Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Deepalaya in collaboration with C.F.A.I. Languedoc Roussillon, a technical school in France engaged in training and development of design, launched ‘Project Tortoise’, a low cost housing project for the poor, on 7th November 2006 at Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extension. The concept is to provide accommodation to the poor and the underprivileged at affordable rates. The inspiration for the ‘Project Tortoise’ came to Mr. Charles Prauls, a friend of Deepalaya, who during his visit to Deepalaya projects became very emotional about the living conditions of the people in the slums. He in turn approached C.F.A.I. Languedoc Roussillon, in France and got a design of low cost housing structure. This type of a structure would undoubtedly be a great happening for the people in slum and resettlement colonies of Delhi. Deepalaya in collaboration with C.F.A.I. Languedoc Roussillon took on the task of providing this low cost shelter which has a floor area of 12.5 sq. m - adequate for a room with attached bathroom and a kitchenette. The structure is of pre-fabricated ferro cement slabs for the floor, with bamboo side walls, bamboo mat for roof, all held on a pre-cast steel frame. The entire structure is fire resistant, hygienic, environment-friendly & can be easily transported. The approximate cost for a single unit is Rs. 1.75 lakh and with bulk orders, the cost would go down appreciably.