Bhubaneswar, Aug 11 [UDN}: With the objective of ensuring that every eligible family living in urban areas has access to a permanent and secure house by the year 2029, the State Cabinet has approved the PMAY-(U) Bandhu Scheme. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) and expanding housing support for economically and socially vulnerable families residing in urban areas.
The approval of the scheme marks an important step towards achieving the vision of “Housing for All” in the state's urban regions. Under the initiative, eligible families who do not have adequate or permanent housing are expected to receive assistance for construction or other forms of housing support, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria and government guidelines.
The scheme seeks to address the housing needs of low-income and disadvantaged households by facilitating access to safe, durable and dignified housing. It is also expected to contribute to the improvement of living conditions in urban settlements by reducing housing shortages and supporting families in obtaining better residential facilities.
The State Government has set 2029 as the target year for achieving universal housing coverage among all eligible urban families. The Cabinet's decision is therefore being viewed as a significant policy intervention aimed at accelerating housing development and ensuring that no eligible urban household is left without a proper home.
Through the PMAY-(U) Bandhu initiative, the government intends to strengthen the delivery of housing assistance at the grassroots level and ensure that the benefits reach genuinely eligible beneficiaries in a transparent and effective manner. The programme is expected to complement ongoing urban housing initiatives and further support the government's broader commitment to inclusive urban development.
The implementation of the scheme is likely to involve coordination among the concerned departments, urban local bodies and other stakeholders so that eligible beneficiaries can be identified, verified and provided with the required assistance in a timely manner.
The Cabinet approval thus represents a major step towards fulfilling the goal of providing universal housing to eligible urban families by 2029, while promoting secure housing, improved living standards and inclusive growth across the state's urban areas.
