The State government has set for itself the target of providing houses to 80 per cent of police personnel in the next 10 years, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Thursday.
At present, houses have been allotted to only 40 per cent of police personnel in the State. The government aims to raise the number to 80 per cent, Siddaramaiah told the 3rd All India Police Housing Conference.
As many as 3.5 lakh residential quarters had to be built to meet the target; he had instructed the department concerned to prepare a time-bound plan to meet the target, he added and assured that the government understood the priority the issue deserved. Adequate funds would be earmarked for the project.
The chief minister said that he was particulary worried about the constabulary which was “burdened” with work. Any displacement of their families would badly affect their performance and subsequently the law and order situation in the State.
Home Minister K J George lauded the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation (KSPHC) for showing the way by adopting green technology and effective management principles.
He said that the two-day conference would provide new insights into sustainable building technology to be adopted in the country.
The main problem being faced by the construction business was the shortage of building materials, especially sand, he explained, adding that unavailability of land was hindering plans to provide houses to policemen in cities like Bangalore. The government plans to acquire land near facilities like metro and monorail stations, and bus terminals to build police colonies so that reflex time of policing could be reduced, George said.
Besides, the government was planning to build necessary infrastructure in Naxal-hit areas, through the State housing corporation. Earlier in the day, George inaugurated the Fast Track Construction Technology Park developed by the KSPHC at CAR grounds, Adugodi.
The park has 10 residential quarters with two complexes built at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The project showcases the prefabricated technology of Australia used by the KSPHC. One complex was built in 15 days flat, another in 30 days!