GST Cut on Cement: Will Homebuyers Really Benefit, or Will Developers Pocket the Gains?

The GST Council’s decision to cut cement tax rates to 18% is expected to reduce construction costs by 3–5%. But will this relief ever reach homebuyers? Drawing from two decades of reporting on real estate, Varun Singh argues that past experience shows developers rarely pass on such benefits. From premium reductions to infrastructure boosts like the Coastal Road, home prices have only risen. Unless homebuyers collectively demand accountability, this GST relief too may remain only in builders’ profit books.

Homebuyers to Benefit as GST on Cement, Building Materials Cut From Sept 22

The GST Council’s landmark reform slashes tax rates on cement and key construction materials from September 22, 2025. Homebuyers stand to gain as lower input costs reduce project expenses by 3–5%, boosting affordability in the mid-income and budget housing segments. Experts including Anuj Puri (ANAROCK) and the Cement Manufacturers’ Association hail the move as transformative, with potential to revive demand and accelerate project launches ahead of the festive season.

What and Who Failed Mumbai?

By Varun Singh Mumbai is often described as India’s financial capital, the…

‘We Cut Costs, You Raised Prices’: CM Fadnavis Slams Builders at CREDAI-MCHI Event

At CREDAI-MCHI’s leadership change event in Mumbai, CM Devendra Fadnavis criticised developers for raising home prices despite the government meeting their demands, including premium cuts and infrastructure upgrades.

Affordable Housing Faces Fresh Threat from US Tariffs on Indian Exports

Affordable housing’s share of sales in India’s top cities has plunged to 18% in H1 2025. US tariffs on Indian exports could further hurt MSMEs—the core buyers of budget homes—risking defaults and slowing launches.