Jagan Seeks Sites Without Legal Disputes to Construct Houses

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed officials to choose alternative lands for the construction of houses under the government’s flagship Pedalandariki Illu scheme in situations where court litigations are haunting the chosen lands.

The Chief Minister was holding a review meeting on the housing department here on Thursday. “Complete houses in Visakhapatnam by December,” he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government spent ₹2,201 crores on Housing this year. Officials must take legal steps to overcome hurdles in the construction of houses in the R5 Zone of the APCRDA area in Amaravati.

Indirectly targeting the Opposition, the CM commented that several people were joining hands to deny houses for the poor at every step.

The officials explained about the court cases coming in the way of the construction of these houses. “Some 45,101 beneficiaries opted for Option 3 and selection of contractors was also over. The beneficiaries are opening bank accounts and officials are arranging tap water connections, electricity supply and approach roads to these housing colonies,” they said.

As for the construction of Tidco houses, Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to make these colonies self-reliant.

Examining various proposals submitted by the officials, the CM green-signalled construction of commercial complexes to cater to the residents’ requirements and to put up solar panels on Tidco houses.

He suggested that in the first phase, commercial complexes should be set up in 15 Tidco colonies. Steps should be taken to arrange these facilities under the aegis of women.

Officials said they have so far given 71,452 Tidco houses to the beneficiaries and would hand over 29, 496 more in July and 49,604 in August.

Bank loans of ₹2,000 crores have been arranged for the beneficiaries, who have opted for the Tidco houses of 365 and 430 square feet while houses of 300 square feet are being given to the beneficiaries free of cost, they said.

Officials also told the CM that the construction of 4,24,220 houses under Jagananna housing colonies was completed and 5 lakh houses would be ready by August 1.

While construction of 5,68,517 houses has reached roof level and above-roof level,  9,56,369 houses are at various stages. They said the government has incurred an expenditure of ₹2,201 crore on housing so far in the present fiscal.

 The CM directed them to focus on providing basic facilities as the colonies come up and expedite the construction further besides acquiring alternative lands for distribution of house site pattas where court cases have stalled proceedings.

 Advising officials to formulate an action plan to complete construction of houses for the poor in Visakhapatnam before December, the CM affirmed that the government would extend all possible support.

Housing minister J. Ramesh, APSHC chairman D. Dorababu, MD G. Lakshmi Shah, Tidco chairman J. Prasanna Kumar, special CSs Ajay Jain (housing) and Y. Srilakshmi (MA&UD), Tidco MD Ch. Sridhar, APGenco MD K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu, special secretary (housing) Mohammad Deewan and mines director V.G. Venkata Reddy were present.