Login
Kotak Mahindra Bank: RLLR: 0.75 | From: 8.7% - To: 10.5%
Union Bank of India: RLLR: 0.5 | From: 8.5% - To: 10%
Bank of Baroda: RLLR: 0.5 | From: 9.25% - To: 11%
HDFC Bank: RLLR: 0.75 | From: 8.5% - To: 8.8%

Bhubaneswar to prioritise permanent homes for urban poor living in transit shelters

#Law & Policy#India#Odisha
Last Updated : 23rd Jun, 2025
share-icon Share
font-size icon Font size
ABC Small ABCMedium ABCLarge
Save
print Print
comment Comment
Synopsis

In a significant step towards formalising housing access for the economically weaker sections, Odisha�s Housing and Urban Development Department has introduced a structured plan to allot affordable homes on priority to urban poor currently staying in transit shelters across Bhubaneswar. The move, detailed under a newly released SOP, outlines eligibility criteria, verification norms, financial contributions, and prioritisation mechanisms, particularly favouring slum dwellers with no pucca homes and individuals with disabilities. This initiative aligns with the broader push under PMAY-Urban 2.0 and dovetails with 43 recently approved housing projects across 42 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), aiming to boost urban inclusivity and housing equity.

Story Image

Representative image

Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Department has set into motion a well-defined plan aimed at providing permanent housing to the urban poor currently residing in transit accommodations across Bhubaneswar. As part of this initiative, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been put in place to streamline the process, ensuring transparency and fairness while giving priority to the most vulnerable sections.


Under the SOP, priority will be given to slum dwellers who are currently housed in transit shelters and do not possess pucca homes. Applicants must meet specific income-based eligibility criteria. The SOP stipulates that the annual family income of eligible beneficiaries should not exceed INR?3?lakh. Additionally, to ensure equitable distribution, beneficiaries must not own any pucca house in any part of India. Families with a disabled member will receive preferential allotment on ground-floor units to facilitate accessibility.

To implement the verification process, joint enumeration teams formed by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct door-to-door surveys, gathering household details and photographic evidence. These entries will then be displayed publicly for objections or corrections. Upon successful verification, applicants will be issued demand letters. Each beneficiary is required to contribute INR?1.50?lakh towards the housing unit, for which the state government has assured bank loan support via public and private sector banks. This financial structure echoes the blended funding model followed under PMAY-Urban incorporating central, state, and beneficiary contributions.

The latest policy builds on Odisha�s Housing for All Policy, which was amended in 2025 to strengthen the execution of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0. This revamped policy aims to improve implementation in urban centres by focusing on land availability, project approval timelines, and affordability benchmarks.

The state�s efforts appear to be gaining momentum. In the past week, the government gave approval for 43 Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) housing projects under PMAY-Urban 2.0 across 42 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), paving the way for nearly 4,000 new housing units. Bhubaneswar is slated to receive 44 of these homes, with the remaining units allocated across districts like Cuttack, Khurda, and Puri. The approved projects are intended to be executed under a tight timeframe, with priority given to cities with high populations of transit house residents and existing slum settlements.

This multi-pronged housing drive underscores Odisha�s commitment to strengthening urban infrastructure while addressing the acute housing needs of low-income urban populations. The SOP-based mechanism not only introduces clarity into the process but also ensures that eligible families are not sidelined due to procedural ambiguity or lack of information.
Next (BMC�s land monetisation plan faces hurdles as bids for key plots stall)

Related News

Have something to say? Post your comment

Post Comment

Recent Messages

Other News
post_image

5th Jun, 2025

Mumbai emerges as top data centre hub in Asia-Pacific region
post_image

25th May, 2023

Reliance Industries acquires the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York
post_image

11th May, 2023

U.S. housing market sees significant decline in home listings amidst reluctant sellers and high mortgage rates
post_image

27th Apr, 2023

US single-family housing construction on the rise: positive signs for a struggling market