Amid rosy economic indicators, like a three-decade low consumer price index (CPI) for March 2025 at 0.7 per cent, a drop in the interest rate to 12pc from 22pc, stability in rupee-dollar parity, a manageable current account deficit and rising remittances, consumers are still facing an uphill battle in purchasing a new or old house/apartment owing to unbearable prices as a result of high construction costs.

The government has taken no serious measures to control the cost of construction, while speculation in property prices has further tarnished buyers’ hopes.

The cost of construction has shown a mixed trend in the last two years due to the rise in cement prices and labour charges against low steel bar rates, but it could not fully encourage consumers to build their dream homes.

A drop in cement sales by 6.6pc during 9MFY25 to 27.46 million tonnes justifies the stance of steel bar makers and market traders about dwindling construction activities.

‘Becoming an owner of even a small house or an apartment is still highly difficult for many people due to high construction costs and shrinking consumer savings’

Despite a lull in the real estate sector in the last two years, the national average price of a 50kg cement bag rose to Rs1,393 per bag........

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