AP should exemplify best housing model: CM

Hyderabad, Sept 8 (INN): In an effort to re-brand public housing, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to make cost-effective housing available to people through pre-fabricated and pre-cast technology.

In a review meeting held on NTR Housing Programme today at the Camp Office in Vijayawada, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told officials that Andhra Pradesh should emerge as a state with one of the best public housing models. 'Previous governments had brought bad image to the government by constructing low-quality, sub-standard housing which is inhabitable. They have not been able to make use of prime locations for public housing efficiently,' the Chief Minister said, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Stating that a house should eventually become an asset for owners, the Chief Minister called for standardisation of construction norms for public housing. 'Our houses should be of top quality. We should use the latest technologies in construction such as pre-fabricated structures and also experiment with the concept of incorporating green technologies into it so that the temperatures in the house do not soar.'

According to the Chief Minister, a PPP model of housing will work best as this will ensure transparency and efficient management of projects. The Chief Minister suggested the Housing Department to relegate itself to monitoring the projects while the execution of the projects could be taken over by experienced global and national realty players.

'Come up with a good public housing policy which will include quality, efficiency and social integration of cultures and races. Explore how we can create best colonies mixing Low income group (LIG), Middle income group (MIG) and High income group (HIG) by involving consultants, best international and national real estate players and construction companies. You can also explore if we can give some benefits to house owners who take care of their ageing parents or houses that save energy?,' the Chief Minister said, stating an example of the Singapore model of public housing.

Every colony should become a growth engine eventually, the Chief Minister explained, adding that gradually these places will emerge as an economic powerhouse through supporting activities. 'Explore setting up a corporation or a panel including all experts (national and international) for rural and urban housing which will give ideas on best practices. Eventually, we should also set up a Bureau or a body that will monitor allotments and sale of the houses effectively without any discrepancies.'

For urban housing, the Chief Minister suggested that all the common infrastructure linking the colony or the project should be completed. 'This infrastructure should be linked to the city. Since the houses will be located in urban centres,

To ensure that officials are equipped with necessary skills to deal with the upcoming largescale activity in the housing sector, the Chief Minister suggested capacity building workshops with experts from the field.

On slum upgradation, the Chief Minister asked to assess the total area of the slum and the number of houses as part of it. 'Based on this, can we decide the plinth area on pro-rata basis and that way, those owners who are willing to give some area of their site for common infrastructure can be given profit from the commercial/common infrastructure built in that area. Explore this option and chalk out a plan,' the Chief Minister added.

For funding, synergize both Central housing as well as state housing schemes and find the best policy which reduces loan burden on house owners and enables government to give subsidy, the Chief Minister added.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister also directed the department officials to explore the viability of pre-fab structures and work out the cost-benefit analysis of the technology. 'Construct sample houses within a month. Organize district-level meetings with beneficiaries and seek a consensus on these structures. Assess the financial constraints too,' the Chief Minister said.

During the review meeting, the Housing Department officials brought models houses and explained to the Chief Minister about their viability. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also enquired about the plan for multi-storeyed houses.

The Chief Minister sought details on the number of people without houses or house sites in the state. He enquired whether the department had held any survey to get a headcount on the number of people without houses. To this, the officials responded saying they have take the Census numbers into account.

'Based on the property taxes, power bills paid, assess the total number of beneficiaries. Also, use Google maps to geo-tag existing house sites/structures,' the Chief Minister said, adding that the aim of the government is to enhance the quality of living of the beneficiaries by provoding them quality, affordable housing.

Under the Housing for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) scheme, while the cost per unit (or house) stands at Rs.2.75 lakh, SC/ST beneficiaries will be given a subsidy of Rs 1.75 lakh and for others, a subsidy of Rs 1.5 lakh will be given. Meanwhile the loan granted for SC/ST beneficiaries on the house will be Rs. 1 lakh and for others, Rs. 1.5 lakh. The plinth area will be 275 sq.ft.

The model house will have one multi-purpose room with 2 bedrooms and a toilet. The government is also exploring Ground+1 or Ground+2 models which depend on beneficiary acceptance and availability of lands.

The specifications will include pre-fabricated/hybrid technologies, foundation, walling and roofing, external and internal plastering, kitchen and stair-case. 'Explore collapsible wall concept too,' the Chief Minister suggested, enquiring about the cost for laying pre-cast foundation for these houses.

Meanwhile, Secretary (housing) informed the Chief Minister that they have identified 3,000 locations in the state to construct these houses in this year. Further, the secretary added that if Andhra Pradesh will take up the pre-fab and pre-cast technology for public housing, it will be the first state in India to take up rural housing on such a massive scale.

Bangalore, however, is experimenting with pre-fab technology for public housing. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is constructing 1,520 houses in Bangalore North Taluk, has adopted such a technology.

Reviewing the status of houses being built for Hudhud survivors, the Chief Minister directed the department to update the progress of these houses online.

Minister K. Mrunalini, Joint Secretary to CM Pradhyumna, Secretary (housing) Lav Agarwal and other officials were present in the meeting.