KOCHI: Reconstruction of houses has begun for residents in the area known as Shanthipuram Colony, located in 44th division of Kochi corporation in Karanakodam. Corporation has designed the project to construct new houses for 197 families in the colony using Life Mission and CSR funds.
The existing houses are very old and lack proper security. “Providing them with safe and secure homes has been one of the long-term goals of the municipality and was announced in the budget. Under the leadership of Azadi Group’s Architecture Engineering College, a plan has been prepared to construct apartment complexes in blocks of eight homes each, across three cents,” mayor M Anilkumar said.
“The expected construction cost for one house is Rs 10 lakh. However, the maximum amount the corporation can provide per family under LIFE scheme is Rs 4 lakh. We are unable to use any other funds for this purpose. The challenge before the corporation was to find the remaining Rs 6 lakh per house. Assurances have been received for CSR funds of Rs 1 crore from BPCL Kochi Refinery and Rs 50 lakh from Sobha Group. Phase I construction activities will commence soon,” Anilkumar added.
“Division councillor George Nanat also took the initiative to ensure the project becomes a reality,” he said.