In Devanhalli Taluk, Bangalore rural, 711 houses had collapsed in the heavy rains during Oct.-Nov. 1991.

CAPART, New Delhi sanctioned funds for the re-building of 50 houses – 10 at Devanhalli and 40 at Vijaypura.  The same was sanctioned under the Jawahar Rojgar Yojana housing scheme.  The primary objective of the project was to provide relief housing to the rain affected SC/ST families.  The secondary objective was generation of employment opportunities for the rural youth through production units.

The project was sanctioned in January’92 CAPART’s assistance in the project was to the tune of Rs. 5,65,000.  The local contribution was to total Rs. 2,15,000.  The list of beneficiaries was confirmed from the local authorities and the physical construction activity commenced July’92.  The project was completed in all aspects by April’93.

The plinth area of each building is 180 sqft.  The design of the building was prepared by Development Alternatives.  The walls are of stabilised soil blocks, the roof comprises of MCR tiles over ferrocement rafters.  Other features of the building include cement flooring, MS angle iron door, pivoted bison board windows.  Internal plastering, external pointing and painting of the doors and windows were also provided.

Development Alternatives provided support to the project through the contribution of soil testing facility and manufacture of building elements.  All equipments for the production of building materials such as soil blocks, roofing tiles were also provided by Development Alternatives.

Local contribution from the beneficiaries was obtained in the form of material and labour.  The total mandays of employment equivalent to 339 days per houses was generated.

At the project site unskilled labour in the process of construction activity were trained in the production of soil stabilised blocks, MCR tiles, etc. and related building activity.  Consequently a team of skilled workers are created at the place.  It is envisaged that these trained workers can benefit in getting gainful employment in the future by setting up building material enterprises.

Shelter and the New Economic Policy

The housing shortage in India estimated to be 29.1 million dwelling units in 1991 will rise to 40 million houses by 2001 if present policies, technology and delivery mechanisms continue and no new initiatives evolved.  The Government of India has embarked upon a major programme of macro-economic stabilisation and structural adjustments.  The key objectives of the Government’s restructuring plan are liberalisation and globalisation of the Indian economy.  There is a feeling that the new economic policies may lead to growth and stabilisation of the economy, but the poor may be faced with declining employment opportunities and real income, price rise, increasing costs of housing and lowering of living standards.  The new industrial policy is likely to have major impact on social infrastructure as well as on housing and land market operations.  The housing sector is especially sensitive to interest rates and credit policies.  It responds rapidly to shifts in national macro-economic management.