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GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg interacting with the Velampeta residents in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg on Tuesday visited Lakshmi Nagar in Velampeta and interacted with the residents, explaining the proposed Velampeta slum development project. He cleared doubts about the housing complex, allotment of flats, infrastructure facilities, temporary rental assistance and assurance documents.

The GVMC has drawn up a special action plan to construct modern multi-storeyed houses at the same location for 177 poor families residing at Lakshmi Nagar, Velampeta. It is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the State, aimed at improving the living standards of families living in slums by providing them with modern apartment-style housing at the same location without relocating them elsewhere.

The Municipal Commissioner said a modern multi-storeyed residential complex would be built at the same location at an estimated cost of ₹40 crore. Each family would be provided with a flat measuring about 410 sft and valued at ₹20 lakh free of cost. Each flat would have essential facilities including a kitchen, bedroom and washroom. The building would be designed with 15 housing units on each floor and lift facilities would be provided to all floors.

To facilitate the construction works, the Municipal Commissioner requested the residents to vacate their existing houses and temporarily shift to rented accommodation. Rental assistance of ₹3,000 per month would be provided to each family until completion of the houses, with the amount for the first six months being paid in advance, he said.

“The objective is not only to provide a house to poor families but also to create a well-equipped residential community where these families can live in dignity,” he said.

The housing complex would be provided with a community hall, a park with play equipment for children, greenery, lifts, internal CC roads, streetlights, drinking water supply, drains and sewerage facilities, besides other essential infrastructure, he said.

To facilitate the construction works, the Municipal Commissioner requested the residents to vacate their existing houses and temporarily shift to rented accommodation. A rental assistance of ₹3,000 per month would be provided to each family until completion of the houses, with the amount for the first six months being paid in advance, he said.

Assurance documents relating to the land and allotment of flats would be issued to all 177 families, providing security about their future entitlement. The Commissioner showed the residents a model assurance document and details relating to the proposed allotment of flats.

Though the project is estimated to be completed within 24 months, the Commissioner said efforts would be made through a special action plan to complete the construction within 12 to 18 months.

GVMC Additional Commissioner P.M. Satyaveni said the project would mark a new chapter in the lives of the 177 poor families of Velampeta Lakshmi Nagar.

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