Odisha Explores CIDCO’s Housing Model to Scale Up Affordable Urban Homes

Mumbai/Navi Mumbai: Odisha is exploring modern construction technologies and integrated township models to accelerate affordable housing delivery, with Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visiting CIDCO’s PMAY-U housing projects in Navi Mumbai to study their implementation and scalability.

Dr Mahapatra visited the affordable housing developments at Kharkopar and Bamandongri to examine CIDCO’s experience in providing housing for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG). The exposure visit focused on construction technology, quality assurance, sustainability, township planning and connectivity.

CIDCO officials briefed the Minister on the planning, financing, design and execution of the projects. The delegation examined the use of precast concrete technology, factory-manufactured structural components, mechanised construction and aluminium formwork systems.

Officials explained that these technologies can significantly reduce construction time while improving quality and safety, minimising material wastage and making more efficient use of construction resources. The practices were discussed in the context of Odisha’s plans to expand affordable housing under PMAY-U and other urban development programmes.

The Minister also reviewed sustainability measures incorporated into the townships, including storm-water drainage systems, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, landscaped open spaces and scientific solid-waste management.

The integrated housing developments also include community infrastructure and other essential amenities aimed at creating safe and liveable neighbourhoods rather than standalone housing projects.

Another major focus of the visit was CIDCO’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model. The Minister was briefed on how affordable housing projects have been planned around metro corridors, suburban railway stations, bus services and major road networks.

Such integration, officials said, improves residents’ access to employment and essential services while reducing commuting time and transportation costs and encouraging sustainable urban mobility.

Appreciating CIDCO’s approach to project planning, execution and quality management, Dr Mahapatra said the experience could provide useful lessons for Odisha as it expands its affordable housing programmes.

He said providing safe, dignified and affordable housing to eligible urban families remains a priority of the Odisha government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Modern construction technologies, he added, could help the state accelerate housing delivery without compromising on quality and affordability.

The Minister said the Housing & Urban Development Department would examine the feasibility of adopting precast and modular construction, aluminium formwork and other advanced engineering technologies in suitable housing projects in Odisha.

He also stressed the importance of technical collaboration and knowledge sharing between CIDCO and Odisha agencies in areas such as construction technology, project management and integrated township development.

The visit was attended by CIDCO officials, including Superintending Engineer Vijay Patil, Karade, Assistant Executive Engineer Mahesh Sapkale, Project Director of Tata Consulting Engineers (PMC) Sunil Kumar Samantaray, representatives of the project management consultancy, Project Manager of Larsen & Toubro Karunanithi and other technical officials.