Cuttack, Sept. 5: The municipal corporation is set to launch affordable housing schemes with assistance from the development authority of the city.

According to sources, this is the first time that the corporation plans to come up with projects to provide permanent shelters to nearly 3,000 people belonging to the lower income group.

"We have started the process to identify land for the houses in different parts of the city," said municipal commissioner Gyana Das.

Das said that based on instructions of the housing and urban development department, there are plans to construct nearly 200 houses on one acre. The tehsildars have been asked to identify 15 acres in the city where affordable housing projects can come up to provide shelter to nearly 3,000 people.

Senior officials of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation said the housing project would be constructed for those belonging to the lower income groups and other weaker sections having an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh.

"We want to submit a detailed project report by the end of this month so that other formalities can be completed at the earliest. We hope to come up with at least three major housing projects by next year," Das added.

Senior civic officials said steps were also being taken for housing schemes for middle-income groups with assistance from the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) in subsequent phases.

"The proposals for affordable housing schemes for middle income groups will help those staying on rent for more than 10 to 15 years in the city," said local resident Kishore Das.

Das said that as the development authority had failed to come up with affordable housing schemes for all categories since 2004, most tenants having trouble finding a permanent shelter in the city.

The fate of those who had earlier applied for a plot in sector 13 has been hanging in balance for the past 15 years, as they are yet to get physical possession of the land.

The development authority has been late in making arrangements for the required infrastructure, including roads, electricity connection and drinking water.

The beneficiaries of sector 13 had earlier gheraoed the development authority office on August 30 demanding possession of the plots and development of basic infrastructure.

CDA officials, on the other hand, claimed that already the beneficiaries had been asked to provide a model affidavit to ensure that they did not possess multiple plots.

"Most of the ground work, including the construction of roads, installation of electric poles, are complete while the pending works will be executed soon," said CDA administrative officer Ramakant Kar.

Kar said that once the beneficiaries submit the model affidavits, possession certificates would be issued to them at the earliest.