The government of Orissa is embarking on an ambitious project to develop 5,000 affordable homes in Bhubaneswar, the bustling capital city. In response to the escalating property prices that have rendered housing inaccessible for many middle and lower-income families, this initiative aims to offer much-needed affordable residences.
Injeti Srinivas, the secretary of housing and urban development, confirmed that the development will be executed in partnership with private developers. The affordable housing projects will be established in Gothapatna, where approximately 100 acres of land have been earmarked for such developments. A portion of around 15 to 20 acres of this land will specifically be allocated to the developers to initiate these projects.
This undertaking primarily targets the economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG) of society, marking a significant step forward under the Scheme for Affordable Urban Housing in Odisha-2012. To define the target demographics, individuals earning less than Rs. 7,500 monthly will be classified as EWS, while those earning between Rs. 7,501 and Rs. 15,000 will fall under LIG.
Srinivas mentioned that the projected price range for these homes will fluctuate between Rs. 3.5 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh. To enhance accessibility to the new housing developments, the government intends to introduce bus services once the construction is completed.
Under the current project, 75% of the total area will be allocated for EWS and LIG housing units, while the developer will retain the discretion to utilize the remaining land as per their business plan. Following the completion of the Bhubaneswar housing project, the government has ambitious plans to replicate this initiative in other cities, with a target of developing an impressive 20,000 EWS and LIG housing units each year.