The Indian Express                20.09.2013 

RUDA plans 2,200 homes for urban poor

In two major decisions, the board of Rajkot Urban Development Authority on Thursday cleared a proposal to build 2,200 houses for the poor at the cost of Rs 120 crore and gave the nod to install solar street-lights in 54 villages within its limits.

"The housing project is part of the state government's efforts to provide affordable housing to the urban poor. We have identified land near Kalavad road for the project. Architects have been engaged and the process is on to hire project management consultants," RUDA chairman Ajay Bhadu said after the quarterly board meeting.

A release issued by RUDA stated that 2,200 units were being planned for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income groups (LIGs) on five plots. While EWS units would have carpet area of 25 to 30 square feet (sq ft), LIG dwellings will have carpet area ranging from 31 sq ft to 50 sq ft. Work on the project was expected to start by November this year and would be completed in two years from then, the release further said.

In another major decision, the board also approved the proposal to install streetlights in 54 villages within RUDA limits. "The board has also approved the project to install street-lights in all the villages under RUDA. These will be solar lights and therefore village panchayats will not require to pay any electricity bill," Bhadu further said.

RUDA officials said the project is likely to cost the authority around Rs 5.4 crore. Lights would be installed on the main streets and village chowks, officials added. "To counter the threat of theft of solar light batteries, we will be selecting light-systems with overhead batteries," Bhadu said. The board also cleared financial estimate for the Ring Road-II, connecting Jamnagar Raod with Kalavad Road on the north-western periphery of the city. "There has been quite a lot of development taking place in the area. This road will facilitate further growth. Tenders have already been floated for the project and work would start shortly," the RUDA chairman said.

RUDA has set aside Rs 18 crore for the 9-km-long ring road and officials said planning was on to build three river bridges for the project at an additional cost of Rs 15 crore. Tenders have already been invited for 6-km Ring Road-II, linking Bedi to Maliyasan on the north-eastern outskirts. 

The Indian Express             18.09.2013

Amid drumbeats, DDA to launch slum resettlement plan in Kalkaji today

Salman, a resident of Navjeevan Camp, holds a pamphlet announcing a scheme, whereby 8,000 slums located in Navjeevan Vihar, Jawahar Camp and Bhoomiheen Camp in Kalkaji Extension are expected to give way to multi-storeyed flats for residents in these areas.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit will be inaugurating this project, on Wednesday in which Salman along with a few others have been roped in "to play the dhol to attract the crowds''.

Salman, said the brochures for this project had been distributed days in advance. The residents of the area, however, are sceptical about the project.

Sheila Dikshit is expected to lay the foundation stone for this in situ redevelopment plan for A-14 Kalkaji Extension in which three slums will be developed into multi-storeyed flats by Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

"DDA is going to take up this project on its own. The work will be taken up in three phases. There is an empty plot near the slum cluster which has been earmarked for a community centre. Work will begin there in Phase-I and residents of 3,000 slums will be shifted there. Once people shift into these flats, new flats will be constructed in the vacated area. The cost of the project will be borne by DDA,'' an official said.

This project is expected to comprise of 15-16 storeyed buildings and will cost Rs 235 crore. According to the brochures, work on the project is expected to begin on October 25.

Recently, under political pressure, DDA had also announced rehabilitation of slum dwellers in Vikaspuri in newly constructed flats in Dwarka.