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Karnataka has approved the Shramika Nivasa Scheme , a new worker housing initiative aimed at addressing accommodation and commuting difficulties faced by industrial workers. Under the first phase, the state plans to facilitate around 10,000 houses for workers close to their workplaces.
The decision was approved by the Karnataka Cabinet on September 9, 2026 , along with the Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2026-31 and other measures aimed at boosting industrial investment and employment. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced details of the worker housing programme after the Cabinet meeting.
The Shramika Nivasa Scheme has been planned to provide suitable residential accommodation for industrial workers near industrial and workplace locations. The initiative is intended to reduce the daily commuting burden of workers employed in factories and other industrial establishments.
According to the government, large industrial units will be encouraged to construct worker accommodation , while the state will extend support through subsidies and land-related assistance .
The programme is expected to be implemented in phases, with the initial target set at around 10,000 houses .
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said companies and industries would be expected to establish the housing facilities with government support.
The first phase of the Karnataka worker housing scheme will target approximately 10,000 houses . The accommodation will be located close to industrial workplaces so that workers can access their jobs more conveniently.
The government has not yet released a detailed project-wise breakup of the proposed 10,000 houses.
A key component of the Shramika Nivasa housing scheme is government support for industries willing to develop worker accommodation.
The state plans to provide land, including Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) plots , at subsidised rates. Financial support and subsidies will also be extended as part of the programme.
This approach is expected to help industries establish accommodation facilities without bearing the entire cost of land and related development.
The initiative is not limited only to one industrial sector. Reports on the Cabinet decision indicate that the worker housing programme will cover industries across sectors.
The scheme is also expected to include IT and biotechnology companies , along with other large industrial establishments.
The government's broader industrial policy is also focused on encouraging investment and employment beyond Bengaluru, particularly in backward and most-backward areas.
The Karnataka government is yet to announce the complete operational guidelines for Shramika Nivasa .
The concerned departments are expected to frame guidelines covering aspects such as room sizes, housing standards and essential amenities to be provided in the worker accommodation.
Therefore, details such as the exact housing design, number of workers accommodated per unit, maintenance arrangements and other operational conditions cannot yet be confirmed.
At present, the available Cabinet announcements describe Shramika Nivasa as a worker-accommodation programme involving industries , rather than a conventional individual beneficiary housing scheme.
The available reports do not announce an application process through which individual industrial workers can directly apply for a house. Instead, companies and industries are expected to establish accommodation facilities with government support .
Further details on worker eligibility, occupancy, rent or allotment will depend on the detailed guidelines to be issued by the Karnataka government.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Shramika Nivasa |
| State | Karnataka |
| Approved by | Karnataka Cabinet |
| Approval date | September 9, 2026 |
| Objective | Provide worker accommodation close to workplaces |
| First-phase target | Around 10,000 houses |
| Implementing approach | Industries/large companies to establish accommodation |
| Government support | Subsidies and land support |
| Land agency mentioned | KIADB |
| Sectors | Industries across sectors, including IT and biotechnology |
| Housing guidelines | To be issued by concerned departments |
| Individual application process | Not announced yet |
The new Karnataka worker housing scheme comes as the state seeks to attract industrial investment while creating employment opportunities across different regions.
Providing accommodation closer to industrial workplaces could help address two linked challenges — worker housing shortages and long daily commutes . For industries located away from major urban centres, employer-supported accommodation could also make it easier to attract and retain workers.
The scheme is therefore being positioned as part of Karnataka's broader industrial and employment strategy rather than as a conventional housing lottery or direct house-allotment scheme.
The Karnataka government is expected to provide more details once the detailed Shramika Nivasa guidelines are notified.
