{"id":36551,"date":"2025-06-11T17:01:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homesbuildings.com\/?p=36551"},"modified":"2025-06-11T17:01:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:31:53","slug":"leading-through-transition-domnic-romells-decisive-years-at-credai-mchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/?p=36551","title":{"rendered":"LEADING THROUGH TRANSITION DOMNIC ROMELL\u2019S DECISIVE YEARS AT CREDAI-MCHI"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an exclusive edition of Developers Diary, Homes & Buildings Magazine sits down with DOMNIC ROMELL<\/strong>\u2014entrepreneur, builder, and the President of CREDAI-MCHI. From steering Romell Group through two decades of transformative growth to navigating Mumbai\u2019s volatile real estate climate during the most reform-heavy years in history, Romell has not only built structures but shaped policies, bridged industry divides, and redefined what leadership in real estate can look like. In this conversation with H&B Media Network, he reflects on his legacy, leadership, and the road ahead\u2014 for both Mumbai and the sector at large.<\/p>\n

Romell Group completes over two <\/strong>decades in the business. What <\/strong>does this journey mean to you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s been nothing short of extraordinary. We started as a humble prop-up shop and today, we operate a team of 150 professionals, having delivered more than 3 million sq. ft. and over 3,000 homes. It\u2019s been a fun, fulfilling journey, but also a serious responsibility.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve positioned Romell Group in <\/strong>the smart and affordable housing <\/strong>segment of Mumbai. How do you <\/strong>navigate that in one of the world\u2019s <\/strong>most expensive real estate markets?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Everyone thinks affordability in Mumbai is a contradiction\u2014but it\u2019s actually about balance. We buy land wisely, develop efficiently, and that ensures our prices remain fair. The biggest misconception is that affordability is a product of subsidies. In reality, it\u2019s about design intelligence and responsible cost structuring.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve previously pointed out <\/strong>that India\u2019s GST definition of <\/strong>affordable housing is disconnected <\/strong>from Mumbai\u2019s ground reality. Could <\/strong>you elaborate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Absolutely. A 645 sq. ft. flat qualifies as affordable housing across India. But in Mumbai, the same home can easily cost \u20b91.5 crore because of land values. The current GST framework penalises this disparity\u2014it\u2019s less about affordability and more about a one-size-fits-all taxation. It\u2019s an ongoing battle between revenue logic and urban affordability.<\/p>\n

You led CREDAI-MCHI during one <\/strong>of the most critical periods\u2014postCOVID recovery, RERA implementation, <\/strong>and policy realignments. What has <\/strong>been your proudest milestone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s been a period of reforms and rethinking. I\u2019m proud we secured crucial policy interventions\u2014like the deferred payment plan, extension of DP, clearance of backlog EPs, and resolving many setbacks. But I didn\u2019t do it alone. I had a fantastic secretariat, a committed executive body, and a government that was receptive when approached with practical solutions. MCHI wasn\u2019t just a platform\u2014it became a process.<\/p>\n

What were your toughest <\/strong>challenges as President of <\/strong>CREDAI-MCHI?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The biggest challenge was managing sentiment. The industry went through trauma\u2014demonetisation, GST, NBFC collapse, pandemic, RERA. But our collective calm, rationality, and persistent engagement with policymakers helped stabilise the industry. The Maharashtra government deserves credit\u2014they weren\u2019t just reactive; they were open to hearing us out.<\/p>\n

What were your toughest <\/strong>challenges as President of <\/strong>CREDAI-MCHI?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The biggest challenge was managing sentiment. The industry went through trauma\u2014demonetisation, GST, NBFC collapse, pandemic, RERA. But our collective calm, rationality,
\nand persistent engagement with policymakers helped stabilise the industry. The Maharashtra government deserves credit\u2014they weren\u2019t just ; they were open to hearing us out.<\/p>\n

MCHI is unique in bringing small <\/strong>and large developers to the <\/strong>same table. How did you ensure that <\/strong>inclusivity?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We ensured that everyone\u2014whether they were building 30 flats or 300\u2014 had a seat at the table. Environmental concerns, policy implications, or raw material costs don\u2019t discriminate by project size. When you listen to both ends of the spectrum, the solutions you propose are more grounded.<\/p>\n

What do you hope your successor <\/strong>will carry forward from your <\/strong>legacy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I don\u2019t think in terms of legacies. I believe in continuity. My successor, Sukhraj Nahar ji, is seasoned, sharp, and deeply respected. He doesn\u2019t need my advice\u2014but he\u2019ll always have my support. Leadership is about carrying the baton forward, not clinging to the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Now that your presidency has<\/strong>
\nended, what\u2019s next?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not stepping away\u2014just stepping back. This phase is about identifying where the industry needs bold intervention and focusing my energy there. It\u2019s also about mentoring, strategising, and being a sounding board where needed.<\/p>\n

One of the future trends you often <\/strong>speak about is \u201cWalk to Work.\u201d <\/strong>Why do you believe this matters?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In cities like Mumbai, time is luxury. Walk-to-work isn\u2019t just an urban design principle\u2014it\u2019s an emotional need. It means being present at dinner with your children, reducing carbon
\nemissions, and improving mental health. It\u2019s not aspirational anymore\u2014 it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n

Which micro-markets are you <\/strong>betting on right now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve always been bullish on the Western Suburbs. I\u2019ve completed over 65 projects there. It\u2019s not about comfort zones\u2014it\u2019s about understanding the pulse of a neighbourhood. But yes, I keep exploring new value pockets where infrastructure is catching up.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve spoken in the past about <\/strong>your admiration for Dr. Manmohan <\/strong>Singh. What about him inspired you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s his calm, measured reforms. He didn\u2019t make noise\u2014he made history. He showed us that real change doesn\u2019t need a rallying cry. It needs clarity, conviction, and courage.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the most valuable piece of <\/strong>advice you\u2019ve received?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Focus. In real estate, distractions are everywhere\u2014speculation, politics, competition. But if you stay focused on the home you\u2019re building, the family you\u2019re serving, and the impact you\u2019re leaving\u2014you\u2019ll never lose your way.<\/p>\n

Finally, one quote you live by?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cEvery setback is like your heartbeat\u2014without the lows, there\u2019s no life.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In an exclusive edition of Developers Diary, Homes & Buildings Magazine sits down with DOMNIC ROMELL\u2014entrepreneur, builder, and the President<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4423,4424],"tags":[7054,7055,2657,7056,7057,7058,7059],"class_list":["post-36551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-developers","category-interviews","tag-affordablehousing","tag-realestateleadership","tag-urbandevelopment","tag-credaimchi","tag-domnicromell","tag-mumbairealestate","tag-walktowork"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36551"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36551\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}