Mamata Hands Over Keys to Refurbished Home Owners of Bonhooghly Tenement Project

The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, recently handed over keys to the owners of the 'Bonorini', apartments, the public-private partnership initiated under Bonhooghly Tenement Project amidst much fanfare at Barasat, North 24 Parganas.

The project was jointly taken by Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation Department, Siddha Group & Eden Realty Group.

All the apartments have also been upgraded by providing tiled flooring instead of cement finish. Walls are having Plaster-of-Paris (POP) finish instead of regular whitewash. The lobby and staircase have been made with Kota stone instead of regular cement finish.

All these upgrades have been provided at no extra cost as a part of the CSR initiative of Siddha Group and Eden Realty Group in order to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants. The project was completed on time.

"We are very happy to be a part of this unique initiative undertaken by the Government of West Bengal. We have joined hands with Eden Realty and completed the project on time," said Sanjay Jain, Managing Director, Siddha Group.

"The challenge of earning confidence of all families and exceeding their expectations by delivering homes in record time has been the proudest moment of my career. We congratulate the State Government for taking this initiative and reposing faith on us in completing the project. This is the pathfinder for all future redevelopment projects," said Sachchidanand Rai, Chairman, Eden Realty Group.

The Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation Department initiated a project in 2006 to rebuild the dilapidated structures in Bonhooghly Tenement Scheme since they had become unsafe for all families. Through a public auction, Eden Realty was appointed as the PPP promoter and was awarded the project. Sadly, for six years, the project could not take off due to opposition from majority of the inhabitants of Bonhooghly Tenement Scheme.

In 2012, the present government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee floated a new scheme for rehabilitation of these inhabitants which was embraced by all of them to pave the way for development of the project.

Real estate developer Siddha Group joined hands with Eden Realty to execute the project initiated by the Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation Department to rehabilitate about 800 families living in Bonhooghly Tenement Scheme.

Around three years ago when the project was floated, the area had around 540 families living in dilapidated conditions with very poor infrastructure and no sanitization. Now the project houses modern four-storied building with 34 blocks, each apartments covering 644 sq ft area with modern infrastructure and facilities which has been long overdue to the inhabitants. 

The government has transferred these flats to the inhabitants free of cost and will not charge stamp duty fee for registration, a press release said.