IN FULL SWING: Work in progress at Singareni Colony near Saidabad in Hyderabad. - Photo: Satish H.

HYDERABAD: The major fire accident that rendered them homeless ten months ago, in hindsight, appears to be a blessing in disguise.

Some 3,024 families that were living in ramshackle dwellings lost most of their humble belongings in the fire that ravaged Singareni Colony in Saidabad on February 9 this year.

Now living in nearby shanties, the denizens are looking forward to move into the G+3 houses being constructed for them in the same colony by March. Their optimism is not without reason, given the pace of work the mediapersons witnessed on Thursday.

A total of 96 blocks, each with 32 units, were planned in 14 acres but following a court stay order, construction of 56 blocks for 1,792 units in seven acres acquired from Roudra Housing Society commenced by September-end, said District Manager, Housing, A.Vijayalakshmi.

But the administration was hopeful that the court stay on the remaining seven acres belonging to employees of the Industries Department would be vacated soon to facilitate the construction of the remaining blocks, said RDO M. Hanumantha Reddi.

Timely completion

"The district administration is keen on completing the houses by February-end within the six-month time frame set by the Government without compromising on quality," she said.

Steel and cement were being procured from reputed companies like Tata Steel and Maha Cement selected through the tender process and quality checks for steel, cement, sand and concrete were getting done by sending samples to JNTU and reputed labs and they were found to be of right grade set by the ISI, she explained.

A Nirmiti Kendra centre for production of hollow bricks was set up at the construction site itself.

A unique feature was the involvement of a beneficiary committee that supervised the quality of construction.

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