Pride Aloma County, Pune - FlatGradings Opinion

1/31/2016 FlatGradings 0 Comments

Project Details

Project      : Pride Aloma County
Builder      : Pride Housing
Locality     : Aundh Ravet Road
City            : Pune

Analysis

Builder & Project Review:
Nostalgia reigns supreme as we start writing this review. Home purchase evokes a lot of emotions. For a large number of Indians, their first homes would most likely have been 1 or 2 BHK's more end usage than investment. The product is a necessity rather that has transcended all divisions based on social class - rich, poor and middle. Something that brings joys, but alas, glory days have finally come to an end it seems for home buyers with builders failing to deliver on promises and that’s why it doesn't surprise me when a developer is thrashed on social media.

What surprises me is that Pride Group a leading development firm in the field of residential, commercial & space, established in 1988 which has built and delivered over 10 million sq ft of constructed area in Bangalore and Pune, and has over 40 million sq ft under construction across various real estate segments according to their website is struggling here.

Let's have a look at what is happening in this 45 acre of a land parcel which makes the customers unhappy.

Aloma means dove in French. Dove stands for peace (something the homeowners feel is missing here). Located in Pune's most coveted region Aundh, Aloma County is a 45-acre township divided into four zones - Irene Towers, Carmenta Towers, Olivia Towers & Aquena Towers

And we shall be focussing on Irene which was launched 4 years back.

Quick Fact Check:

A School within the township, Designer entrance lobbies, Landscaped garden, Pool with bubblers, Multipurpose court for volleyball etc., Floating pavilion with tensile roof, Children’s play area with equipment, Swimming pool & baby pool with deck, changing rooms with steam room, Club House with gymnasium, Multipurpose hall with kitchen, pantry and washrooms, Reception, conference room and business centre, Indoor games, Skating rink, Cricket net, Table tennis, Putting green, Multi-purpose court, Jogging track, Acupressure pathway, Senior citizen’s plaza, Adequate visitors parking, Generator backup for common areas and lifts, Two automatic lifts and stretcher lifts, Driveways in concrete and paved pathways with landscaping, Rainwater harvesting

On paper it's perfect. Before we deep dive into the project lets have a look at the location.

Connectivity:

Aundh is located in the North-West suburb of Pune in Maharashtra has seen exponential growth in the past 5 years. Proximity to the University of Pune and IT Parks helps in appreciation. The project is tucked in into a corner in Aundh which is not great today but over a period of time, you can expect development and better connectivity.

Walkability index: A walk score of 73 as per walkscore.com indicated the area is pretty walkable. In years to come, this area is going to develop further ensuring great social infrastructure.

Master Plan:
The master plan is well laid out, well-spaced out buildings, low footprint and landscaping in the centre give the project a nice open feel. The amenity block is laid out in the centre of the towers which is positive. Clubhouse includes a gym, swimming pool, tennis court, & a community hall

Floor Plan:

The plans are almost identical in all towers. Let's look at the 2 BHK in the A wing, there are 4 apartments per floor & the bedrooms are approximately 140 sqft. each and the master bed comes with a deck which is well thought off. The washrooms are 50 sqft. in size which is again good.

The living and dining space is small, though. Approximately 210 sqft. in the size you might have hoped for a little more space probably an L-shaped layout could have helped. Having said that there is a saving grace an approx. 100 sqft. attached deck area will give your living space the much-required openness and enough light to make it look spacious. A welcome addition to the plan! So overall the layout is good.

The apartment comes with vitrified flooring & matt finish flooring in decks and the kitchen comes with black granite top, S.S.Sink & ceramic tile dado.

CP fillings are regular, there are enough electric points in the apartment to ensure all your electronic gadgets are operational.

Our Opinion

Pros:
We like everything on paper

Cons:
So now that almost everything looks as planned what it really irking the customers

Let's check out:

This is what customers are talking about on indianrealestateforum.com

"Aloma County Pune – Complete Disaster and Rip Off"

I was surprised that the brokers community call it ghost place as most tenants they have sent to this society ran away after days/months. Well, tenants can go and find another place quickly but buyers are stuck in this rat hole as there are hardly any takers for resale in Aloma County.

