Over a month after the foundation stone for a Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) colony was laid in this village for land outees of Kondapochamma reservoir, construction work seems to be progressing at a brisk pace. The workers are racing against time to meet the July-end deadline.
Two model houses have been completed but for the plastering work.
Although the initial plan was to have 1,055 houses in the colony, only a total of 800 are being constructed at present.
The foundation stone was laid on March 11 and as many as 1,050 labourers — bar benders, plastering workers, electricians and plumbers and regular labourers — were hired from within Telangana as well as other States like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal to see the work through.
Labourers are being hired by some who have taken sub-contract from the main contractor. More than 500 rooms with asbestos sheets have been erected for their temporary accommodation.
“My wife and I have been working here for a daily wage of ₹300 per head. The contractor has been giving us ₹1,000 per week to meet our expenditure. We will collect the remaining amount when we leave for our native place during Dasara,” said Yellaiah, a labourer from Warangal.
Measures, however, are yet to be put in place for amenities like power supply, drinking water lines, sewage, construction of temple, an anganwadi centre and a school at the upcoming colony.
Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao inspected the ongoing work on Monday and interacted with the beneficiaries.
“This will be the best R&R colony in India equipped with all facilities. We will issue orders to create other infrastructure facilities shortly. People came forward and handed over lands to the Kodnapochamma reservoir despite adverse campaign by Telangana Jana Samithi president Prof. Kodandaram. We [the State government] will protect the interests of oustees,” said the Minister.
