Hyderabad: 2BHK targets may not be met in near future

Rajendranagar: Even as the December deadline for distribution of 2BHK is nearing, officials are at a loss, saddled as they are with lakhs of applications.

According to official sources, as per a tentative schedule, a total of 1,143 houses at seven locations are ready for inauguration on December 20. Construction of another 20,980 houses will be completed at 15 locations by the month-end. "We will be able to complete another 76,093 houses by 2021-end to achieve the target of one lakh houses," the sources informed. Already, the cash relief distribution among the flood victims played a spoil spot for the government in the recent GHMC elections. On the other hand, the issue of distribution of double bedroom houses among the poor is staring in face of the harried officials.

The government has proposed to construct one lakh double-bedroom houses in the State with a project cost of Rs 8,598.58 crore under its ambitious dignity housing project for the poor. To execute the project, as many as 111 locations (around 57 in GHMC limits and 71 in neighbouring Ranga Reddy, Medchal and Sangareddy districts) had been identified.

In GHMC limits, a total 14,673 houses are in different stages of construction, while the remaining are being raised in surrounding districts. According to the latest official data, construction of 1,784 houses at eight locations was completed and 1,232 were handed over to beneficiaries at Singam Cheruvu Thanda, Syed Sab Ka Banda, Khidki Bood Ali Shah, Chittaramma Basti, Yerukala Macharamma Basthi, Ziyaguda, Kattelamandi and Ghode Ki Khabar areas.

To complete the mammoth task, the GHMC needs balance funds of Rs 3,757.88 crore, which poses a great challenge to the State government given its strained relations with the Centre after the GHMC results.

Of the total project cost, the sources added the housing department released Rs.5,956.71 crore which spent. Bills of Rs 150 crore are pending. There is an urgent need for Rs3,757.88 crore to complete the project. However, as per a conservative estimate, around four lakh applications were received, so far, in GHMC limits alone.