Building materials for a steal at Kochi
The recently opened Nirmithi Kendra outlet at Kalamassery, for building materials is, at present, hampered by limited stocks of steel, cement, solid blocks and so on.
But all this is going to change soon, says Robert V. Thomas, Regional Engineer, as the State government has entered into agreements with Malabar Cements and completed discussions with Ispat Nigam Ltd. for supply of materials.
“We have got a good number of enquiries at our store and the limited stock gets over within two days,” Mr. Thomas said. The hitch in supply will be overcome in the coming few days. “We are waiting for the Government Order for supplying sand that is lying on the Collectorate ground at Kakkanad.”
Sand will be supplied at Rs. 450 a cubic metre for people below the poverty line (BPL) and at a 5 per cent margin for those above poverty line (APL) who construct houses with an area up to 2,000 sq.ft each. Over 1,000 loads of sand have accumulated at the Collectorate, Mr. Thomas said.
The bulk orders from Malabar Cements and Ispat will help to make available steel and cement at prices even lower than the prevailing rates. Cost of 8-mm steel is now Rs. 42.50 a kg for BPL families and Rs. 44.50 for APL families compared with Rs. 57 a kg in the open market.
Cement is available at Rs. 258 a 50-kg bag for BPL families.
The rates will be brought down when bulk orders are received. For APL families, cement is available at Rs. 270.80.
The outlet will produce and stock solid and hollow blocks and concrete window and door frames. For uninterrupted production, the production yard will be roofed soon, Mr. Thomas said.
The costs of hollow concrete blocks made in the proportion mix of 1:4:6 are Rs. 23.40 for an 8-inch unit, Rs. 17.90 for a 6-inch unit and Rs. 11.15 for a 4-inch unit. Hollow bricks of 4 inch made in the proportion of 1:5:10 costs Rs. 10.50 a unit. Solid blocks of 30x20x15cms cost Rs. 18.40 a unit.
The outlet has sold 490 bags of cement, 17 tonnes of 8-mm steel, 5.5 tonnes of 12-mm steel and 4.3 tonnes of 16-mm steel and about 1,200 units of solid blocks during the past two months. Overall, the outlet recorded a sale of over Rs. 15 lakh.
Mr. Thomas said the government’s efforts to promote low-cost building materials would help the poor families.
Besides selling building materials, the Kendra conducted training in carpentry, masonry and building material production. It can be contacted on ph: (0484) 255 5944.
SHYAMA RAJAGOPAL
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