Jagananna Housing Layout in Pedda Dornala Turns into a Wasteland Despite ₹2 Crore Spending

The Jagananna housing scheme, launched by the previous YSRCP government with the aim of providing homes to the poor, has allegedly failed to deliver the promised shelter to beneficiaries in Pedda Dornala. A housing layout developed around eight kilometres away from the village has remained largely unused despite nearly ₹2 crore being spent on basic infrastructure. As many as 410 beneficiaries from Pedda Dornala, Ainamukkula, Thimmapuram, Asanabad, Jammidornala and Chinnadornala were allotted house plots across 10 acres in a hilly area. More than ₹1 crore was spent under the MGNREGA scheme on land levelling and road construction, while another ₹1 crore was reportedly spent on electricity, water facilities and other infrastructure. Five borewells and small water tanks were also set up.

However, the remote location and lack of suitable living conditions discouraged beneficiaries from constructing houses. Only one house reached the slab stage and another five were left incomplete at the same stage. The layout has now become overgrown with bushes and resembles a small forest. The borewell motors have reportedly been stolen, and the electricity transformers are also missing. Beneficiaries have appealed to public representatives and officials for plots in more suitable locations. Revenue officials, however, have said that fresh plots cannot be allotted because the existing ones have already been registered online in the beneficiaries’ names. Housing Department Deputy Executive Engineer Suresh said the state government had formed a committee to examine similar cases across the state and would take a decision based on its report.