The Hindu 23.11.2009

VUDA’s mega housing project launched

Special Correspondent

Port Trust Chairman Ajeya Kallam being briefed about the project with the help of a model after the release of brochure of VUDA’s ‘Haritha’ project at a function in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Chief Executive Officer, Jurong Infrastructure, M. Rao, VUDA chairman V.N.Vishnu and VUDA secretary Surya Bhagavan are seen.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The long awaited Rs.100-crore mega housing project of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, named ‘Haritha’, was formally launched at a colourful function here on Sunday. Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Ajeya Kallam, released the brochure of the project, being executed by the Jurong Infrastructure, signalling the launch of the project. The project, with lush green landscapes, is designed for quality living. It would have 710 housing units (LIG, MIG and HIG) spread over 21 acres. It is scheduled to be completed in 24 months. On the first day itself 360 applications were sold.

Vice-Chairman of VUDA V.N. Vishnu said that the project was conceived way back in 2004, but due to various factors it could not take off. It was redesigned to make it affordable to all sections of people. Mr. Vishnu said that for some reasons the credibility of VUDA came under cloud, but completion of this project would enable it to regain its credibility. Crucial inputs have been obtained from all sections in redesigning the project, he said, asserting that the idea was to make the ‘city of destiny’ a ‘city of destination’ and a ‘city of delight’. “We stick to the promise of ‘Singapore Class Township’,” Mr. Vishnu said.

Appreciating the efforts of VUDA in overcoming all hurdles and taking the prestigious project, Mr. Kallam wanted the authorities not to compromise on quality of work. People who had taken units from the VUDA projects previously were happy, he said, asking the executing agency to stick to the time schedule . Mr. Kallam, who attended a meeting in Kolkata recently, recalled how people of Kolkata wanted development of the city on the lines of Visakhapatnam.

Mr. Kallam was sure that with projects like Haritha, IT SEZs, and other new townships, Madhurawada would develop on the lines of Madhapur in Hyderabad.

VUDA secretary Surya Bhagavan, Chief Planning Officer Anand Babu and Jurong Infrastructure CEO M. Babu participated. VUDA media advisor Prabhakara Reddy welcomed the gathering.

Hindustan Times 20.11.2009

People looking for affordable houses in Mumbai will get another chance to try their luck.

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will start distributing forms for 3,500 houses this December.

The lottery to decide who gets to own low-cost houses in Mumbai will be held in the months of April and May.

The houses are located at Sion, Ghatkopar, Versova, Mankhurd, Gorai, Magathane and Malad-Malvani.

Amarjeet Singh Manhas, chairman, MHADA (Mumbai Board) said there is great demand for state low-cost houses.

“Our houses are subsidised and we provide good quality construction,” said Manhas.

“In this lottery the major thrust would be on providing houses to economically weaker sections and people from the low income group category,” he added.

Forms will be distributed and accepted in January and February. Applications will be scrutinize through March and April after which the lottery will be held.

During the previous draw held in January this year, 4.34 lakh citizens applied for 3,863 flats.

The lottery system was computerised to ensure transparency.

This time, the state housing authority has made it compulsory for applicants to specify their bank account numbers so that the deposit amount of the unsuccessful applicants can be directly credited to the applicants’ accounts within 24 hours of the results of the lottery.