HYDERABAD: An 800 sft flat at Rs.6 lakhs should be a good bargain in these days of skyrocketing real estate prices. Yet, HUDA's Rajiv Gruhakalpa Scheme of providing affordable housing to lower middle and middle classes has evoked poor response.

However, HUDA would construct houses in accordance with the demand, said Vice-Chairman Jayesh Ranjan. Tenders would be invited shortly for the same, he added.

Though HUDA had originally planned 1,500 houses in Jawahar Nagar of Shamirpet mandal, only 181 people submitted applications and the required documentsto support eligibility criteria. HUDA had even extended the last date for submitting forms till November 30 when some applicants sought time in securing documents to prove their period of residence and income certificates, Mr. Ranjan said.

The norms imposed by HUDA stipulated that the applicant should have been a resident of Malkajgiri, Alwal municipalities,

Secunderabad MCH divisions of 6, 10, 11 and 12 for at least eight years with an annual income of Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh. Should HUDA have relaxed eligibility norms to attract more applicants?

"No, we did a survey and people have no complaints about eligibility criteria which are laid down to help the deserving. The reluctance is for different reasons like proximity to MCH dump yard in the area and lack of good public transport facilities," Mr. Ranjan said.

Ever optimistic

HUDA is confident that once the first block of houses comes up, things will improve. It had estimated that 1,500 flats in five blocks would cost Rs.90 crores and planned to raise the funds in a tie-up with HDFC. "But since there are less number of flats now, we can fund it ourselves," the VC said.

"We have plans to develop the area on the lines of Cyberabad but it would take some time. The dumping yard too is proposed to be shifted from Jawahar Nagar to a site in Nalgonda or Mahbubnagar," he said.

Point to ponder

But the lack of response to its maiden Rajiv Gruha Kalpa venture made HUDA rethink on other locations announced earlier. It would finalise other locations after consulting the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board.

"Our ventures should not clash," he reasoned.

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