Efforts to equip economically weaker sections in the tech capital with houses have received a positive response: Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Limited (RGHCL), which is implementing the chief minister’s 1-lakh housing scheme, has got more than 40,000 applications.
The scheme envisages building 1 lakh houses in Bengaluru Urban district — in multiple locations spread across Anekal, KR Puram, Dasarahalli, Byatarayanapura, Mahadevapura, Yelahanka and Yeshwantpur — in phases. Approval has been given for 46,499 houses in the first phase, shows data up to mid-March. People were allowed to apply in August 2021 and construction has begun for 42,984 houses.
The scheme, first announced in the 2017-18 budget, was strengthened in 2019 and work on projects — under the Centre’s housing-for-all programme — began in late 2019. A total of 1,165 acres of land was identified for the projects, but only 553 acres of no-encumbrance, litigation-free land was available.
Of the 42,984 houses, roofs have been cast for 7,821, site clearance is going on for 9,142 and digging and ground levelling are happening for 5,584. While 6,688 houses are at the foundation-laying level, plinth-building work is going on for the remaining 13,749.
In August 2021, the government allowed people to apply for houses, and up to March 16, 2022, 40,092 applications were received. But only 6,227 of the applicants have paid the initial deposit of Rs 1 lakh so far. Of those who have paid, 4,127 have completed the process of selecting their houses or flats.
“All the houses/flats are being built on par with private builders’ projects, using the best technology available. All mandatory approvals (from various departments like fire, local bodies, etc.,) have been obtained and we are aiming at delivering at least 1,000 houses by the end of this month or early June,” RGHCL managing director Basavaraju S told
Constructed in ground+3 and stilt+14 formats, a 1-BHK house is estimated to cost Rs 10.6 lakh, while the cost of 2-BHKs is yet to be ascertained. The government will provide subsidies — Rs 3.5 lakh for SCs/STs and Rs 2.7 lakh for others — to eligible applicants and facilitate loans to cover the rest of the cost.
However, the subsidy is only for 1-BHK houses and not for 2-BHKs. Out of the 46,499 sanctioned houses in the first phase, 38,403 will be 1-BHKs and 8,096 2-BHKs.
As far as helping applicants avail loans goes, Basavaraju said: “We have submitted building layouts and plans and other relevant documents to banks, which are in the process of seeking legal opinion. We do not anticipate any problems in this regard as banks have also been instructed during the SLBC (state-level banking committee) meeting.”
He added that applicants will need to submit the required documents, including income certificate, to avail the loans.
As part of the second phase, the government has kickstarted the process to build 14,322 houses. Agreements have been signed with contractors for 7,308 houses, while tenders have been called for 7,024 more.
Further, 467 acres of government land have been identified to build 40,000 houses. Proposals have been sent to tahsildars and deputy commissioners concerned to transfer the said land parcels to RGHCL.
