In a move bringing relief to residents of the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions, the Uttar Pradesh Awas Evam Vikas Parishad (Housing and Development Board) is preparing to launch new housing schemes in the region after a long interval of about 25 years.
On the instructions of the government, a high-level committee led by the board's secretary, Dr Neeraj Shukla, has conducted a site inspection of potential land for developing colonies in Gorakhpur, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar and Kushinagar. This initiative will not only address the housing problem but will also give new impetus to the planned development of these areas.
The Housing and Development Board has not developed any new colony in Gorakhpur city for the past two and a half decades. The last major colony developed by the board was built near Vikasnagar. Before this, the board had established planned colonies in areas such as Surajkund, Betiahata, Shahpur and Mahadev Jharkhandi, which are now the city's prime residential areas.
These colonies contain around 4,200 homes. The Housing Development Board thus met the needs of a large population. The long absence of new schemes led to a housing crisis in the city and an increased dependence on private builders, which the government is now set to address.
However, several colonies have also been developed by the Gorakhpur Development Authority. However, the Housing Development Board has not launched any new major scheme in Gorakhpur for approximately 25 years. With the new scheme, it will now be easier for people from middle and low-income groups to fulfil their dream of owning a home.
The team, constituted by the government, has selected major routes in all four districts, keeping in view the potential for development. In Gorakhpur, land has been surveyed on Jungle Kaudia Road to develop a colony. This area is considered highly suitable for the future due to its connection to a four-lane road.
In Kushinagar, considering the importance of tourism and the international airport, land was inspected on Airport Road. In Basti, the possibility of a housing scheme has been explored near Engineering College Road. Meanwhile, in Sant Kabir Nagar, land has been surveyed on Mehdawal Road to establish a colony.
The team, which arrived to finalise the land for the colonies, included Secretary Dr Neeraj Shukla, along with SDM Sadar Deepak Gupta, Chief Engineer DP Singh, Chief Architect Planner Sanjeev Kashyap, Superintending Engineer Ramlakhan, and Superintending Engineer of the Jal Nigam (Water Corporation) Ratansen Singh.
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The team has meticulously assessed the land's connectivity, drainage, and potential for future expansion. As per the government's instructions, a detailed action plan is being prepared for these four districts. The team's inspection report will soon be submitted to the government.
“As soon as approval is received, the process of land acquisition and development will commence. This initiative will not only provide affordable and safe housing to the general public but will also lead to a major improvement in the infrastructure of these areas,” said Dr Anil Kumar, Deputy Housing Commissioner.