Though primarily aimed at the underprivileged, Manasa has 12 different designs of experimental mobile housing that may suit different sectors.
While owning a house is everyone’s dream, making that come true is Perala Manasa’s dream. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old civil engineer announced the launch of OPods or micro homes in pipes comprising one bedroom with a built-up area 120 sq ft and made out of a concrete sewerage pipe of 2000 mm diameter.
Hailing from a poor family in Bommakal village in Telangana’s Karimnagar district, Manasa credits her single mother for inspiration and the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) for the education that enabled her to dream. After doing B.Tech (civil engineering) from Lovely Professional University in May 2020, Manasa spent another six months researching the designs prevalent in Japan, Hong Kong and other places to suit the local needs and weather conditions before registering a company in January 2021. The work on the first model began in March 2021.
Though primarily aimed at the underprivileged, Manasa has 12 different designs of experimental mobile housing that may suit different sectors.
The OPod comes with a bedroom, kitchen, hall, washroom, and shelves, and is equipped with electricity, water, and drainage. With a balcony-like lounge area over the tube, the OPod is best suited for one or two persons. “This is a first-of-its kind model in India. In 40 to 120 sq ft, we can have a customized movable all-weather home with a life span 100 years. The cost may come around Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh,” said Manasa, adding that designs for two or three-bedroom homes are also available.
“I have seen how people live under thatched roofs in urban slums. And when it rains, they lose everything. The best part of OPod is that it is as good as a regular house and can be translocated.”
Though container homes are available in similar segments at present, Manasa says her OPods are cooler inside and have a longer life. Apart from low-cost housing for the poor, she has designs that could be used by resorts, restaurants, mobile homes, mobile clinics, guest houses, guardrooms, etc.
Senior IPS officer and Secretary, Telangana Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society, Dr. RS Praveen Kumar recalls Manasa as a very active student. “She wanted to chart her course and pursue higher education which is rare in small villages. I found her idea (of affordable housing) radical. It’s just the beginning for her,” he told indianexpress.com.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/perala-manasa-low-cost-micro-houses-built-of-sewerage-pipes-7263271/
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wuoZb2SGRE
