The ₹28.44-crore project will provide modern multi-storeyed housing to 177 underprivileged families at the existing location where they currently reside.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narayana said: “The project is the first-of-its-kind in Andhra Pradesh. It was conceived in response to the difficulties faced by residents living in the cramped houses, especially during the rainy season. Some of the houses were as small as six to eight square feet and residents faced considerable hardship.”
The Minister said that when he had brought the resident’s problems to the notice of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister immediately directed the authorities to take up the issue and bring it before the Cabinet. “The Municipal Administration Department and other officials subsequently approved the project in record time,” he said.
Mr. Narayana explained that the buildings would be constructed using shear-wall technology, similar to that adopted in Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TIDCO) housing. The technology uses concrete walls throughout the structure, which will provide greater structural strength and durability, the construction cost could go higher.
The Minister said that the project would be developed at an estimated cost of ₹28.44 crore. Each family will be provided a flat measuring about 410 sq ft and valued at approximately ₹16.07 lakh.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said that the complex would come up on 2,691 square yards. The building will comprise a stilt floor plus 12 upper floors, with the stilt floor earmarked for parking and services. The cost of each dwelling unit is ₹16.07 lakh. Of this, ₹1.50 lakh would be provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), ₹1 lakh by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and ₹3.50 lakh will be the beneficiary contribution. The remaining ₹10.07 lakh will be met through Viability Gap funding in the form of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR).
Mr Garg said: “ In the first instalment a total amount of ₹31.86 lakh has been provided as rental assistance for 6 months to facilitate alternative rental accommodation for beneficiaries during the construction. The assistance was calculated at ₹3,000 per month.” If the construction extends beyond the stipulated time period we will provide financial assistance additionally.
Mr. Narayana said that the contractors had initially sought 18 months to complete the project, “but I insisted on a shorter timeline of six months. Finally we fixed a deadline of nine months.” Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the completed project by the end of next July next year, he said.
Mr. Narayana said the Velampeta project would be the first- -of-its-kind in the State and that the government would soon take up similar slum redevelopment projects in other parts of Andhra Pradesh. He acknowledged the efforts of the district Collector, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner, Municipal Administration Secretary and other officials in bringing the project to the foundation stage.
MLA Ch. Vamsikrishna Srinivas said that the project would fulfil the long-cherished demand of residents of Velampeta.
District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore appreciated the coordination among public representatives, GVMC officials and beneficiaries in taking the project to the implementation stage.