‘Luxury at affordable price’

Unlike any woman who talks about struggles and difficulties, here’s a woman entrepreneur Sarita Mantri whose life was designed to inspire women professionals in Realty Sector…
What is your opinion about women in the construction industry in India?There are very few women in this industry right now. In comparison with other cities, the number is quite encouraging in Mumbai. In my opinion they are getting the required support and are doing very well.
Do you think they are getting unnoticed somehow?As there are very few women in this industry, at times we feel they are getting unnoticed. On the other hand, there are prominent women professionals in the limelight. According to me, family support plays a vital role in a woman’s career. I am fortunate to get overwhelming support from my family including my husband and professionally from my employees to a large extent.
How would you compare today’s women in this industry to women a decade back in this field?For me, it was very comfortable as I got the opportunity easily. It took little time to understand the criteria and as time passes I keep learning.
How is the Sunil Mantri Group doing?Our group is present in not less than 12 cities right now and we are doing well. We have a project launch in Gwalior – an integrated township comprising of 375 acres called Mantri City. In this project we are offering built villas for ` 20 Lakhs with necessary facilities like hospitals, schools etc. We have quite a few projects lined up in Bangalore, Mumbai, Solapur and Kolhapur.
Where do you find more opportunities in Commercial Real Estate or Residential Real Estate?That varies from project to project. If we launch 900 flats here in parks, we will have very few commercial shops. We are coming up with a super mall and a plaza in Solapur. This makes us one of the first realty companies coming up with innovative thing. Probably that’s the reason we have a first mover advantage and are doing well in commercial as well as residential. Couple of projects are completely sold out there.
Why did you choose a city like Solapur which is not developed enough?We have been in Solapur since the last 20 years. As far as Gwalior is concerned, we are new. Everybody wants luxury nowadays. They want to spend money whether it is a small city or big city. Nobody wants to go to a theatre and watch movies, rather they prefer multiplexes. Similarly they want shopping malls in their own cities; they do not wish to travel to other big cities like Pune or Mumbai. Therefore, with an aim to provide more comforts in the small cities, we have decided to focus more on Tier II cities.
Which are the next tier two cities?Kolhapur and Sangli. Outside Maharashtra, we are planning something in Uttar Pradesh. We are expanding our footprint, so whatever best suits us, we will move ahead there.
Can you highlight the issues the construction industry is facing that are hampering the growth?FSI is one of the major factors where the first target is builder. However, our associations like MCHI and BAI are working together to sort out the differences with local government.
What are your ‘Green’ initiatives?We have positioned ourselves as provider of ‘luxury at affordable prices’. We do not focus on offering subsidies for affordable housing. We are moving towards green buildings concept and there are three buildings with this concept already being constructed by us. The factors like rain water harvesting and solar energy that makes the building green are incorporated in the design.
What are your key projects after you joined the Mantri Group?There are many projects. It is very difficult to choose one. Mantri Park – a project in Mumbai with 950 flats, and Mantri City are some of the dream projects. We are also planning for skyscrapers in Walkeshwar.
What are the factors taken into consideration while conceptualising a construction project?After identifying a land, we do market and economic feasibility studies. We also take into consideration the requirements of locals.
How do you manage both family and business?Not difficult. I dedicate only 6 hours a day in my business. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to work like this.
Your motivation…My family is one of the greatest motivations for me.
Being a woman, did you face any difficulties while joining the industry?This construction industry was never meant for women, it is still dominated by men. Its’ a different industry altogether, you have to work with the labour and visit the site. As far as my career is concerned, I did not face any difficulties because it was a ready platter for me. Initially it took time to understand the basics, but I am used to it by now.
Your message to the next generation who wants to enter this fieldThe younger generation is very smart. They are coming up with new ideas and rather I am learning from them. I am learning certain things from my children as they have updated systems, processes which I have not learnt.
Your message to women in this industryIt’s a good place. You can come and enjoy it like any other industry.
Where do you see Sunil Mantri Group after 5 five years?I would like to see the Sunil Mantri Group in the list of top 25 realty developers in India. As of now we are one of the leading developers with a pan India presence. We have registered almost 300 per cent growth.

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