In Telangana,owning a home through Indiramma Indlu scheme is slipping out of reach for many. Launched by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in March 2024, this initiative offers ₹5 lakh in subsidies to help poor families build houses . But with construction costs soaring,many are scrambling for extra funds, often leading to financial strain .
Despite government backing,the ₹5 lakh subsidy isn't covering real expenses. Take G. Suraj from Sangareddy district — he had to shell out an extra ₹5 lakh beyond the subsidy to finish his home. His nine-month construction journey saw rising prices for cement, steel, and labor shortage as workers flocked to other projects.
Suraj's story echoes across Telangana. Many are dipping into savings or taking loans to complete their homes. Rising costs for bricks, sand, and labor are worsening matters. Delays in subsidy installments add to burden, with masons juggling multiple projects,slowing construction.
The scheme originally aimed for 4.5 lakh houses in Phase I, focusing on families with land but no homes. But requiring ₹1 lakh for foundation work before qualifying for the first subsidy installment is a big hurdle. Many, especially poorer applicants,struggle to gather this initial sum.
Housing and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said 1.35 lakh homes are ready under Phase I,with another 1.25 lakh at the slab stage. As Phase II kicks off,prioritizing hut-dwellers, managing construction costs is urgent.
Officials at Telangana Housing Corporation Limited (TGHCL) admit beneficiaries struggle with borrowing to finish homes. A June government order noted many extend slab projections beyond limits, hiking costs. This undermines efforts to provide affordable housing.
To tackle these issues,TGHCL is considering restricting slab extensions and looking into cost-effective materials and designs to prevent rainwater without big expenses. Housing Project Directors suggest limiting slab extensions to three feet on the front and one foot on other sides to cut costs.
The Housing Corporation also plans to issue sand tokens at house sanctioning to reduce reliance on costly private sellers. Talks with manufacturers aim to streamline supply chains, ensuring beneficiaries get materials directly.
One way to keep costs within ₹5 lakh subsidy is shear wall technology. It uses plastic or aluminum formworks filled with cement and steel, potentially slashing costs and time,finishing a floor in three to five days.
However,shear wall technology needs careful planning and a big initial investment,better suited for larger projects. Though used in high-rises, its adoption in the Indiramma scheme faces hurdles, like precise architectural coordination and difficulty modifying walls once cast.
As Telangana rolls out Indiramma Indlu scheme, controlling construction costs remains critical issue . Without effective solutions,beneficiaries may find themselves stuck in debt or unable to complete their homes.
