Jorawer Singh, Chandigarh, September 13, 2009: The long pending proposal of UT engineering department to replace the old government houses with the modern multi story apartment is all set to become reality soon. Some 1437 houses constructed about 55 years back, have been earmarked for phasing out. These houses spread over sectors 27, 28 & 29, already having outlived their utility, now falls under “Beyond Economical Repair” category. As per the proposal, 110 single unit flats will make way for 400 flats in the first phase. These compact, four storied flats, will increase government-housing-capacity four fold. Explaining the process, Mr Narinderpal Sharma, Executive Engineer with department said “These 400 flats will be issued to people residing currently in these type-13 houses in other earmarked location, and then those will be demolished and new blocks will be built, and so on and so forth, we will be able to finish the entire project without any of the occupant of Government accommodation, rendered homeless at any point of time”.
“Rather than spending INR 150 to 200 thousand per house every year on maintenance, it is wise to make one time investment on a new construction which will break-even within four years. This will besides provide a better quality and higher number of residences” said Mr Sarjit Singh, a retired SDO. “Though this may not gel with the housing plan proposed by Le Corbusier for the city, but considering modern lifestyle and the practicalities, this is the best alternative and will take care of deficit in the demand of Government accommodation” feels the Finance Secretary, Mr Sanjay Kumar.
As per the assessment of the department, renovating the existing houses keeping in mind the approved specification would have a cost impact of over over INR 220 million while the cost of constructing a block of 400 houses is estimated to be about INR 60 million. If these flats are constructed as green building, besides reducing the electricity and water bills for the occupants of these flats, will also earn the UT Engineering Department incentives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which has already adopted and launched green building rating system: GRIHA in North India.
There are many government flats about 10 of them lying vacant in sector 23 D in two rows on the center road. The people who deserve to have these are not getting these and they are also getting spoiled. some one from engineering department should also take a look on those.
sardara singh