AFNHB Coimbatore project takes off

AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING:Rear Admiral R. Gaikwad (second right), Director General, Air Force Naval Housing Board, taking a look at the plan of the welfare housing scheme to come up at Ganapathy in Coimbatore, after laying the foundation for it on Thursday. Wing Commander M.J. Bobby (right), Project Director, is in the picture.

The welfare housing project of the Air Force Naval Housing Board (AFNHB) took off at Ganapathy here on Thursday.

First of its kind in Coimbatore, the foundation for the Rs. 88-crore project to come up on 13-odd acres, was laid by Rear Admiral R. Gaikwad, Director General, AFNHB. The contract for execution of the project has been given to Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited.

Launching the project, Rear Admiral Gaikwad said it would have 372 dwelling units besides a swimming pool, community centre, and jogging path. “The project is scheduled to be completed in two years taking into fact the satisfaction of the allottees. The construction will be fast paced with focus on three key areas – quality, safety, and ensuring completion on time,” he said.

The project was aimed at providing affordable accommodation for serving and retired Air Force and Naval personnel. So far, 29 such projects had been executed in various parts of the country. At present, 10 were on-going, Coimbatore being one of them. The scheme in Shimla had just been completed and another one in Bhubaneswar was to be launched shortly, the Rear Admiral said.

“The board procures land from the government at economical rates for execution of these projects. Proximity of hospitals and schools are taken into consideration before identifying land,” he added.

V. Reghunath, Assistant Director (Works), AFNHB, said there would be four categories of houses for the officers, and two categories for the sailors and airmen.

“A model house / flat in each of the six categories will be ready in eight months. The approximate cost of each dwelling is being worked out with the contractor and the allottees will be intimated the price soon taking into consideration the escalation rates and upgraded specifications. Since the project is slated for completion in two years, the payment schedule will be staggered for seven to eight instalments,” Mr. Reghunath said.

With regard to availing of loans for the project, he said the required documents of Plan Approval, and Land Registration were available, and a Tripartite Agreement among the bank, board, and the allottee, should facilitate sanction of loans.

Only on completion of the project in its entirety, dwelling units would be allotted by number / floor / block by draw of lots by an allotment committee to the allottees.

Wing Commander M.J. Bobby, Project Director of the Coimbatore project, besides serving and retired Air Force and Naval personnel, were present.