Dehradun is emerging as a hotspot for vacation or weekend homes. NRIs and expats are also preferring to invest in this area.

Educational opportunities in Dehradun

Dehradun also wears the title of 'one of the best educational destinations' in the country. Located within the city are many prestigious day and boarding schools such as The Doon School, Dehradun Hills Academy, Rashtriya Indian Military College, St. Joseph's Academy, St. Thomas' College, etc. A reputed institution for army training, the Indian Military Academy is also located in Dehradun. Other institutes for higher education like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, ICFAI, Uttrakhand University and Forest Research Institute, are also present, with the best faculty and infrastructure.

Emerging IT and BPO centres in Dehradun

Doon's thriving tourism industry has led several businesses to set up their offices. Some companies include Serco, Genpact, Spice Digital and IndiaMart. In the past couple of decades, the city has undergone a tremendous change and there are plenty of job opportunities available for the youth. New SEZs (Special Economic Zones) and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) have been established. The Selaqui area of Dehradun, houses many manufacturing units.