Three rows of houses painted in ivory, rose and green at New Rajarajeswaripeta catch the attention of one and all. The houses are ready to occupy with all facilities, but have not been allotted yet.
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation spent crores of rupees to construct them under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission programme.
The district administration allotted the site of about 10 acres, which was under the Urban Land Ceiling, for taking up housing for the urban poor. The landowner moved the court opposing the construction.
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The court did not pronounce any judgment in favour of the petitioner. Instead, it asked the VMC not to stop the works. The court, however, directed the VMC that allotment be made only after intimating it. The VMC officials so far have not taken measures to get the stay on allotment vacated, sources say.
The corporation constructed 544 houses at New Rajarajeswariperta at a cost of about Rs.10 crore. Of this, the Central Government provided Rs.4.62 crore as its share while the State Government's share is Rs. 2.72 crore.
The VMC began construction of the houses in G plus three model in 2008, and completed them by October 31, 2010. The houses are ready in all aspects as the VMC had already provided electricity, underground drainage (UGD), water, roads etc. But the houses have not been allotted, sources say.
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VMC senior officials feel that lack of coordination among different departments has led to the undesirable situation. They lament that there were no moves from town planning or legal section to get the stay vacated though the houses were ready nine months ago.
The newly constructed houses would lose sheen if not allotted in time. The VMC would have to maintain the houses until they were occupied by beneficiaries, officials said, adding that it would be an additional burden on the Corporation.