THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Another important project was cut short by the Centre due to the mismanagement of the Corporation's governing body and the work not being started on time. The Rajiv Awas Yojana, a housing scheme, has been cut short by the central government due to non-start of work. The project of 1032 houses to be built for the needy in Vizhinjam, Mathipuram was cut by the centre due to the negligence of the municipal corporation. The project was started in 2011.

71.86 crore rupees were allocated by the Centre for the project then. The plan was to build 1032 houses in apartment style. The construction was divided into four phases. However, even after 12 years, only 542 houses have been completed. The Centre cut two phases of the four-phase project when construction did not start.

Corporation did not move: poor lost their homes

The poor are the ones who took the hit when the Centre cut down the project due to the negligence of the Municipal Corporation. Those who had submitted all the documents and were waiting for a house, got their dreams shattered. 29.8 crore was sanctioned to construct 364 houses in the third phase and 164 houses in the fourth phase which was cut short. The Centre decided to cut short the project when the construction did not reach anywhere even after taking years. With this, 568 people's dream of a home has also fallen. The explanation of the Corporation is that they will try to construct houses by including them in other projects.

Reasons given by Corporation

People are living in the place where houses are to be built in the third phase. They have not expressed their willingness to move. That is why the construction is not going on, the Corporation explained. However, there was no discussion or alternative system for this from any side, said those in the area.

The land for constructing the fourth phase houses belongs to the Harbor Engineering Department. The Municipal Corporation's explanation is that they have not handed over the land yet. However, it is alleged that the transfer is delayed due to the Municipal Corporation's non-cooperation in submitting the requested documents.