The authorities have to give policy support to ensure the supply of affordable housing for the needy. Merely earmarking a percentage of housing projects for the economically weaker section does not necessarily give them access to housing, according to Ajit Chordia, Managing Director, Olympia Techpark Ltd.

“Sheltering the bottom of the pyramid,” can happen only when the State and Central Governments support affordable housing by helping to bring down cost of construction, by giving land, bringing down interest costs and improving transport infrastructure to link peripheries, which will increase the supply of developable land.

Addressing a seminar on affordable housing for all, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, he said the actual cost of construction can be brought down only when land is available from Government at low cost, interest rates and levies are brought down, and statutory clearances are given on time.

Project approvals

Residential project approvals can be along the lines of that given for IT buildings which were encouraged by permitting construction with statutory clearances granted after the project was completed.

There are successful models for affordable housing globally such as the “self construction model” in Mexico where beneficiaries support each other, do-it-yourself housing, which he is keen to attempt to provide housing for his employees, Chordia said.

He hopes to build the base structure and hand it over for the buyers to do interiors at their own pace. Alejandro Morales, Chief Construction Technical Officer, Value and Budget Housing Corporation, said housing construction should be along the lines of a production line with emphasis on efficiency, cost control and fast delivery.

VBHC has adopted the aluminium form work construction technology that enables RCC construction of housing without bricks. Quality of construction is higher than in conventional projects and speed of delivery is high.

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