Majhi Inaugurates 1,608 Houses, Launches BANDHU Scheme in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday inaugurated two affordable housing projects in Bhubaneswar, adding 1,608 houses to the city’s housing infrastructure. He also opened 12 modern playgrounds and launched a new scheme to help migrant workers and low-income families find affordable accommodation near their workplaces.

The housing projects, Nilakanteshwar Residency in Ghatikia and Muktaswar Residency in Gadakana, have been developed at a combined cost of around Rs 161.48 crore. While Nilakanteshwar Residency has 928 houses built over more than five acres at a cost of Rs 66.48 crore, Muktaswar Residency comprises 680 houses spread across more than six acres, with an investment of around Rs 95 crore.

Addressing the gathering at Ghatikia, Majhi said the government was committed to ensuring that economically weaker families could live with dignity and that workers had access to affordable housing. He also stressed the need to provide young people with opportunities to develop their talents and enable citizens to lead healthy lives.

The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of housing in improving people’s quality of life, pointing out that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) provides more than just a roof over one’s head. The scheme also supports access to essential facilities, including toilets, piped drinking water, electricity and cooking gas.

Majhi said more than two lakh houses had been sanctioned under PMAY-Urban in Odisha. The state government has set a further target of providing around five lakh houses under the Antyodaya Griha Yojana.

The Chief Minister also launched the PMAY-Urban BANDHU scheme, which aims to provide affordable rental housing to migrant workers and lower-income families, allowing them to stay closer to their workplaces. The initiative also facilitates housing loans through banks and financial institutions. He laid the foundation stone for an affordable housing project at Gadakana under the scheme.

On the occasion, allotment letters were distributed to beneficiaries of both housing projects. Several beneficiaries also received bank loan assistance ranging from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 1.35 lakh.

In another urban development initiative, Majhi inaugurated 12 modern playgrounds developed by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA). The playgrounds are located at Bajrangi, K-4, Kolathia, Tamando, Nakhara, the CBSE Regional Office, Yadupur, Damana High School, Unit-2 Girls High School, Bhubaneswar Central UP School, Ghatikia, Unit-8 Boys High School and Shaheed Nagar High School.

Additionally, 962 families were provided shelter in Budha Vihar, Nilamadhav, Subudhipur and Shantipalli.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said the housing projects would provide slum dwellers with a permanent address and help improve their children’s education and social status.

Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Khurda MLA Prashant Jagdev, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, BDA Vice-Chairman and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Chanchal Rana, and BDA Secretary Manas Ranjan Padhi attended the programme.

The housing and playground projects, along with the new rental housing initiative, are aimed at addressing urban housing needs and improving access to recreational facilities in Bhubaneswar.