Retail gathering pace in the Sohna Region

By: Ankit Kansal, MD, 360 Realtors

The Sohna region, till recently held limited significance as it was largely believed to be outpost of NCR. The region had limited access via motorable road and was mostly termed as a market for affordable housing. Located at south of Gurgaon, Sohna was believed to be a separate region. It was largely a remote location interspersed with semi-agrarian societies and industrial clusters, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Gurgaon.

However, things have greatly changed. Sohna is now becoming a bustling hub for new residential communities, commercial catchments, and retail projects. While many regions in main Gurgaon is reaching saturation, Sohna is becoming a parallel hub for growth & development.

Infrastructure Push
Sohna region is witnessing a huge push in terms of infrastructure. In 2022, the elevated 21 km long, 6-lane expressway has been unveiled between Sohna and Gurugram, which has greatly enhanced the connectivity of the region. The elevated expressway, which emanates from the Kumara Mangalam University in Sohna and goes till Rajiv Chowk in Gurugram is part of the NH-248 A. Increased accessibility has given a big thrust to Sohna’s real estate market.

The expressway is also the northern terminal of the 98,000 crore Delhi-Mumbai expressway project. The biggest roadway project built under the flagship of the NHAI will be reduce the travel time between Sohna, Jaipur, and Mumbai. Once fully operational, commute time between Delhi and Mumbai will come down to 12 hours.

The expressway project will also be developed in tandem with the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Together both the mega projects will give push to numerous industrial and warehousing businesses in the Sohna and the nearby region, with special focus on automobile, automotive parts, logistics, agribusiness, chemical & fertilizers, minerals, food processing, etc.

Scenic Beauties
Although the National Capital Region (NCR) is not known for its rich scenic beauties, the Sohna and the nearby region still offers a breather. The Sohna region situated in the foothills of the beautiful Aravali ranges, is fraught with thick greeneries, green-capped hills, verdant valleys, and much more. There are ruins from the Kamboj era, archaeological sites, popular temples, hot water springs, etc. There is the 380-acre Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Damdama lake, and the 12 km long stretch of leopard trail, known for its unique charm and breathtaking views, something which is not common in the NCR region.

Spurt in infrastructure development and inherent tranquility is also making Sohna a favorite spot for the premium and luxury residences. While the middle-income households are shifting to Sohna, lured by its future potential and enhanced livability, the HNIs are also pivoting to the region. Sohna is perfect place to avoid the hustle bustle of the NCR and bond well with nature. Conseuently launch of villa projects, gated communities, luxury builder floors are also jumping in the region.

The New Retail Haven
Sohna region is becoming the new retail haven with a host of big projects lined up such as Metro Street 83, Bazar 89, Gallexie 91, Elan The Mark, Satya the Hive, Smart World One, etc. As per the study by 360 Realtors, in the Sohna and the New Gurgaon region, a total retail projects spread across 45.2 acres are in the pipeline.

Alongside the Golf Course Extension Road (GCER), Sohna comprises one of the fastest growing retail markets in the NCR. Presently there is limited penetration of retail malls, arcades, and Plazas, which is further giving impetus to the growing retail industry.

The growth in retail won’t be just limited to horizontal growth but vertical enrichment as well. Alongside Mall, there will be focus on new-age retails  comprising of mixed-use projects, entertainment hubs, food courts, etc. Retail operators will come up with new projects that can give better value to the visitors apart from just day-to-day transactions.