Vadodara: Residents of several Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) housing schemes in Vadodara continue to grapple with deteriorating living conditions, years after being promised safe and improved housing.Built by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) under the Basic Services for the Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme, over 21,000 houses were constructed for economically weaker sections between 2005-06 and 2013-14. The first allotments began in 2010, but for many beneficiaries, the promise of better housing began to unravel within just two years of occupancy.Early signs of trouble included water seepage from terraces and damage to overhead tanks. Residents flagged these issues, prompting the civic body to undertake remedial measures such as waterproofing and modifying terrace drainage. In several buildings, however, flawed construction saw rainwater outlet pipes positioned above floor level, leading to water accumulation.Over time, the problems have only worsened. Activists and residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of these housing blocks in areas such as Kishanwadi, Jambuva and Jivannagar. In 2019, VMC conducted structural audits, maintaining that the buildings were safe.Despite these assurances, incidents have raised serious concerns. In 2022 and again in 2024, falling ceiling plaster in two separate cases left one woman injured and claimed another’s life.VMC officials maintain that the core structures remain sound, attributing the issues largely to seepage and poor maintenance. “The structure of JNNURM houses does not have any major problems. The issues are related to plaster falling off and seepage in some places,” an official said.The civic body has also pointed to residents’ role in the deterioration, stating that regular upkeep of housing units is often neglected. Seepage from bathrooms and toilets, if left unaddressed, accelerates decay and contributes to plaster falling from ceilings, officials said. Notices are periodically issued to residents over poor maintenance.However, VMC clarified that not all BSUP housing projects are in disrepair, noting that several schemes across the city remain in relatively better condition, with complaints concentrated in a few pockets.
