2000 govt staff to get new flats in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Family members of 2,000 government employees rejoice as their dilapidated housing board flats in the Race Course area of Kavundampalayam will be converted into brand new flats with modern facilities.

Thanks to the state government’s initiatives which has allocated Rs 300 crore recently to demolish the ruined flats and construct 2000 new flats with modern amenities like lift at Kavundampalayam, a little away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Though the detailed estimate will be prepared later, construction works will be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore, a media report quoting government officials having said.

The houses will be categorised  as A, B, C, which will be 1,200 sq ft, 1000 sq ft and 800 sq ft respectively. This is 200 sq ft more (in each category) than the older government housing.

The new complex will have 10 floors and the construction will be able to sustain large earthquakes and other natural calamities, the report said, adding, the building will have lifts and residents will have adequate space to relax within the compound.

However, the residents continue to live in the TNHB flats, despite being served their notices by the government to vacate to facilitate demolition and re-construction of flats. S Nirmala, a resident at DFO Colony has been living there for the past 25 years. She confirms that they have received their notices, but no alternative living arrangements have been made so far by the authorities, thereby, making it difficult for them to move out.

"Time and again we have complained about the poor maintenance and the need to repair many of the buildings. But our pleas fell on the deaf ears," said P Vijay, another resident.

It should be remembered that in October 2007, 13 people, including three women, were killed and 12 injured when a block of 24 housing board flats collapsed in the city. The poorly maintained three-storey building was reportedly 30-years old and located in Ukkadam, a middle income group locality.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-24/coimbatore/30658871_1_housing-board-flats-government