By: V. V. Balakrishna
Giving an impetus to the State government’s ambitious initiative to provide two-bedroom houses to the needy, around 20 construction companies, including those from USA and China, have expressed willingness to partner with the project.
In what can be termed as a big relief to the government, the companies have agreed to claim the bills only after the completion of the housing project. Officials said the government is trying to tap funds from various sources to make the scheme a success.
Sources with the Housing department said the announcement made by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to use Mywan technology for construction of two-bedroom houses for the poor is attracting international companies. Construction companies from USA, China, Bangkok, Canada and other countries have expressed willingness to join hands with the government in implementing the pro-poor project, an official told the Express.
The houses, which will be constructed using Mywan technology, will be pre-fabricated and the construction of an apartment will be completed within six months. “International companies have agreed that they will claim the bills only after the completion of the houses,” sources claimed.
The State government is planning to construct two-bedroom flats with a plinth area of 560 sft at Rs 900 per sft. It means that each flat would cost Rs 5.4 lakh. However, some companies have offered rates ranging from Rs 850 to Rs 880 per sft, less than the rate quoted by the government.
The proposed houses will have two bedrooms, one hall, a kitchen and two toilets. In the first phase, the state government is planning to construct at least 50,000 houses and the cost has been pegged at Rs 2,500 crore.
The state government is trying to source loan from Hudco and other funding agencies to execute the project. “We have accorded sanction for construction of G-plus-two apartments in Warangal and Mahbubnagar districts. The model flats will be ready by Batukamma festival. The CM will conduct a detailed review on the programme and finalise the modalities before his China visit,” the sources said.
The government has already sanctioned construction of two-bedroom houses at IDH Colony in Hyderabad. However, the construction cost is high with each unit costing Rs 10 lakh, the sources said.
Empowering the underprivileged
- Canada, China, Bangkok and USA firms ready to take up Home-for-poor scheme.
- Unit cost fixed by the govt is Rs 900 per sft.
- Companies quote Rs 880 to Rs 850 per sft.
- Govt to source loan from Hudco.
- Model flats will be ready by Batukamma festival.
- Weaker-section housing policy likely before CM’s China tour.
Source: The New Indian Express