HUDCO to rebuild quake-hit areas — Rs 1,000-cr plan

HUDCO will open offices in Anjar and Bhuj for rehabilitation and reconstruction work. The programme will be for all income groups and urban, semi-urban, rural and semi-rural areas. Infrastructure, like roads, water works, toilets and other civic amenities, which have been damaged, will be rebuilt by the state government with financial assistance from HUDCO.

The HUDCO will also make provision for building community halls and other facilities. These shall be backed by a technology package which will specify a few do’s and don’ts for buildings as well as the materials to be used.

It would also adopt a few model villages and bastis for comprehensive development. Jagmohan suggested that where entire villages have been destroyed, not only will the houses be rebuilt but also community facilities improved — like roads will be widened. He said this with reference to the death of 400 school children in Bhuj who were killed when buildings on either side of a narrow lane they were marching through collapsed on them.