BMC floats ₹500-cr shelter housing scheme

BMC has floated Ashray Yojana (shelter scheme), its dream project to provide housing to its conservancy workers. Municipal commissioner, Iqbal Chahal, informed that the civic body has earmarked ₹500 crore for the purpose. BMC will build 12,698 tenements measuring 300 and 600 sq feet across 34 locations in the city. Tenders have been floated for the appointment of agencies on design and build basis. The original plan was conceptualized by noted architect PK Das and the then joint municipal commissioner V Radha. According to BMC sources, around 28,000 conservancy staffers are living in 39 municipal colonies, but most of the buildings are in a dilapidated condition and, at many locations, residents have been moved into transit accommodation. The civic body submitted the design in 2008 and work has already begun in locations like Dadar and Grant Road. In Fort, workers have already moved into their homes.