T’puram: First phase of the Rajaji Nagar rehabilitation housing project has reached the final stage, with the newly constructed apartment block ready for occupation except for a pending KWA water supply connection. With the KSEB power connection already commissioned, the city corporation initiated the allotment process and is planning to shift the first batch of beneficiary families to the new flats by the second week of Aug, officials said.The project, implemented by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) under the Smart Cities Mission, marks a major milestone in the redevelopment of Rajaji Nagar, one of the oldest and most densely populated settlements in the state capital.The first phase consists of a four-storey residential block constructed at a cost of around Rs 9 crore, comprising 32 two-bedroom apartments of about 600sq ft each. The structure has also been designed to support two additional floors in the future, increasing its capacity to accommodate up to 48 families.“Apart from the KWA connection, all major works have been completed. We have already started the allotment process and expect the first families to move into the new apartments during the second week of Aug. This will be the first visible outcome of the redevelopment project,” a senior corporation official told TOI.Officials said many of the beneficiaries have been living in rented or temporary accommodation after vacating their old houses to facilitate construction. Once the building is formally handed over, the corporation will begin relocating these families before proceeding with subsequent phases of the redevelopment.Spread across 12.6 acres in Thampanoor ward, Rajaji Nagar is home to around 2,000 residents living in nearly 1,100 ageing dwelling units, many of which are structurally weak and lack basic civic amenities. The integrated redevelopment plan proposes 248 modern housing units along with improved internal roads, stormwater drainage, parking facilities, community spaces, and recreational areas to transform the colony into a planned residential neighbourhood. The original survey also identified nearly 967 dwelling units, besides commercial establishments within the colony.The project, however, faced repeated setbacks over the past few years due to tender-related issues, disputes over the beneficiary list and resistance from a section of residents to temporary relocation. Authorities later adopted a phased rehabilitation model instead of relocating many families at once, enabling construction to progress while minimising disruption to residents. With the first apartment block now virtually complete, civic authorities hope the successful occupation of the new flats will help build confidence among residents and accelerate the remaining phases of the long-pending urban renewal initiative.
