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Concrete
jungles may soon become history with steel gardens taking their place.
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Minaean
Ventures Inc (MVI), a Canada-based company which markets rapid
construction technologies, is all set to introduce a new form of housing
system in the country. Andhra Pradesh today became the first State in the
country to experiment with the new system, said to be resistant to natural
calamities, including cyclones, earthquakes and floods.
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Vesta
Quik Build system, which consists of cold formed galvanized steel, load
bearing and self supporting wall panels, is time saving as well as cost
effective. The inorganic steel components which do not rot, split or crack
and are termite proof as well as eco friendly are used on a large scale in
the West and are gaining popularity across the world with countries like
Philippines, Vietnam and Mexico coming forward to experiment with it.
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The
first set of 50 steel homes have been constructed at Karmanghat for the A
P State Housing Corporation Ltd. (APSHCL) by MVI as it had signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with APSHCL in 2001 for the construction of
250 homes in Hyderabad.
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The
next phase would have 32 homes in Bagh Lingampally and 128 in Kukatpally.
These would be apartments (ground plus three floors), the largest size of
building possible with the Vesta system.
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While
steel constitutes the outer frame of the house, concrete fibreboards among
other ingredients make up the rest of the steel home. Flooring can be as
per the individuals wish while tight insulation would enable electric
wires to be installed safely through the walls. Coming in easily
transportable kits, the Vesta home kit can be assembled in 14 days with
the cost of private homes in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 450 per sq.ft.
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The
50 homes at Karmanghat, built at Rs 375 per sq.ft are intended for
economically weaker sections. Each steel structure is 150 sq.ft in area
and built in rows of eight houses clustered around a common court yard
space. Each individual unit consists of living room, kitchen and a toilet.
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