Massive Boost for Govt Employees: Cabinet Approves 17-Acre General Residential Housing Campus in Amaravati

Massive Boost for Govt Employees: Cabinet Approves 17-Acre General Residential Housing Campus in Amaravati​

The Central Government has given the green signal for a major infrastructural project intended to support its staff. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, formally approved the construction of the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) at New Capital City, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh. This initiative marks the inaugural GPRA project in both the capital city and across the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing Staff Welfare and Administrative Efficiency​

The primary objective of this ambitious proposal is to significantly reduce the financial strain on Central Government employees. By providing dedicated residential accommodation, the project aims to boost employee morale, promote integrity, and contribute positively to overall well-being. Furthermore, by enabling staff to live near their workstations, the GPRA campus will ensure uninterrupted government functioning and guarantee that officials are readily available for official duties.

Project Scale and Sustainable Design Standards​

The General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) Campus is planned across a substantial 17 acres of land in Amaravati. The development scope includes 11 residential towers, housing a total of 1,504 dwelling units, ranging from Type II to Type VI, which also incorporates refuge areas. The project’s infrastructure features basement parking, accommodating 1,972 Equivalent Car Spaces (ECS).

The total built-up area for the development amounts to 31.30 lakh sqft (2,90,762 sqm), including a basement area measuring 9.10 lakh sqft (84,394 sqm). A crucial element of the plan emphasizes sustainability and eco-friendly construction practices globally.

Commitment to Green Building Standards​

In alignment with international trends, the GPRA Campus has been designed to adhere strictly to India's best green building standards. The design focuses heavily on minimizing environmental impact through sustainable site planning and enhanced energy efficiency measures. Key features include water conservation strategies, the use of locally sourced materials, and improvements to occupant health and comfort within the buildings.

The entire campus is mandated to be designed, constructed, and registered to achieve a minimum GRIHA 4-Star Rating. This compliance must meet both the latest provisions of the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) 2024 and the requirements stipulated by Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) 2024.

Amenities and Socioeconomic Impact​

The campus is designed to be a comprehensive community hub, equipped with essential civic and residential amenities for residents. These facilities include a bank and ATM, a post office, a dedicated crèche, a community hall complete with dining facilities, a food court, a shopping complex, a service centre, and a guest house.

Accessibility remains a core focus of the design; the campus will feature a barrier-free built environment to ensure convenience and accessibility for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities), meeting all applicable standards. The project is also anticipated to spur substantial economic activity. It is estimated that the construction phase alone will generate approximately 7.00 lakh man-days of employment annually, followed by sustained operational employment providing around 50,000 man-days per annum.

Project Cost and Implementation Details​

The total estimated cost for the General Pool Residential Accommodation project has been set at ₹1,234.91 crores. The funding will be provided through budgetary support from the Government of India under Head of Account: 4216 - Capital Outlay on Housing (Residential Buildings) - Voted.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, via the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), is entrusted with executing this vital project. Pre-bid activities are currently underway, and the preparation of all necessary tender documents is proceeding diligently through the requisite stages.