The Indian Express 20.09.2013
RUDA plans 2,200 homes for urban poor
In two major decisions, the board of Rajkot Urban Development
Authority on Thursday cleared a proposal to build 2,200 houses for the
poor at the cost of Rs 120 crore and gave the nod to install solar
street-lights in 54 villages within its limits.
“The housing project is part of the state government’s efforts to
provide affordable housing to the urban poor. We have identified land
near Kalavad road for the project. Architects have been engaged and the
process is on to hire project management consultants,” RUDA chairman
Ajay Bhadu said after the quarterly board meeting.
A release issued by RUDA stated that 2,200 units were being
planned for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income groups
(LIGs) on five plots. While EWS units would have carpet area of 25 to 30
square feet (sq ft), LIG dwellings will have carpet area ranging from
31 sq ft to 50 sq ft. Work on the project was expected to start by
November this year and would be completed in two years from then, the
release further said.
In another major decision, the board also approved the proposal
to install streetlights in 54 villages within RUDA limits. “The board
has also approved the project to install street-lights in all the
villages under RUDA. These will be solar lights and therefore village
panchayats will not require to pay any electricity bill,” Bhadu further
said.
RUDA officials said the project is likely to cost the authority
around Rs 5.4 crore. Lights would be installed on the main streets and
village chowks, officials added. “To counter the threat of theft of
solar light batteries, we will be selecting light-systems with overhead
batteries,” Bhadu said. The board also cleared financial estimate for
the Ring Road-II, connecting Jamnagar Raod with Kalavad Road on the
north-western periphery of the city. “There has been quite a lot of
development taking place in the area. This road will facilitate further
growth. Tenders have already been floated for the project and work would
start shortly,” the RUDA chairman said.
RUDA has set aside Rs 18 crore for the 9-km-long ring road and officials
said planning was on to build three river bridges for the project at an
additional cost of Rs 15 crore. Tenders have already been invited for
6-km Ring Road-II, linking Bedi to Maliyasan on the north-eastern
outskirts.
