NAREDCO Meet Highlights Growing Role of Women in Shaping Tamil Nadu’s Real Estate Future

Chennai, November 13, 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, 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 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, 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.