E-Paper
Revised EWS housing policy: GMADA initiates process to construct 5K houses in Mohali
A total of 22,000 houses will be constructed in phases; flats will be sold to people from economically-weaker classes for around ₹10 lakh per unit
With the Punjab government notifying the revised economically weaker section (EWS) housing policy recently, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has initiated the process to construct 5,000 houses in the first phase. The Punjab cabinet had approved the policy in February.
GMADA will construct a total of 22,000 houses.
The process had been hanging fire for the last six years. Five years ago, the development authority had got back 230 acres of land from 46 builders in the district as part of EWS housing policy, but failed to build any dwelling unit.
Pradeep Aggarwal, chief administrator of GMADA, said that they have floated a request for proposal (RFP) to engage a project management company (PMC) for construction of around 5,000 flats in the first phase.
As per GMADA’s plan, four-storeyed houses will be constructed over 54 acres at four of its townships — Aerocity (13.49 acres), IT City (17.48 acres), Eco City-1 (3.6 acres), and Eco City-2 (20.17 acres).
The flats will be sold to the financially-backward for around ₹10 lakh per unit.
What the new policy states
These houses will be constructed in reasonably-sized pockets with social infrastructure such as schools, community centres and dispensaries at convenient locations to ensure comfortable living.
They will be constructed using latest brickless technology and offered to eligible families and financed by banks at affordable monthly instalment rates.
Eligible applicants will have to furnish proof of birth in Punjab or of 10-year stay in the state. The family’s income should not exceed ₹3 lakh per annum from all sources, as revised by the central or Punjab government from time to time.
The applicants, their spouse or minor child must not already own freehold/leasehold residential plot/dwelling unit in Punjab or Chandigarh, and the applicant will be required to self-certify on these counts.
Policy revised thrice in 12 years
In a 2008 cabinet meeting, the Punjab Housing and Habitat Policy was approved, under which EWS houses were to be built. But, most builders had shirked responsibility.
Thereupon, GMADA took possession of the land earmarked for EWS houses from private builders. Currently, GMADA has 25 mega projects and more than 100 approved colonies under its ambit. Then, in its 2013 notification, the housing and urban development department told Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and other development authorities that if approved builders fail to make houses for the EWS category, they should transfer the land to the government.
Again in 2016, it was approved that the land transferred to GMADA by builders may be utilised for other purposes, and the money earned should be used for constructing houses for the poor.
