Naidu asks CPWD to be 'transparent and efficient'

Seeking speedy execution of the projects by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu today asked the construction major to be more "efficient, transparent and accountable" in its functioning.
"CPWD is currently handling over 7,000 projects at a cost of over Rs 40,000 crore. It should be more efficient, transparent and accountable in its functioning," Naidu said here after inaugurating a residential block of 400 quarters in Karol Bagh for central government employees.
CPWD built the Type-III quarters at a cost of Rs 83 crore.
He also emphasised on quality, timely completion of projects and proper utilisation of CPWD's large manpower.

Naidu lamented that intervention at his level was required to get water and electricity supply to the large number of quarters meant for government employees.
The construction of these quarters was completed last year but they were being inaugurated today, after a substantial delay.

Naidu said, "the availability of housing stock in General Pool Residential Accommodation, under which houses are provided to central government employees, senior officials, Judiciary, Members of Parliament amd Ministers in the national capital is 59,293 as against the requirement of over one lakh dwelling units.
The Minister informed that Urban Development Ministry will enable construction of over 37,000 houses in the next four years at a cost of about Rs 15,000 crore to meet the shortfall.

He further said, to address the shortfall in accommodation for members of Lok Sabha, 52 flats were being constructed at Dr Bishamber Das Marg, and on their completion soon the housing needs of Lok Sabha members would be fully met.
Naidu informed that under "Housing for All by 2022" initiative of the government, about 30 million houses would be built in the urban areas of the country at a cost of about Rs 22.50 lakh crores, mostly through large scale private sector participation.
He said, this was a challenging task, but not difficult.
Naidu inspected another block of 384 houses under construction and instructed CPWD to make mandatory provision of solar heating panels, LED lighting, rain water harvesting, green belt and Green Building Code for all new construction projects.

As per the Minister's directive, CPWD has placed all information about 7,000 projects in public domain by posting them on its website so that public can scrutinize and monitor execution of projects. CPWD's website enables public to post comments, complaints and photos for taking appropriate action.
Minister informed that within five weeks of launching of Prime Minister's Jan Dhan Yojana, over 6 crore new bank accounts were opened and this goes to prove that "if there is will, things will fall in place.