This note raise many policy issues related to real estate and the urban sector. Urban issues and the very high cost of real estate in India have deep rooted problems that have their origin in the policy, law and working of government. The potential of high growth to deliver benefits to people but especially the poor have to a large extent been negated by the large perversities that underlie the real estate sector in India. These have been compounded by structural problems in governance. Without correction it is unlikely that India would be able to face to the challenges in rapid urbanisation that lies ahead.