CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has planned to construct 61,737 units across the state by 2022 and is seeking the help of private developers in achieving the target.
TNHB sources told Express that it is not possible to fulfil the entire housing needs of the economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income group (LIG) category of the society by the Government alone as it involves huge expenditure and human resources. While planning to seek participation of private developers in providing affordable housing, TNHB is looking at various possibilities, including increasing floor space index to meet short supply of land.
Other schemes to woo private developers include premium floor space index for EWS and LIG segments without additional cost, providing basic building materials such as cement and steel at subsidised rates besides waiver of service tax, concession in housing loan interest and suitable amendment in new land acquisition act for alienation of land exclusively for EWS and LIG.
In this regard, TNHB also feels necessary research and development has to be done for finding alternative low cost building materials which are locally available for achieving affordable housing.
Sources said these new building materials have to be included in the Public Works Department Schedule of Rates (SSR).
Further, TNHB is planning adoption of mass construction of housing using factory made precast structures.
It is also learnt that TNHB has started implementing the scheme by adopting this technique in Chennai suburban areas.