Vadodara: The residents of Madhavnagar and Keshavnagar housing schemes that were razed in 2013 seem to be running out of patience now. The housing schemes developed by Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) around 2002, but a block in Madhavnagar had collapsed on August 28, 2013, killing 11 persons.Tests revealed that the structures of other blocks in Madhavnagar as well as those in Keshavnagar housing scheme located nearby were also weak. All the blocks in these two schemes were eventually razed.A decision to develop houses for the residents on a public-private partnership was taken and it was also decided to give them rent till the new houses came up. Till the projects came up, the developer is also supposed to give Rs 1,500 as rent to those who lost their houses at the two schemes. Madhavnagar had 458 dwellings while Keshavnagar had 266 dwellings.VUDA initially gave the contract for the project to NA Constructions, but it would not manage to take up work on the project and another contractor had to be identified. Even the second contractor started dragging his feet and the project was eventually allotted to Manav Infrastructure in 2016 after which some development took place on the site. Under the new arrangement houses for both Madhavnagar and Keshavnagar residents were being constructed on the land where Madhavnagar once stood. The Keshavnagar land is being developed by the realtor for commercial purposes.After making repeated pleas to VUDA officials, the residents seem to have run out of patience. On Tuesday, they burnt an effigy of VUDA officials in the Atladara area of the city where the housing schemes are located.“It has been over five years since the collapse and we are yet to get houses. VUDA officials do not give us any concrete replies and when we go to the office, they call the police and avoid meeting us,” said activist Nagin Valand, who used to stay in Keshavnagar.Another issue being raised by the residents is that of 244 residents not being given houses.Valand said that VUDA had decided not to give homes to those who had defaulted on the advances given to them for the houses that collapsed and those who had given their houses to others. “The loan term was of 13 years and has still not ended. Also, those who were staying in the houses had a right to get a new home as they had paid the original owners for the dwellings,” added Valand.

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