The bright name of Pride Purple, which may be attracted few, is dimming fast as people struggle with day to day issues after paying hefty amounts for a basic flat in Aloma County shit hole.

1. AMAZING LOOKS: The complex looks like a PLAIN building – like builders used to design the decade ago.

2. PARKING – WHAT A JOKE: The dual parking was a rip off from the builder to squeeze money out of poor buyers. There is a machine in the parking to park cars on two levels :) Now, who is going to operate and maintain that machine when basic machines like a lift are not working out. These guys can not even make an elevator work. In Irene towers, one or the other elevator is ALWAYS out of service – without fail.

3. AH THE PEACE: The constant buzzing noise from the adjoining water waste management is definitely going to give you migraines quickly. Not to mention the foul bad smell from this.

4. WATER SUPPLY? WHAT IS THAT: There is NO WATER CONNECTION to this society. Bore water near the waste nullah is another threat. The untreated and unpoachable TANKER WATER is sure shot invite to skin and hair disease Many children are falling sick in Aloma County as they accidentally drink up tanker water while taking the bath. The tanker water source is known to all — wells, gutters, rivers, ponds, anything where waste and excreta is disposed. So all buyers, come and pay millions and live the good life of a slum and jhopad putty. Collect water in buckets and drums and earthen pots. What a life :)

5. AH, THE VIEW: The complex is nicely surrounded by a gutter flow (nullah) which is making a perfect boundary for this complex. A perfect foul smell for all residents for free. Also, free mosquitoes, free dengue, free malaria for all residents – who ever dare to step out in the so called garden area.

6. CHILDREN? ALOMA is ONLY FOR COUPLES: The complex is NOT AT ALL CHILDREN SAFE. There are open ditches in the garden and common area – posing a big threat to one or two children that dare to play in the area. There are two small swings in large complex of thousands of residents !! Already five children have been sent to the hospital as they fell in the unprotected water conduits – which were built as the marketing gimmick.

7. Free LABOUR CAMP: With your flat, you will get daily quarrel of labours staying in the labour camp. Now, do not be mistaken that these are Aloma County labours. These labours stay on the property (which you are paying for), but work in other buildings of Pride Purple. Every morning there are tractor loads of people commuted from the labour camp to other construction sites of Pride Purple group around the city. So, you are facing the smoke, noise, and issue of concentration camp – free of charge (well no, you pay for the land when you buy flat).

8. ELEVATORS? NO PLEASE CLIMB STAIRS: If you are still planning to buy a flat in this place – go for first or second floor MAX. The elevator is ALWAYS under maintenance. The whole complex is made with the sub-standard material. The lift can easily be identified as duplicate one – bought from some fake company. One or the other elevator is always down. So, if you are rushing to any place, kiss the lift goodbye and run for stairs – before they also crumble down.

9. WHAT FITTINGS: Ah the shining bathroom fittings, Oh the big shower head. Don’t be fooled, just try the simple flush and you will know the bad quality of the bathroom fittings.

You need to build your muscles well to press that thing. Old age residents are hiring servants to just press that toilet to flush button. What a modern world of Aloma County!

These are the issues listed by existing home owners which are shocking:

“There is no water supply from PMC in last 5 months. No electricity backups, foul smell, constant noise and labour fighting in complex issues are driving us crazy here. There are multiple blogs and comments in this regards too

                alomacountysucks | Big Rip Off by Pride Purple and NaikNavare

There is a concern being raised by many residents with regards to the waterbody / nullah it seems the smell from the nullah is quite strong. The situation becomes more horrible in summers.
See images below.

Source: http://www.indianrealestateforum.com/real-estate-pune/t-gold-cost-aloma-county-8090-page12.html

Ratings:

Location     :     

Layout       :     

Amenities   :     

Floor Plan   :     

Final verdict:
Having said that let me accept that it's best to judge a township once complete. We like the project on paper, but till the issues are not resolved its better to wait.