National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) is launching a massive scheme for affordable housing in major cities, including the NCR, on Wednesday. At a time when private builders and developers are reeling under the impact of the global economic downturn, NBCC’s scheme is likely to be quite popular as it offers three/four bedroom flats in a price band of Rs 25-45 lakh.

Under the scheme, the PSU will offer around 1,300 houses in the first phase in NCR — Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad. According to Arup Roy Chaudhury, CMD, NBCC, the flats will have all modern facilities. The specifications will be at par with those offered by private builders.

Sources pointed out that NBCC is also contemplating creation of separate enclaves for plotted development, including town houses and villas, in an affordable price range in NCR, most likely in Ghaziabad. An official said the scheme will initially be open to government, state and central public sector employees and later extended to the public.

‘‘We are keeping our promise to deliver affordable housing in the Capital and NCR region and also in other cities like Kolkata, Kochi and Patna,’’ the NBCC chief told TOI.

Sources in NBCC said land is now being acquired for the purpose in Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida. Also, the agency is keen to buy five other plots at a reserved price offered under the group housing scheme for which the Noida Authority failed to find private players.

As the realty sector is badly hit by the economic downturn, providing affordable housing in Delhi and the NCR has become the top priority for private and public sector real estate developers.

The PSU, which has registered a high profit, is also likely to launch similar scheme in other cities like Kochi, Patna and Kolkata.

‘‘Housing at affordable prices has been made possible by NBCC due to its adoption of forward costing method and a transparent mechanism by clearly identifying the super area loading so that any individual buyer is not confused by these issues while booking a house or flat,’’ Chaudhary said.

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