Govt Colonies In Delhi Set For A Makeover
Several colonies in Delhi are set for a makeover, with the Union Urban Development Ministry signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for redevelopment of seven General-Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies in the national capital.
The Union Cabinet had given its approval to the project in July this year.
"After reconstruction, renovation and fresh construction, they (referring to GPRAs) could be increased from the present 12,970 to 25,667 dwelling units. This will help government employees who have to wait for long years to get government accommodations," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had told media in July after the proposal received Cabinet approval.
To be carried out at an estimated cost of over Rs 32,000 crore including maintenance and operation expenditure for 30 years, the project will see existing housing stock of 12,970 replaced with over 25,000 units, along with a better supporting social infrastructure.
Meant for Central government employees, the GPRA constitutes government residential accommodations under the administrative control of the Directorate of Estates in Delhi and 31 stations outside the national capital. The allotment of GPRAs is governed under the provisions of the Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool in Delhi) Rules, 1963.
Over the next five years, the NBCC will redevelop Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar while the CPWD will carry out the work at Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur in a phased manner. Property in all these areas is highly expensive and is part of the incentives of being a government employee. Built decades ago, the housing stock, however, is in a poor state. On the other hand, the number of Central government employees stood at 30.87 lakh according to Census 2011, of which 203,051 were posted in the national capital, comprising 6.58 per cent of the total. So, there is a shortage of housing for government employees, and many must go through a long wait before a housing unit is allotted to them.
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Delhi National Buildings Construction Corporation NBCC News And Views Urban Development Ministry