TNHB's proposed pre-fab multi-storied residential flats have few takers

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Housing Board’s plan to construct 1,500 multi-storied
residential flats in Shollinganallur by adopting pre-fab technology
has yet to take off due to lack of applications.

The Rs 612 crore proposed project to come up in an extent of 14.41
acres in Sholinganallur is awaiting 1,000 registered applications with
initial deposit before work could be progressed.

The scheme which was initially to be implemented under the
self-financing scheme of the TNHB will now be taken up under hire
purchase scheme and demand assessment is under progress, TNHB sources
said.

Sources told Express the tender for the work under turnkey basis was
awarded to B G Shirke Construction for a value of Rs 329.71 crore with
a condition that the work was to be commenced after receipt of minimum
demand for 1,000 flats.

Interestingly, TNHB took up the project under hire purchase scheme
after only 256 applications were registered with initial deposit as
against 1,330 applications sold.

Even the last date of registration of application was extended to
facilitate more applications. Sources told Express that till now only
463 applications have been registered under the hire purchase scheme.

It is belived each multi-storeyed building is likely to have 10
floors.  TNHB went in for pre-fabrication technology to reduce cost
and construction period. By using pre-fabrication technology, it is
believed that it will save 25 per cent construction time and 10 to 15
per cent on construction cost.

Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure
in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete
assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the
structure is to be located.