The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is set to complete the Chandrasekharpur Affordable Housing Project (AHP) by March next year, delivering 2,600 ready-to-move units for slum dwellers. The ongoing public-private partnership initiative recently reached a milestone with the partial inauguration of 800 units, 303 of which will be allocated to Phase I beneficiaries. Know more about it on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
The project targets four slums—Narayani Bachelor Barrack Basti, Telugu Basti, Kimviria Basti and Srikrushna Basti—with 97 dwelling units already assigned to beneficiaries from these areas. In a high-level meeting held in early November, the BDA reportedly discussed and identified additional beneficiaries, prioritizing those affected by development projects, such as Saraswati Basti near Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, impacted by the construction of a tourism convention centre.
Reports suggest, special attention has been given to residents of Venkateswar Basti in Unit V, displaced due to the construction of Kharavela Bhawan and residing in a transit house in Niladri Vihar for six years, where they are prioritized for house allotment. Similarly, Adivasi Gaon and Shakti Nagar under Salia Sahi slum dwellers, who are affected by road construction, have been identified and allocated houses in the affordable housing project. According to Balwant Singh, Vice Chairman, BDA a proposal has been issued for the inclusion of these three slums to the housing and urban development department for integration into the affordable housing project.
(Image for representational purpose only)