Source : The Hindu Date : 10.06.2009
Work on 3,900 houses nearing completion
G.V.R. Subba Rao
| They are being constructed under the JNNURM programme |
Houses will be ready for occupation in a couple of months: Mayor
Priority for those relocated from canal bunds, Krishna riverbed
VIJAYAWADA: Nearly after a year, the second round of mass Gruhapravesaalu (housewarming ceremonies) for the houses built for the poor are likely to take place in the city.
As many as 3,900 houses that are being constructed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme are in the final leg of construction.
These houses are likely to be completed in a month, as only internal works like painting and fixing of doors remain unfinished.
It was in July last year that the then Mayor, Mallika Begum, persistently followed up the progress of construction and ensured that two blocks of 32 houses each at Radhanagar in Kundavari Kandrika were inaugurated before she stepped down.
Inordinate delay
After an inordinate delay in the progress of construction for various reasons, including Budameru floods and problems in land acquisition, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials have succeeded in completing nearly 3,900 houses at various places, including Radhanagar, Kandrika, New Rajarajeswaripeta and Vambay colony.
Though common facilities like underground drainage (UGD) have not been completed, the houses would otherwise be ready for occupation.
Mayor M.V. Ratna Bindu says the houses will be ready for occupation in the next couple of months. Most probably, they will be ready by August.
The corporation will give top priority, while allotting these houses, to the families that have been relocated from canal bunds, Krishna riverbed, Padmavathi ghat and other areas, she says.
The corporation has taken up construction of houses under the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP), a sub-mission under JNNURM.
The Union Government has sanctioned 21,752 houses, including 14,968 in Phase-I and 6,784 in Phase-II, for the city under the scheme.
The State Government has sanctioned 14,968 houses in Phase-I and 6,752 houses in Phase-II with a unit cost of Rs.1.32 lakhs and Rs.1.40 lakhs, respectively. Another 1,152 houses are being constructed by the Housing Department.
Of the 19,000 houses being built under JNNURM, works are at various level of progress in respect of 13,000 houses, officials say.
At Gunadala
But the construction of houses at Gunadala is yet to commence. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy laid a foundation stone for the housing here in April last. The works have been stopped due to technical reasons related to site, but are expected to resume soon as the problems have been sorted out, officials say.
