SURAT: A real estate developer in the diamond hub of Varachha has become a messiah for the homeless families facing financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prakash Bhalani (45), chairman of Rudraksh developers in Mota Varachha’s Velanja area, provided accommodation to about 42 families at his newly constructed residential project.
Rudraksh lake place, a five-storey low-rise residential project located in Umara in Mota Varachha’s Velanja, was completed during the lockdown and that the developer was about to start the booking for the same. Bhalani came across many families during the lockdown, especially from the diamond industry and service-class people who were facing difficulties paying the rent due to financial crisis.

However, Bhalani thought of accommodating such needy families at his project by taking Rs 1,500 maintenance for the monthly expense of security, electricity, cleanliness and other maintenance in the project. It has been from the last 20 days that the 42 families are living happily in the residential project.
Talking with TOI, Prakash Bhalani, chairman of Rudraksh Developers said, “There are four low-rise wings having a total of 92 flats. Till now, we have accommodated 42 needy families and we are hunting for other people under financial crisis who can come and stay in our flats. I am going to let out all the 92 flats to the needy people.”
Bhalani added, “Due to coronavirus pandemic and financial crisis, my flats are not going to be sold anytime soon. I have offered the families to stay as long as they wish, till they find their own accommodation in the city”
According to Bhalani, he contacted many developers in Varachha whose projects are up and ready and asked them to offer the flats to the needy people on the monthly token amount.
“Developers are wary to give flats to the needy people. They (developers) think that when their flats would be vacated, they will have to spend anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for the renovation. This will add to their cost,” said Bhalani.