The Government of India officially marked the completion of the third phase of its Indian Housing Project (IHP) for the plantation community in Sri Lanka yesterday (April 19).
Project Overview and Milestones:
- Overall Goal: India is providing grants to construct a total of 60,000 houses in the plantation sectors.
- Progress to Date: Following the completion of 46,000 houses in the first two phases, the third phase focused on the Uva, Central, and Southern Provinces.
- Phase III Reach: This phase saw the construction of 4,000 houses, directly benefiting 3,855 families.
Navigating Economic Challenges: To counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, the Indian government increased the grant per house to LKR 2.8 million. This financial adjustment was crucial in ensuring the successful completion of the construction despite rising costs.
Official Handover: The final 145 houses of Phase III, located in the Matale and Galle districts, were symbolically handed over to beneficiaries yesterday. The ceremony was conducted virtually by the visiting Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan.
Commencement of Phase IV: In line with the commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fourth phase—aimed at constructing an additional 10,000 houses—has already commenced. This ongoing initiative continues to be a symbol of the deep-rooted development partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
