Feasibility studies to kick off for NPHP

LAHORE: The Punjab government has initiated the process to conduct feasibility studies in different districts to launch the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme (NPHP) across the province.

The Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) will hire consultants to conduct feasibility studies in Chishtian, Lodhran and Renala. The consultants will also provide a detailed engineering design to prepare the planning proposals for the construction of housing units under the NPHP.

Official documents made available to The Express Tribune indicated that in the first phase, the government would conduct feasibility studies for the construction of low-income (pro-poor) housing units of three marla in Chishtian, along Qaziwala Road at Chak 41 Fateh Tehsil Chishtian, District Bahawalnagar, Lodhran in Chak 99/M, Bahawalpur Road, in the vicinity of the Judicial Colony District Complex Lodhran; and Development Scheme No 2, Renala Khurd along the eastern side of Renala Khurd City, Shergarh Road.

The documents highlighted that the PHATA has already acquired 50 acres of state land in Chishtian and the development of infrastructure has been completed. Similarly, 50 acres and 13 kanals of state land have been transferred to PHATA, Sub-Region Multan, for Lodhran and 52 acres of private land has been acquired by the PHATA, Sub-Region Okara, for the Renala Khurd NPHP project. Documents also indicated that development work in both districts has also been completed.

Estimates showed the entire exercise of feasibility studies and engineering design will cost a total of Rs9 million.

Documents indicated that the agency has assigned 11 tasks, including collection and review of available plans, geotechnical investigation, environmental, social and economic impact study, financial and economic analysis, detailed engineering design, detailed architectural design, preparation of tender and construction drawings, preparation of PC-I document, preparation of pre-qualification documents, preparation of bidding documents and prequalification and bid evaluation reports. The consultants have to complete all these tasks in two months.

The paperwork showed that consultants would also provide clear recommendations to the PHATA for project improvements. It will provide cost-benefit and risk analysis and sustainable solutions for low-cost housing units, as per their sizes by providing a minimum of three options for each size.

The consultant would conduct environmental impact analysis (EIA) to establish the impacts, both positive and negative, on the environment and provide mitigation measures.

The consultants would also be required to provide detailed engineering designs, in accordance with the international standard practices. These would include cost estimation and documentation (BOQ’s, bidding documents and PC-I etc.) for infrastructure services and construction of row houses. The consultants will also assist the client in preparation, submission, finalisation and approval of the project by the competent forum.

The documents highlighted that the country was experiencing rapid population growth and the need for low-cost housing was greater than ever. As per the 2017 census, the urban population of Pakistan had grown at the rate of 2.7% per year.

There is a shortfall of an estimated 10 million houses and a huge backlog is being added to it every year. Keeping in view the critical need of new housing units, the government is committed to its promise of creating an environment for the housing industry to thrive. The objective is to provide five million housing units to bridge the gap between middle and lower-middle income households.

The Punjab government is all set to invite applications for the Naya Pakistan Housing scheme from Okara, Lodhran and Bahawalnagar districts by next month. Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed told The Express Tribune that development works have been completed in these districts. Now the government is going to call applications by advertising in the press and the allotment process would start in February.

Earlier, the government has announced to roll out the NPHS in Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Jhelum, Bahawalpur, Layyah, Multan, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan and Gujranwala by January. However, considering the tremendous public interest and a large number of applications, the government has decided to hold the simultaneous launch of the project in all district.