The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) faces scrutiny over its Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) housing schemes due to significant structural issues. The Kishanwadi housing project, consisting of 94 blocks and 3,008 houses, has 24 blocks declared dilapidated, affecting 896 homes. Built between 2010 and 2012, these houses showed defects from the first monsoon season, including leaks and falling plaster. VMC claims poor maintenance by residents, while residents blame substandard construction. Safety concerns heightened after a ceiling collapse in Jambuva resulted in a fatality.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) had built housing schemes under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) component of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. These schemes, aimed at providing homes to people from various slums, included the Jambuva and Kishanwadi housing projects.
The Kishanwadi housing scheme consists of 94 blocks, providing 3,008 houses. Recently, the VMC declared 24 of these blocks as dilapidated, following similar issues in the Jambuva housing scheme. Notices were posted on 28 of the 94 blocks, advising residents to vacate their homes and only return after necessary repairs. These notices affect 896 houses.
The houses in Kishanwadi, built between 2010 and 2012, started showing defects during the first monsoon season, with water leaking from the terraces. Over time, residents faced several issues, including bursting and leaking water tanks and falling plaster from ceilings. Despite complaints and memorandums submitted to the VMC, problems persisted.
The VMC claims that residents, as homeowners, are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of their homes. They argue that the lack of upkeep over the years has contributed to the current state of disrepair. However, residents like Ghanshyam Bharucha argue that the poor construction quality is the root cause, and they hold the VMC accountable for the shoddy work.
Adding to the urgency, an elderly woman died in the Jambuva housing scheme when the ceiling collapsed on her while she was having dinner. This incident has heightened concerns about the safety and integrity of the housing projects.
The VMC's housing schemes for the urban poor are under scrutiny due to significant structural issues and safety concerns. While the VMC blames poor maintenance by residents, the residents and opposition argue that the root cause is substandard construction. The situation demands immediate attention to prevent further tragedies and ensure safe living conditions for the affected residents.
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