GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority has set a target to build 13,500 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by next year, but construction has begun on only 850 units as of now.The GDA will build 36,000 houses in total under the scheme by 2021, a decision that was announced by vice-chairperson Kanchan Verma on her first day in office on Wednesday. Sources said a directive had come from Lucknow to concentrate on the housing scheme before the general election of 2019.“The GDA has already sent a detailed project report to the state government for 7,066 units under PMAY. We will soon start work in six places to build the housing units,” said Verma.As of now, construction work has started only in Madhuban-Bapudham, where 856 houses will be built. The other areas where the affordable dwelling units would come up by next year are Koyal Enclave (1,800), Pratap Vihar (1,910), Masuri (1,441), Newari (528) and Dasna (532). “But barring Maduban-Bapudham, construction work under PMAY is still to take off. I will be holding a high-level meeting soon to expedite the process,” Verma said.According to the GDA’s plan, 13,500 houses would be built by 2018-19, 18,000 by 2019-20 and another 4,500 by 2020-21. Apart from the GDA, private developers have also been roped in for constructing houses under PMAY.“As of now, six builders have come up with a proposal for 3,047 units and it is being examined by the GDA,” said an official. “Private developers get some incentives if they construct houses under PMAY, which includes 50% rebate on development fee and no charge on land use. But they have to complete the work within 24 months, else they will not be entitled for these incentives,” he added.The developers that have assured units under PMAY include Signature Global Developers (873), SCC Builders (252), Jai Ambay Estate (147), Aradhya Builders (251), ATS (765) and Ajnara India Ltd (318). Each house built under the PM scheme costs Rs 4.5 lakh, of which the Centre contributes Rs 1.5 lakh and the UP government Rs 1 lakh. The remaining amount has to be borne by the beneficiary.

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