In a significant move to address urban housing challenges, the Odisha government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at making homeownership accessible to low and middle-income families in the state capital.
For many residents, owning a home in Bhubaneswar has remained a distant dream due to persistently high property prices. This scheme, spearheaded by the Housing and Urban Development Department, directly tackles this issue by offering thoughtfully priced housing units.
The core objective of the project is to ensure that ordinary citizens can purchase a home without facing financial strain. “The government intends to ensure that even ordinary people can secure a house in Bhubaneswar without spending beyond their means,” stated Housing Minister Pratap Keshari Mahapatra.
The initiative will be executed through the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Odisha State Housing Board, leveraging their expertise in urban development and project management.
First unveiled in July, the scheme is designed with clear and inclusive pricing. Prospective homeowners can expect units to be priced between ₹15 lakh and ₹50 lakh, catering to a wide spectrum of the city's working population.
To guarantee a fair and impartial allocation process, the government will distribute these homes through a transparent lottery system, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.
The project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The government has already floated tenders to bring in private partners, a step taken to ensure accountability, quality construction, and timely delivery of the projects.
Minister Mahapatra also highlighted that this is just the beginning. The government has plans to extend the successful model of this scheme to other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and cities across Odisha that are experiencing similar issues of congestion and housing shortages due to rapid population growth.
"The process has begun, and the land has been identified. Work on the project will begin in full force,” the Minister said. “Some of the projects will be done in PPP mode, whereas some will be taken up independently by the BDA. The Housing Board will also push such expansions to other ULBs."
With land already identified and the process set in motion, this affordable housing project marks a crucial step towards inclusive urban development in Odisha.