In Nadiad, the Pragatinagar housing society has been in a state of disrepair for six years. Some buildings collapsed in August 2019, prompting the government to evacuate residents. Since then, the affected families have been waiting for new homes, but they are still empty-handed. The Nadiad city Congress president, Hardik Bhatt, has raised this issue with the state Congress. He hopes this will lead to swift action to provide housing for the affected families.
The state government had originally built three-storey homes for around 900 low-income families in the 1970s under the LIG scheme. However, many of these buildings, now 40 to 50 years old, suffered severe damage during the monsoon season six years ago. On August 9, 2019, a tragic incident occurred when a building collapsed, killing four people, including a young girl. This disaster created a significant outcry among the residents.
To calm the anger of the affected families, the government quickly assessed the buildings. They deemed the three-storey houses in Pragatinagar extremely unsafe. The authorities forced all families living in these dilapidated homes to vacate them overnight for their safety. At that time, the government promised to provide new homes for these families as part of a rehabilitation plan. Trusting the government’s assurance, the families left their homes.
Now, six years later, the residents feel abandoned. They see no real progress on the construction of new homes. In recent months, many families have expressed their frustration to the Nadiad city Congress. They believe the government has betrayed their trust, especially during these times of rising living costs. After many complaints, Congress has made representations to the Commissioner of the Gujarat Housing Board and the Chief Minister.
As a result of these efforts, there is hope that work will soon begin. The redevelopment policy from 2016 is now being considered for Pragatinagar. The state government has approved a proposal for the redevelopment of these homes, which includes 900 low-income housing units. This has been a long time coming, and if everything goes well, construction could start soon.
Residents are eager to see action after years of waiting. They have endured many hardships since the collapse. Many were forced to find temporary housing, while others struggled to make ends meet. The government had promised them a better future, but for many, that promise feels broken.
Hardik Bhatt stressed the importance of the government keeping its word. He pointed out that the affected families have been patient, but their patience is running thin. He believes that with the recent discussions, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. The Congress party is committed to ensuring that the state government delivers on its promises.
The situation in Pragatinagar highlights a broader issue in Gujarat. Many low-income families live in unsafe conditions, and the government must do more to address these problems. The residents of Pragatinagar deserve safe, secure homes where they can build their lives without fear of further disasters.
As the Congress party continues to push for action, the residents remain hopeful. They want to see the government take responsibility and provide the new homes they were promised. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these families will finally get the support they need to return to stable housing.
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