Amanora Park Town: Smart city with a difference

With the information technology, automobiles and manufacturing sectors continuing to remain robust in Pune, demand for mid-segment housing units continues to be good, says a leading city-based developer.
Aditya Deshpande, Director, City Corporation Ltd - which is promoting the 450-acre Amanora Park Town - says the Pune realty market is thriving, with products in the right category and the right price moving fast. "Demand in Pune is real, not investor-driven, it is end-user-driven," he says. "For primary homes (or first homes) the demand is good, though luxury housing has slowed down considerably."
Deshpande describes mid-segment as apartments costing around Rs10 million and with rates of Rs6,000 per square foot. The luxury market in Pune is for apartments or villas costing over Rs30 million.
Amanora Park Town was the first township project in Maharashtra, launched under the state's township policy. It was launched about seven years ago. "About 3,000 families are already staying here and another 4,000 families will move in over the next six months," says Deshpande. "Close to 4,000 apartments are under construction. We expect phase one to be completed over the next three years."
Ultimately, about 20,000 families will be living in Amanora Town with the entire project expected to be completed in 10 years. "The big advantage for residents is that we are the franchise providers for the state electricity company. We also provide water, and undertake sewage treatment and garbage disposal," explains Deshpande.
 There are two schools functioning inside the township and a hospital is expected to come up soon. A 1.1 million square feet Amanora mall and entertainment facility is also up and running.
Deshpande says the township is actually a smart city and has been recognised as such by a series of awards. "We have won 67 awards so far," he says. Future plans include setting up a commercial facility and possibly an IT complex as well.