Snehodiya's construction in full swing, to be completed by 2018

The construction of a 10-storeyed building by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) for senior citizens is going on in full swing as the deadline for its inauguration has been fixed in 2018.

The complex known as Snehodiya is coming up near Swapno Bhor, the senior citizen's park. The unique feature of Snehodiya is that on the demise of a members, 75 percent of the money deposited at the time of initial booking will be returned to the legal heirs. This is for the first time when the state government has taken such an initiative.

There will be a main building having G+10 floors and a two-storeyed guest house. From the first floor to the eighth one in the main building, there will be single and double bedrooms with one drawing room, pantry space and a balcony in each. This apart, every flat will have an attached toilet. Also, in each floor, there will be an attendant's room, a common pantry space and a sitting space. The ninth and 10th floors are the premium floors. There will be 94 single bedrooms and 55 double bedrooms.

The design has been made in such a way that senior citizens get enough space to move around.

They can either have their food cooked or get it from the common pantry. As the complex is situated close to Swapno Bhor , they will get an opportunity to mix with other senior citizens of the area. Swapno Bhor has been built on a unique concept and is the only of its kind in the state.

There is a library, a coffee shop, a space where senior citizens can take a stroll in the morning and evening and an auditorium where cultural programmes are held regularly giving senior citizens ample scope to gel up with each other. Vijaylakshmi R, a well known gerontologist said that such a venture should be followed in every area where the senior citizens can have a space where they can meet and exchange their views.

"The problem of senior citizens in India is a new phenomenon but in the past few years, it has become quite a major problem in society and unless we make plans now, by 2025 it will become a serious issue," she said.