During a press conference marking 100 days of the Modi government, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Urban (U), states are now required to contribute financially. This mandate aims to ensure smoother implementation, addressing challenges from the first phase. PMAY-U 2.0 seeks to build an additional one crore houses for urban poor and middle-class families. Khattar also highlighted the government's metro expansion efforts, with India now boasting the third-largest metro network globally. These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to improving urban living standards.
During a press conference celebrating 100 days of the Modi government, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar revealed that states are now required to contribute under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Urban (U) to facilitate the successful implementation of this ambitious housing initiative. Previously, such a requirement was absent, leading to difficulties during the first phase.
Khattar noted that the PMAY-U 2.0, approved in the first Cabinet meeting after this year's Lok Sabha elections, aims to construct an additional one crore houses for eligible urban poor and middle-class families within the next five years. He explained that to address the challenges faced in the past, contributions from states have now become a mandatory requirement in this new phase.
Since its inception, PMAY-U has sanctioned 1.18 crore houses, with over 85.5 lakh homes already constructed and delivered to beneficiaries. The program, backed by a substantial investment of Rs 10 lakh crore, reflects the Prime Minister's vision to improve the living conditions of citizens.
In addition to housing, Khattar discussed the government's efforts to enhance urban transport. He emphasised the significance of expanding the metro network, which he described as crucial for the economic development of cities. In 2014, India's metro network spanned 248 km across five cities. Over the past decade, 750 km of metro lines have become operational, bringing the total to 978 km in 23 cities, with another 985 km currently under construction. This positions India as having the third-largest metro rail network globally, serving over 10 million passengers daily.
In conclusion, the mandatory state contribution to PMAY-U 2.0 aims to streamline the housing initiative, ensuring more effective implementation. With substantial investments and an expanding metro network, the government is committed to improving the quality of urban life for millions across the country.
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