The Atal Apartments scheme got a mixed response from the public as the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) conducted a draw of lots for flats to be constructed under the scheme, at Nehru Sidhant Kendra on Thursday.
The draw was conducted for 336 high income group (HIG) and 240 middle income group (MIG) flats. The LIT received 821 applications for HIG flats and 151 applications for 240 MIG flats.
A list of residents whose names were declared in the draw will now be sent to the local bodies department for approval following which tenders for the construction work will be floated. The officials claimed that the entire process can take at least couple of months.
Deputy commissioner-cum-LIT chairman Surabhi Malik started the draw and then officials continued the draw. The officials called the applicants present there to pick the chits for the selection process. Former LIT chairman Raman Balasubramanium too attended the programme to wish applicants best of luck, and also took out chits from the box.
While there were more applicants for HIG flats, there were no takers for 89 flats under the MIG category. The officials claimed that they have sealed remaining flats and will decide on the same later.
The price of an MIG flat has been fixed at Rs 37 lakh while HIG would cost around Rs 48 lakh to residents. The selected applicants will have to clear the payment in five instalments, and 3-year period will be given to the contractor for construction of flats. Possession will be given thereafter.
Surabhi Malik said, “The draw was completed in a proper manner. The event was live streamed so that people did not need to visit the spot in view of hot weather conditions and surge in covid cases.”
Regarding future projects, she said they would bring more such projects for the public and attention would be paid towards the maintenance of colonies under the LIT.
Land acquisition officer of LIT Neeru Katyal said flats will be constructed on 8.8 acres of land at Pakhowal Road and the complex will have a swimming pool, gymnasium, small commercial centre and parking facility.
Notably, the Atal Apartments scheme has been hanging fire since 2008.
The foundation stone for this project had been laid twice. It was first laid by then local bodies minister Tikshan Sood in 2011 and then by then CM Charanjit Singh Channi on December 16, 2021.
The project had remained in news because even after conducting draw of lots, the department had to cancel this project as applicants had failed to make payments. It is a self-financed scheme where public will bear cost of flats and LIT will construct flats with that money.