AP Clears TDR-Backed Slum Redevelopment at Velampeta
The project is targeted for completion within 24 months.
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday approved a first-of-its-kind Transferable Development Rights (TDR)-backed in-situ slum redevelopment project at Velampeta in Visakhapatnam.
This would help for 177 Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families to get permanent homes without being displaced from their neighbourhood.
Principal Secretary to municipal administration S Suresh Kumar issued orders permitting the GVMC to execute the project on a design, build, finance and transfer basis through competitive private bidding.
The project combines in-situ rehabilitation, vertical redevelopment of scarce urban land, public-private partnership and TDR as a financing tool. The government has approved a TDR up to 1:4 ratio as the maximum bidding parameter. The development rights will be released in stages linked to 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent physical progress.
The 0.56-acre GVMC-owned site, with about 0.49 acre available for development, is located in Zone-IV, Ward 35, Maharanipeta. A stilt-plus-12-storey building will be constructed, with each beneficiary family proposed to receive a dwelling unit of around 327.95 sq ft and a super built-up area of about 409.55 sq ft.
The project is targeted for completion within 24 months.
The estimated project cost is `28.44 crore, against `10.62 crore available through PMAY-U 2.0, the state share and beneficiary contribution, leaving a financing gap of nearly `17.07 crore. The TDR mechanism is intended to bridge this gap while reducing the burden on the public exchequer.
The government has allowed special relaxations in setbacks, parking and certain fees to make the compact project viable, while directing GVMC to comply with fire-safety, energy-conservation, structural and other statutory requirements.
The complex will have firefighting systems, water and sewerage facilities, storm-water drainage, rainwater harvesting, green spaces and provisions for natural ventilation and lighting. Independent third-party quality testing will also be undertaken.
Municipal administration minister Ponguru Narayana said redevelopment should improve the lives of people where they live, protecting their livelihood links, social networks and access to city infrastructure.
Suresh Kumar described Velampeta as an “urban reform pilot” rather than merely a housing project, integrating social housing, PPP participation, TDR financing and planning reforms. GVMC has been directed to prepare a post-allotment maintenance plan, implement the project in a time-bound manner and submit quarterly progress reports.
Velampeta will serve as a pilot for similar projects under the Visakhapatnam economic region. The government has also directed the commissioner and director of municipal administration to draft a policy on slum redevelopment and middle-class housing, using lessons from the project.
