Prefab homes for Athletes

KOZHIKODE: The National Games Secretariat (NGS) is eying to develop the Games Village for the 35th National Games to be held in Kerala using prefabricated housing technology.The NGS has invited expressions of interest from leading prefab manufacturers for implementing the project for pre-qualification. The last date for submitting applications is December 26.According to top officials in NGS, the idea is to develop a Games Village in an area of four lakh square feet in Thiruvananthapuram for accommodation of around 5,000 athletes for 10 days, using appropriate prefab technology. “After the Games, the structures can be relocated, if required, for other purposes. Another major advantage is that the construction could be completed within eight months. Besides, the total cost can be limited to less than `60 crore while the estimate of permanent buildings was around `350 crore,” a senior official told Express.At present, the NGS has identified a 40-acre land on the upcoming Technocity campus in Pallippuram for erecting the temporary structure. “What we are planning is setting up of single floor villa kind of structures. Different prefab technologies, boasting longevity ranging from 15 years to lifetime durability for structures are available and we are looking for one suitable for our purpose,” the official said.As part of the pre-qualification process, the companies which meet the eligibility criteria should construct a small mock unit, having an area of 800 - 1000 sq ft at a site identified by the NGS using the prefab housing technology mentioned in their respective application. “This will enable us to have a touch-and-feel experience of the project. The quality as well as safety of the structure can be evaluated and modifications can be suggested in the design,” the official pointed out.The 35th edition of the national sporting event is expected to be held in the first half of 2013. If things go as per plan, the construction of the Games Village using prefab technology will be a first ever initiative in the history of National Games. “Prefabricated structures were used to construct temporary overlays and dining halls in various games. But, this will be the first time that the technology is being preferred to construct Games Village,” the official said.Earlier in 2010, the NGS had sought request for pre-qualification from developers of residential projects for constructing Games Village at Akkulam. The plan was to construct a permanent accommodation facility on a five- acre plot in PPP model and the estimate was around `350 crore. However, no companies had shown interest citing that the project was not financially and commercially viable.