Malaysian low-cost homes for Andrha Pradesh slum dwellers

CHENNAI: Malaysia has proposed a low cost housing model to the Andhra Pradesh state government, a concept to help eradicate slum dwellers, and provide affordable housing for the local population.

Malaysia's Special Envoy (Infrastructure) to India Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu mooted the idea to the southern state's Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy during an official visit this week.

"We have proposed to the chief minister about the desire of Malaysian companies to build low cost houses in the state that can help in slum clearance.

"It will be a reliable, cheaper and efficient model that we are proposing and soon we will submit a complete report to the state government," he told Bernama here.

Samy Vellu led a delegation to the state to scout for opportunities for Malaysian contractors and consultants in the fast-growing Andhra Pradesh largely in the infrastructure and housing development sector.

According to latest government statistics, there are an estimated eight million slum dwellers in Andhra Pradesh and the authorities were introducing new housing schemes to make it a slum free state by 2014.

At the meeting, the former Works Minister also proposed the construction of five-storey apartment blocks comprises 100 units that could be built within three months by a team of trained workers.

He also added that solar panels would be installed on rooftops of each block that could generate electricity supply, which occupants can tap, for free.

During the visit, the state's Minster of Infrastructure and Investment Komatireddy Venkat Reddy mentioned that Andhra Pradesh was exploring a high-speed railway project linking Hyderabad and Wijayavada.

The railway line, spanning approximately 250km in length, could help slash travel time for commuters between the two robust cities. — Bernama