Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: In a bid to save time, money and employ less manpower than required under conventional methods for constructing dwelling units, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has decided to use pre-cast construction technology for its affordable housing projects in the city.
The development authority Monday declared that it would use the technology to build affordable houses in less time so that urban poor can be rehabilitated within a deadline.
A seminar was organised to sensitise builders, architects, other government departments and stakeholders who are carrying out or are responsible for construction activities in the city. Officials and engineers of BDA, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) and housing and urban development (H&UD) department attended the seminar.
The technology pertains to use of pre-cast concrete in buildings and other construction activities. The pre-cast concrete material is produced by casting mortar in a reusable mould. Factory-made walls, floors and roofs are put in place for construction of multi-storied buildings for quick delivery of service.
According to experts, the development authority will be the first to use the technology in eastern India.
“We will use the technology to build affordable houses on the city outskirts as it saves time and money. It takes a lot of time to build houses on conventional methods. However, through the technology more houses can be built in less time which would help government speed up rehabilitation of urban poor,” BDA vice chairman Krishan Kumar told Orissa POST, adding an open tender would be floated soon by BDA to engage a firm.
Urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo said Bhubaneswar’s 10 lakh population is expected to cross 30 lakh by 2030. In order to meet the housing requirement, the government has decided to construct 15,000 houses in the city every year. About 42 per cent of the city’s population is living in slums.
Precasters India Private Limited (Mumbai) managing director Ramesh Rath said a minimum of one million sq ft area is needed to build houses in Bhubaneswar as per need.
“If around 3,500-4,000 low cost dwelling units are built, BDA can save around five to 10 per cent of its cost. Besides, it will take hardly a year to complete the project as against three years under conventional mode,’’ Rath added.