Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to inaugurate 1,700 housing units for the urban poor, a result of the 2015 Housing for All in Urban Areas policy. Constructed through a public-private partnership by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority, these projects integrate social infrastructure. Buddha Vihar, a greenfield initiative, targets 2,600 housing units for the economically weaker sections. The EWS houses, ranging from 23 to 30 square meters, aim to ease financial burdens through bank loans. Keshari Residency pioneers slum redevelopment, symbolising a commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Following the 2015 Housing for All in Urban Areas policy, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to inaugurate more than 1,700 housing units for the urban poor this week. Constructed through a public-private partnership led by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), these projects go beyond housing, incorporating social infrastructure like neighbourhood shopping centres and communal gathering spaces. Currently, the city has over 7,000 housing units for the urban poor in various stages of construction. The 2015 policy outlines seven different models employed by the government to establish affordable housing units, which may include offering incentives to private developers. The upcoming inauguration involves two distinct projects, with one named Buddha Vihar located atop a hill near Buddha Jayanti Park in Chandrasekharpur. The second project finds its place in the upscale Satya Nagar locality. Buddha Vihar, spanning 20.21 acres, represents a greenfield affordable housing initiative targeting 2,600 housing units for the economically weaker sections (EWS). The initial phase, completed through the collaboration of a private partner, includes 820 dwelling units, a multi-amenity centre, and associated infrastructure. These units have been handed over to the BDA for allotment. Vice-Chairman of BDA, Balwant Singh, emphasises that the project aims to address the housing needs of the urban poor affected by various development projects in the smart city. The EWS dwelling units cover 11.95 acres, with a 6.5-acre allocation for a private developer to construct houses at market rates. Sources indicate that the EWS houses will range from 23 to 30 square meters, with allottees expected to contribute around Rs 1.5 lakh. The BDA facilitates bank loans for the allottees to ease the financial burden. The second project, Keshari Residency, takes shape as an in-situ slum development project in the Shanti Nagar slum of Satya Nagar. Pioneering slum redevelopment in Bhubaneswar Town Centre District (BTCD), the project aims to transform existing slum areas into an integrated housing development. Phase-I of the Slum Redevelopment Project covers over four acres and includes a total of 840 EWS units, with 560 units ready for occupancy. As part of the development agreement, the private developer will receive a 2.10-acre land parcel for its independent development. These initiatives reflect a commitment to inclusive urban development, striving to uplift the lives of the urban poor through accessible and sustainable housing solutions.
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