Homebuyers in Bhubaneswar, primarily retired government employees, are facing an agonizing wait of over two years for the physical possession of plots they booked in a state housing board scheme. The handover process for the Vasudev Vihar plotting scheme, launched by the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB), has been moving at a snail's pace due to incomplete development work at the site.
A Promise Delayed: The Vasudev Vihar Scheme Timeline
The OSHB, a government agency under the housing and urban development department, had advertised the sale of 166 plots of various sizes located in Jagannathpur mouza back in April 2022. The booking process for these plots was completed the following month, in May 2022. The allotment was conducted through a transparent lottery system, with the clear understanding that the plots would be handed over to buyers only after full development.
Officially, the entire handover process was scheduled to be finalized by December 2023. However, that deadline has come and gone, and the board is yet to complete essential infrastructure work at the Vasudev Vihar site, leaving allotment holders in a state of frustration and financial strain.
Buyers' Frustration and Official Response
Expressing deep disappointment, the buyers have labeled the situation as sheer negligence on the part of the housing board. "We should have received the developed plots two years back, but nothing has happened so far," said Guru Charan Panda, one of the affected buyers. He added that repeated appeals to the board authorities have yielded no concrete results.
Many of these individuals have invested their life's savings or even taken loans to purchase these plots. "Some of us have even taken loans to buy the plots. We are paying interest without any reason," Panda highlighted, pointing to the unnecessary financial burden caused by the delay.
When contacted, senior OSHB officials acknowledged the delay but attributed it to the agency hired for the site's development. The official stated that while all registration and formalities with buyers are complete, work on roads and some earthen tasks is still ongoing. "There are some delays on the part of the agency we had hired to take up development of the site, which includes drainage, road and other works. We have issued an ultimatum to the agency for the delay," the official told The Times of India.
The Road Ahead and Buyers' Demands
The buyers, however, remain skeptical of the board's explanations, alleging that these are mere excuses to prolong the handover. Their primary and immediate demand is the swift physical possession of their plots. Once the handover is finally completed, the allottees plan to form a formal association to manage the future maintenance and upkeep of the Vasudev Vihar area.
This incident raises significant questions about project management and accountability in state-run housing initiatives, especially when they involve citizens who have planned their retirement and future based on promised timelines. The wait continues for the 166 plot buyers as they hope for a swift resolution from the Odisha State Housing Board.
