The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) aims to finish the construction of the Chandrasekharpur Affordable Housing Project (AHP) by March next year, providing 2,600 ready-to-move units for slum dwellers. The project, executed in a public-private partnership mode, recently saw a partial inauguration with 800 units completed, of which 303 will be allocated to beneficiaries in Phase I.

The initiative encompasses four slums?Narayani Bachelor Barrack Basti, Telugu Basti, Kimviria Basti, and Srikrushna Basti? with 97 dwelling units already assigned to beneficiaries from these areas. In early November, a high-level meeting was conducted by the BDA to identify additional beneficiaries. During discussions, priority was given to slum dwellers affected by development projects, such as those in Saraswati Basti near Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, impacted by the construction of a tourism convention centre.

Special consideration has been extended to residents of Venkateswar Basti in Unit V, displaced due to the construction of Kharavela Bhawan and residing in a transit house in Niladri Vihar for six years. They have been prioritised for house allotment. Similarly, slum dwellers from Adivasi Gaon and Shakti Nagar under Salia Sahi, affected by road construction, have been tagged and allocated houses in the affordable housing project.

BDA Vice-Chairman Balwant Singh proposed the inclusion of these three slums to the housing and urban development department for integration into the affordable housing project.