Three Crore Additional Houses Announced Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has set a goal to provide three crore additional houses in rural and urban areas across the country. Necessary allocations are being made to ensure the successful implementation of this ambitious plan. Under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, the housing needs of one crore urban poor and middle-class families will be addressed, with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crore. Central assistance of Rs 2.2 lakh crore will be provided over the next five years. Additionally, an interest subsidy scheme will facilitate affordable loans for homebuyers.
Transit Oriented Development Plans for 14 Large Cities
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plans are to be formulated for 14 large cities with a population exceeding 30 lakh. These plans will strategize the implementation and financing of transit-oriented communities, promoting sustainable and efficient urban development.
Promoting Rental Housing and Streamlining Stamp Duty
Efforts will also be made to create enabling policies and regulations for transparent and efficient rental housing markets. Rental housing with dormitory-type accommodation for industrial workers will be facilitated through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with support and commitment from anchor industries. Additionally, the government will encourage states to lower the high stamp duty rates and consider further reductions for properties purchased by women.
Land Reforms in Rural and Urban Areas
State governments will undertake land-related reforms and actions to improve land administration, planning, management, urban planning and building bylaws. Appropriate fiscal support will be provided to incentivize completion of these reforms within the next three years. In rural areas, actions will include assigning Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN), digitizing cadastral maps, conducting surveys, establishing land registries, and linking data to farmers’ registries. Similarly, land records in urban areas will be digitized using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, and an IT-based system for property record administration and tax administration will be put in place.
Promoting Cities as Growth Hubs and Redevelopment Initiatives
The government aims to facilitate the development of “Cities as Growth Hubs” by collaborating with states and driving economic and transit planning. Peri-urban areas will undergo orderly development while utilizing town planning schemes. Moreover, a structured framework for enabling policies, market-based mechanisms, and regulations will be formulated to encourage creative brownfield redevelopment of existing cities.
Important Development Updates
The central government is committed to fulfilling the commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. With an understanding of the need for a capital city, the government will provide special financial assistance through multilateral development agencies. In the current financial year, an amount of Rs 15,000 crore will be arranged for this purpose, with additional funds in future years.
As part of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar plants will be installed to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to one crore households. The scheme has witnessed great response, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications. The government intends to further support and encourage this initiative.
Industrial parks equipped with complete infrastructure will be developed in or near 100 cities. These “plug and play” parks will facilitate investment opportunities and enhance industrial development. Additionally, twelve industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme will be sanctioned.
The recent announcements made by the government demonstrate its strong commitment to addressing housing, infrastructure, and development needs across the country. With the implementation of these initiatives, millions of families will benefit from improved living conditions and enhanced economic opportunities in both rural and urban areas.
