NPHP delays to cost national kitty dearly

Fresh estimates of construction costs are being made

LAHORE: Following a revision in construction rates under the government’s market rates system (MRS) and applicants’ request for the grace period to make 10% upfront payment has delayed construction of housing units under the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme (NPHP), The Express Tribune learnt on Saturday.

Owing to soaring inflation, Punjab Minister for Housing Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed highlighted, the government has to revise construction rates as per the standard procedure. However, now officials concerned are making fresh estimates as per the revised MRS. He pointed out that construction of low-cost housing units under the NPHP is already underway in Renala Khurd and the government is working tirelessly to make the dream of own roof a reality for low-income strata of the society.

He further disclosed that on request of the applicants, the government has allowed a grace period of 15 days to the NPHP applications for making 10% upfront payment for the construction of their houses.

“Because several applicants have complained that they are facing difficulty in making upfront payment and requested additional time for arrangement of funds,” he revealed.

The construction work would begin soon after fulfilling legal requirements. The government is trying to encourage the private sector for investment in low-cost houses, he added. Earlier, in a meeting to review the progress of the NPHP, Punjab Housing Secretary Nadeem Mehboob told meeting participants that PC-1 for phase-1 and phase-2 has been approved while balloting in six districts, including Okara, Lodhran, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah, and Khushab has been conducted.

He highlighted that a total of 4,420 plots – 859 in Okara, 893 in Lodhran, 1,144 in Bahawalnagar, 189 in Bhakkar, 124 in Layyah and 1,211 in Khushab – have been allocated for construction of low-cost houses.

He said under the NPHP phase-2, 192 apartments in Faisalabad, 384 in Multan, 89 and 73 in Layyah in two phases, 147 in Jauharabad and 250 houses in Liaquatabad would be constructed. Similarly, 545 plots in Pattoki and 589 in Huzro would be given to low-income people, he added.

Addressing meeting participants, Punjab Chief Secretary directed officials concerned to speed up the pace of work on the NPHP. He underscored that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard. The chief secretary also instructed government departments concerned to provide all possible facilities to investors to encourage them to invest in the project.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the ongoing land acquisition, financial matters and provision of basic facilities in low-cost housing schemes in different cities. The meeting was attended by additional secretaries of Punjab Housing Department, Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) Director General and other senior officials.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had unveiled the NPHP project in October 2018. In the first phase, the government had decided to start the low-cost housing project in seven districts, including Sukkur, Quetta, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Swat, Islamabad and Faisalabad, to construct a total five million houses for the low-income strata of the society during next five years. However, considering the huge public response the government has included several new districts in the project.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2020.