Advertisement
The Telangana government has changed its approach to urban housing by introducing G+3 Indiramma apartments directly within slum areas across Hyderabad and other cities. This shift comes after the previous model of relocating beneficiaries to the outskirts led to a low occupancy rate only 13,000 out of 42,000 flats were occupied. Sixteen slums in Hyderabad are part of the initial rollout, with Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Karimnagar also identified for the vertical in-situ model. The government is also providing housing to tribal communities and has implemented support measures like free sand, discounted cement proposals, and INR 5 lakh unit grants to push stalled 2BHK completions.
Telangana's government has opted for a significant course correction in its urban housing programme. Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy recently announced that the state would construct ground-plus-three-storey (G+3) Indiramma apartments directly within existing slum areas instead of relocating families to remote outskirts. This new model is being adopted following the poor response to previously constructed housing on city fringes, where only around 13,000 of the 42,000 flats were actually occupied. The long commuting distances and disconnection from urban livelihoods contributed to the low acceptance rates. Advertisement
The state has already selected sixteen urban bastis in Hyderabad to pilot this vertical housing plan, and the same model will extend to key municipal areas in Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Karimnagar. The initiative is part of the revived Indiramma housing programme, which is now being implemented with a more community-integrated and inclusive approach.
The Indiramma housing scheme first introduced in the 2000s and now restructured under the current government focuses on providing secure, concrete homes for economically weaker sections in both rural and urban Telangana. In its current form, the scheme has seen 2.37 lakh homes sanctioned so far, with more than 1 lakh units under construction and around 24,000 works underway in urban regions. It also includes support for those constructing homes on their own land, as well as efforts to resolve legacy disputes blocking housing access.
To support construction and ensure affordability, the government has decided to supply free sand and is considering price-controlled procurement of cement and steel. Price-monitoring committees are expected to be formed shortly to supervise this. Additionally, INR 5 lakh in financial assistance will be granted to complete unfinished 2BHK units, a measure aimed at unlocking previously stalled stock and aiding faster delivery.
Housing support is also being expanded to marginalised communities. More than 13,000 houses have been sanctioned in ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) areas, while another 8,750 are planned for Scheduled Tribe constituencies taking the total tribal housing target to over 22,000 homes. Each unit will be backed by a state funding of INR 5 lakh, the highest per-unit allotment in any state across the country, according to officials.
The administration is also resolving legal and land ownership issues that have historically hampered urban housing progress. Over 8.6 lakh pending cases related to land rights are being addressed through gram sabha sessions under the Revenue Sadassulu campaign and digitised through the newly launched Bhu Bharati land records portal. Officials are aiming to clear these by mid-August to streamline new allotments and accelerate housing execution.
However, the G+3 model has not been welcomed uniformly. In several Hyderabad slums, families have expressed concerns about losing open space, privacy, and the social cohesion that their existing settlements provide. Some residents have reportedly voiced a preference for individual homes over vertical housing structures. Authorities have acknowledged the feedback and indicated that plans may be re-evaluated in locations where resistance is strong.
While the state government is pushing hard for faster rollout, a recent face-to-face programme held in Hyderabad revealed the large-scale demand for Indiramma homes still waiting to be met. Several citizens submitted fresh applications seeking inclusion in the scheme, indicating a persistent housing gap despite ongoing efforts.
The broader vision of the government reflects continuity with Telangana's long-standing Double Bedroom Housing initiative launched in 2014, aimed at making cities slum-free. By adopting an in-situ redevelopment model, similar to the globally backed ISSR approach, Telangana is choosing to upgrade infrastructure within communities rather than displace them.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
