NAREDCO
Mahi Chennai Meet Highlights the Growing Role of Women in Shaping Tamil Nadu’s
Real Estate Future
Chennai, 12th November,
2025: NAREDCO
Mahi, the women’s wing of the National Real Estate Development Council
(NAREDCO), held its Chennai Real Estate Meet at the Taj
Coromandel, bringing together policy leaders, developers, and women
professionals to chart a course for inclusive and sustainable real estate
growth in South India. The meet underscored how women are steadily reshaping the
region’s property sector through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
Opening the discussion, Ms.
Smita Dhanraj Patil, President, NAREDCO Mahi, highlighted that
women’s participation is transforming how the real estate ecosystem
functions—from planning and design to governance and execution. “Empowering
women is not a social cause; it is an economic strategy. When women lead, they
bring transparency, empathy, and long-term vision into an industry that
directly impacts communities. Our goal through NAREDCO Mahi is to create equal
opportunities for women professionals and entrepreneurs while encouraging
gender balance in decision-making roles,” she said.
Shri Shiv Das Meena, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Tamil Nadu
RERA, spoke on the state’s progressive regulatory environment and the need
for sustained industry-government collaboration. He noted that Tamil Nadu’s
real estate market has matured into one of the most transparent in India and
emphasized that continued innovation, inclusivity, and compliance will define
its next phase of growth.
Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO,
addressed the gathering with a focus on the long-term workforce transformation
that inclusion can bring. “India’s real estate sector is the second-largest
employer after agriculture. However, if women are not equally part of this
growth journey, we are overlooking half the potential that can redefine the
sector. The future must be driven by skilling, participation, and leadership
opportunities for women across all levels of construction, finance, and
design,” he stated.
A key highlight was the panel
discussion, “From Regulation to Realisation: How RERA, Developers, and
Women Leaders Can Jointly Enhance Consumer Confidence”, moderated by Ms.
Sukanya Kannappan, Vice President (South), NAREDCO Mahi. The panel focused
on how collaboration between regulators, developers, and women leaders is
essential to fully realise RERA’s goals of transparency, accountability, and
consumer protection. It highlighted women’s growing role in fostering communication,
ensuring compliance, and driving projects that prioritise consumer trust and
sustainable outcomes.
The event’s deliberations
centered on the importance of policy alignment, skill development, and
mentorship for women in real estate. Industry leaders discussed how women-led
initiatives can accelerate the adoption of sustainable construction practices,
support affordable housing goals, and strengthen compliance with frameworks
like RERA.
At the Meet, Ms. Smita
Patil, National President, NAREDCO Mahi, emphasized the importance of women
stepping into the real estate sector with confidence, self-motivation, and a
willingness to learn. She stated that “NAREDCO Mahi is committed to providing
women with opportunities for learning, mentorship, and professional growth.
Highlighting the need for policy support, she urged that special provisions be
introduced for women developers such as faster approval processes and
reservations in leadership roles to encourage greater participation. She
further added that women in real estate must stay self-driven, ready to take on
challenges, and prove their capabilities through their skills, knowledge, and
determination.”
Dr. Hiranandani noted that bringing more
women into formal employment and entrepreneurship within the real estate value
chain would directly contribute to India’s economic goals. “If we can train and
integrate women across planning, execution, and management, we are not just
creating inclusion—we are building stronger, more resilient cities,” he remarked.
The outcome of the meet reflected
a shared commitment among policymakers and industry leaders to ensure that
inclusivity becomes a structural feature of Tamil Nadu’s real estate growth.
Participants agreed that sustainable urbanization can only be achieved when
gender diversity and environmental responsibility are built into the industry’s
core framework.
The meet concluded with the
recognition of speakers, partners, and members of NAREDCO Mahi for their
contributions to the platform’s mission. The networking sessions further
strengthened partnerships among developers, policymakers, and emerging women
leaders, setting the tone for future collaborations in the South.
The event was supported by key
partners, with GTB as the Presenting Sponsor, Addisia as
the Gold Partner, Casa Grand as the Silver Partner, and Alliance
Granimarmo as the Associate Partner.
About NAREDCO
The National Real Estate
Development Council (NAREDCO) was established in 1998 under the aegis of the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, as the apex
national body for the real estate sector. NAREDCO brings together government
bodies, industry leaders, developers, and financial institutions to promote
transparency, ethical business practices, and sustainable growth in real estate
and urban development across India.
As part of its commitment to
inclusivity and sectoral advancement, NAREDCO launched NAREDCO Mahi, its
women's wing, to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals in the real
estate and allied sectors. Mahi serves as a platform for women to lead,
collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to industry transformation and
nation-building.
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