Port Blair, Oct 11: World Habitat Day was celebrated by Andaman & Nicobar State Centre (ANSC) of The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) in association with PBMC & APWD on Tuesday, 10 October, 2017 at 3.30 pm at ALHW Conference Hall by organizing a Technical Lecture on the theme given by the United Nations -“Housing Policies: Affordable Homes”.
Engineers from PBMC i.e. Dilip Kr. Mistry, JE (CSS) & P. Uma Maheshwar Rao, JE ( SWM) & Architect from APWD, Krishna Narayan Rao, Planning Assistant, T & CP Unit, made exhaustive presentations on the Theme. While Er. Dilip Kr. Mistry delineated the details of the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (PMAY), Er. P. Uma Maheshwar Rao dwelt on the implementation, progress and challenges faced in grounding the Scheme. Ar. Krishna Narayan Rao in his presentation traversed the housing scenario right from the global to the Indian and right down to the scenario in the A & N Islands.
Earlier, Immediate Former Chairman, ANSC, IEI, Er. T. N. Krishnamoorthi, FIE, Deputy Chief Engineer (Civil), ALHW welcomed the Engineering Fraternity and others present and exhorted the gathering to have a fruitful discussion on the theme of the Day.
During the Interactive session, former Chairman, ANSC, IEI, Er. Manohar Singh, FIE, Retired SE, Electricity Department enquired about the response to the PMAY Scheme, whether it would be multi-storied construction and whether the PMAY Scheme allowed transfer of ownership later on. Er. Avinash Kr. Singh, EE (SWM), PBMC informed that the response was overwhelming and the screening process was also quite stringent to screen out undeserving candidates. The structures would be as permissible by the authorities, while transfer of ownership was not allowed under the Scheme at any point of time. Er. M. Balamurugan, MIE, Former Hon. Secretary of ANSC, IEI & T & C P, APWD highlighted that it should be ensured to provide all amenities and facilities in upcoming housing colonies and all norms should be adhered to while constructing the buildings so that the residents can have a quality life. Er. D. K. Pandey, EE, ALHW was of the opinion that in view of scarcity of land in the islands, the authorities may examine the possibility of vertical expansion over and above the allowed limit so as to have optimum utilization of the land while keeping in mind precautions to be taken in constructions on Seismic Zone 5 under which the A & N Islands fall.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Er. Johnson Abraham, MIE, Honorary Secretary.
