Construction work for the central government’s ambitious Light House Project (LHP) started amid heavy security at Ranchi’s Dhurwa area on Tuesday morning. The locals, who are protesting against the construction, were not allowed to gather at the site by security forces deputed by Ranchi administration, officials said.
Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) director JV Narayan Rao said, “The work started hassle-free with no problem and no protest. Everything was peaceful.”
The Centre recently held up funds for LHP--foundation of which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 1 this year--due to delay in beginning of construction work. According to state officials, the work could not take place due to protest by locals, who were demanding shifting of the site, as they claimed it was the only playground for children.
However, the Centre warned that it will not release the fund until satisfactory progress on the project was seen. It also asked the urban development department to begin the construction work within a week. Then, the department wrote to Ranchi administration last week for providing adequate security to initiate the project work.
Meanwhile, work of soil testing, barricading and factory set-up also started at the site on Tuesday. “If everything goes as per plan, the work will now continue till it gets finished,” adding that the government project aims to provide dwelling units to the poor.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, work of soil testing, barricading and factory set-up also started at the site on Tuesday. “If everything goes as per plan, the work will now continue till it gets finished,” adding that the government project aims to provide dwelling units to the poor.
{{/usCountry}}The entire construction site turned into a fortress with deployment of heavy security forces on Tuesday morning. A section of the locals tried to protest but they were not allowed. Basti Bachao Sangharsh Samiti (BBSS) convener Mintu Paswan said, “The protestors were threatened not to gather at the site. As there was a weekly market in Hatia on Tuesday, majority of the protestors were out of home since morning.”
Under the LHP, as many as 1,008 affordable houses will be constructed for the poor and middle-class people. The project will come up on 7.5 acres of land using innovating construction technologies named ‘NAVARITIH’ (new, affordable, validated, research innovation technologies for Indian housing) at an estimated cost of ₹133.99 crore.
LHP will include on-site infrastructure development such as internal roads, pathways, common green area, boundary wall, water supply, sewerage and drainage system, rain water harvesting, solar lighting, external electrification and others. The carpet area per flat will be around 315 square feet.