KCR’s dream project gets shot in the arm

HOUSING FOR URBAN POOR

Software giants offer to bear maintenance costs of multi-storey buildings in Hyderabad and Warangal, suggest skyscrapers

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s dream housing scheme is set to get a major boost with top IT companies coming forward to do their bit for the cause. IT giants Wipro, Infosys and TCS are understood to have communicated to the government that they are ready to bear the maintenance costs of multi-storey buildings that the government is planning to build for the poor in urban areas like Hyderabad and Warangal.

With little availability of open land in the heart of the city, especially in areas like Banjara Hills, these companies even mooted the idea of constructing skyscrapers with a minimum of 30 to 40 floors in each building. Apart from maintenance costs such as water and electricity bills and wages for security personnel, they even expressed interest to bear costs for two smart vehicles (two-wheelers or four wheelers) for each multi-storey building.

Although this is a welcome move, the authorities do not want to rush into a decision as yet. The big question is how long these software giants could sponsor or bear the maintenance costs. What would be the situation if they decide to withdraw their decision after a few years? These options were also being looked into before arriving at a final decision, said a senior official.

It may be mentioned here that Chandrashekar Rao toured several slums in Secunderabad, Sanathnagar, Khairtabad and old city areas such as Boudha Nagar, Madhura Nagar, LN Nagar, Hamali Basthi, Indira Nagar, Saidabad and Yakutpura during the first phase of Swachh Hyderabad campaign held in May. He offered to build 2-bedroom apartments with all amenities like drinking water and lift in each building, drawing a big applause from the locals.

Rao also promised to build commercial establishments including shops and community halls on the ground floor to meet the maintenance costs of the apartments. Although the Chief Minister proposed five to six-storey buildings, IT bigwigs, as part of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative, have come up with skyscrapers idea.

When asked about the possibility of going for massive constructions, the authorities sounded positive in view of limited land resources in twin-cities. In areas like Banjara Hills, around 100 poor families reside in huts in a small area. A skyscraper with thirty to forty floors, with three apartments in each floor is a good proposition. Sponsors’ coming forward to bear maintenance costs is also a big plus, the authorities feel.

By Mahesh Avadhutha