Bhubaneswar, 21 February (H.S.): In a major push to accelerate affordable housing in urban areas, the Government of Odisha has introduced PMAY-Urban BANDHU (Beneficiary Assistance for Nurturing Development of Housing Units) in the State Budget 2026–27. The initiative is aimed at strengthening and expanding the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).
The scheme has been designed to provide focused assistance to beneficiaries from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and extend housing support to eligible landless urban families. By addressing existing gaps and enhancing implementation capacity, the programme seeks to complement PMAY-U and ensure faster housing delivery with wider coverage across towns and cities.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Additional Chief Secretary Usha Padhee said the programme will ensure steady land availability for affordable housing. Under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) vertical of PMAY-U 2.0, the state will earmark 50 acres of government land annually, which is expected to accelerate housing construction for EWS families and expand pucca housing coverage in urban Odisha.
The initiative is also expected to streamline project execution by strengthening institutional support and improving coordination among urban local bodies.
The Chief Minister has approved a budget allocation of ₹120 crore for the scheme in the 2026–27 financial year, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving urban housing infrastructure and ensuring that no eligible family is left without housing support.
Aligned with the state’s vision document “Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat,” the programme aims to ensure that 90 percent of households have pucca houses by 2029, reinforcing housing as a key foundation for better health, education, livelihoods and inclusive urban growth.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
