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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated 1,608 affordable housing units in Bhubaneswar on October 13, 2026, and laid the foundation stone for a rental housing project under PMAY-Urban BANDHU. The state government also highlighted its housing targets under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana and dedicated modern sports grounds across the capital city.
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday inaugurated two affordable housing projects at Ghatikia and Gadakana in Bhubaneswar, providing a total of 1,608 residential units for eligible beneficiaries . He also laid the foundation stone for an affordable rental housing project at Gadakana under the PMAY-Urban BANDHU scheme and dedicated modern sports grounds developed by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).
The housing projects are aimed at improving access to permanent homes for economically weaker families and other eligible beneficiaries. During the programme, housing allotments were handed over to beneficiaries, while housewarming ceremonies were organised for 962 families at Buddha Vihar, Nilamadhab, Subuddhipur and Shantipalli.
Addressing the gathering at Ghatikia, Majhi said the state government was committed to ensuring that people from different sections of society could access secure housing and live with dignity.
The Chief Minister inaugurated two residential projects: Nilakantheswar Niwas at Ghatikia and Mukteswar Residency at Gadakana . Together, the projects account for 1,608 housing units.
The project details are as follows:
Mukteswar Residency, Gadakana: The project comprises 680 housing units spread across more than six acres. It was developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 95 crore .
Nilakantheswar Niwas, Ghatikia: The project comprises 928 housing units across more than five acres, with a reported construction cost of Rs 66.48 crore .
Majhi handed over housing allotment documents to beneficiaries from both projects. The initiative is expected to help eligible families secure permanent accommodation in Bhubaneswar.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also distributed bank loan assistance to five beneficiaries from Buddha Vihar to help them meet their housing-related expenses.
The assistance amounts were:
Tulasi Tiria: Rs 1.20 lakh
Durga Charan Singh: Rs 1.20 lakh
Rashmika Naik: Rs 1.35 lakh
Sarbeswar Gaya: Rs 1.25 lakh
Prafulla Maharana: Rs 1.35 lakh
Access to housing finance can help eligible beneficiaries arrange their share of the housing cost and move towards homeownership. The assistance announced at the event was intended to ease this financial burden for the selected families.
Highlighting housing as a basic necessity, Majhi said the government was working to improve access to essential facilities, including homes, sanitation, drinking water, electricity and cooking gas.
According to the figures cited by the Chief Minister, more than two lakh houses have been sanctioned in Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) . Separately, the state government aims to provide approximately five lakh houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana .
These housing initiatives are intended to improve living conditions for eligible families, particularly those who need financial support to secure permanent accommodation.
The announced target under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana should be distinguished from the housing units inaugurated at Ghatikia and Gadakana. The 1,608 units relate specifically to the two projects inaugurated during the October 13 programme.
Alongside the inauguration of the residential projects, Majhi laid the foundation stone for an affordable rental housing project at Gadakana under PMAY-Urban BANDHU .
The proposed initiative aims to provide low-cost rental accommodation to migrant workers and low-income families , particularly people who need to live close to their workplaces.
Affordable rental housing can help reduce commuting and accommodation expenses for workers who move to urban areas for employment but may not be able to purchase a home immediately.
The announcement is part of the broader effort to address urban housing requirements through both permanent homes and rental accommodation. However, the project’s rental rates, unit capacity, construction timeline and application procedure were not specified in the reports reviewed.
The Chief Minister also dedicated modern sports grounds developed by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority in Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas.
The reports identify the following locations: Bajrangi, K-4, Kolathia, Tamando, Nakhara, the CBSE Regional Office area, Jadupur, Damana High School, Unit-II Girls' High School, Bhubaneswar Central UP School, Ghatikia and Unit-VIII Boys' High School, along with the Saheed Nagar High School ground.
The facilities are intended to encourage sports participation, support young athletes and promote physical fitness among residents. Majhi said such infrastructure could help children develop their sporting abilities while enabling people of different age groups to lead healthier lives.
Note: The reports describe the initiative as covering 12 modern sports grounds but name 13 locations when the Saheed Nagar High School ground is counted separately. The exact number and location-wise list should be confirmed against the official BDA release before publication.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the new homes would provide slum-dwelling families with more dignified living conditions and permanent addresses. He also highlighted the potential benefits for children's education and the social standing of beneficiary families.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh described homeownership in the state capital as an important aspiration for many economically disadvantaged families. Khordha MLA Prasanta Jagadev stressed the importance of ensuring access to basic necessities, including food, clothing and shelter.
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das also welcomed the housing initiatives, saying they would help beneficiaries improve their living conditions.
BDA Vice-Chairman and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Chanchal Rana delivered the welcome address, while BDA Secretary Manas Ranjan Padhi proposed the vote of thanks.
The inauguration of 1,608 homes at Ghatikia and Gadakana marks a further step in Odisha's efforts to expand affordable urban housing. The announcement also highlights two distinct housing needs: permanent homes for eligible beneficiaries and affordable rentals for workers who need accommodation near their jobs.
People interested in these projects should check official announcements from the Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority for eligibility criteria, allotment status, payment requirements and any future application opportunities.
Important: The reports do not establish that the 1,608 newly inaugurated homes are open for fresh applications. Interested applicants should not assume that registration is currently available without an official notice.
The rental housing project is at the foundation-stage announcement described in the reports. Details about its availability, rent, eligibility and application dates remain to be confirmed through an official notification.
