Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver possession of 15,000 affordable homes in Solapur, Maharashtra, next month, marking the largest Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) initiative in the state. The houses are earmarked for beedi workers, textile mill workers, rag-pickers, and construction workers and will be allocated without any cost to the beneficiaries. Work has also commenced on an additional 15,000 houses as part of this ambitious project.
Valsa Nair Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing Department of Maharashtra, announced this significant development on September 15. She stated, “The biggest housing scheme for the economically weaker section is now in the final stages of construction at a location known as Ray Nagar in Solapur. The PM is scheduled to inaugurate it next month.”
Each of the 15,000 houses on the ground measures 300 square feet, and individuals earning less than Rs 3 lakh per annum are eligible for these residences. The entire PMAY project encompasses 30,000 homes spanning 100 acres, with an approximate unit cost of Rs 6 lakh.
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the nodal agency for PMAY in Maharashtra, has confirmed that these homes will be assigned to beedi workers, textile mill workers, rag-pickers, and construction workers. Solapur, situated near Pune, the IT hub of Maharashtra, is the location for this substantial affordable housing initiative.
Furthermore, Singh highlighted the state’s commitment to a new housing policy aimed at fostering innovation, smart housing, and modern concepts such as walk-to-work arrangements. She added that the government is considering offering incentives for senior citizen housing and student housing, seeking input from stakeholders, departments, and developers. Once the comprehensive policy is formulated, it will be released to the public for further suggestions and feedback.
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