Singapore architects to design housing projects in Lucknow

Lucknow, October 15, 2013: The state government is planning to construct Singapore model of housing projects in different cities of Uttar Pradesh. Singapore architects are being roped in to prepare layout designs of these projects. Reportedly, the principal secretary of housing has also granted his permission to involve foreign firms in planning and development of city.

Though the final call on this matter would be taken by the CM, Akhilesh Yadav. The government has given the responsibility of creating most modern housing projects in the state to UP Housing and Development Board so that the government projects can compete with hi-tech township projects of private builders on all modern standards.

According to the government’s wish, the board had already initiated these housing projects in Lucknow and Ghaziabad (NCR) about 8 months ago. Based on the earlier designs of architects, the housing board had even started constructing sewer lines and roads in Lucknow and Ghaziabad. The board had spent crores on these projects but when the CM reviewed these projects, he was unhappy with the presentation and the structures proposed in projects.

The CM emphasised that on one hand, the government agencies are aiming to compete with most modern technology and standards being used by private builders in hi-tech and integrated townships in city, one the other hand the agencies are resorting to the same old design and technology. They can never compete with global standards in this manner.

After the CM expressed his disappointing over designs, housing board officials stopped the ongoing construction work in Lucknow and Ghaziabad. They have written a letter to the higher authorities to begin construction in a new way. Housing Board has reportedly written to the principal secretary of housing seeking permission to begin construction afresh and have forwarded a new proposal to him. It has been decided that an international level architect should be selected through the tender process to execute these projects.

Two firms belonging to Dubai and Singapore are being presently considered by the Housing Board to design the projects. One among them is Habib contractor who is based out of Mumbai but has prepared layouts of many structures in both the foreign countries.

Currently, Housing Board is working on Awadh Vihar Yojna on about 1100 acre on Sultanpur Road, Mandola Yojna on Delhi Road on