Bhubaneswar: From affordable homes for families to better sporting facilities for young people, Bhubaneswar received a fresh push to urban development on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating housing projects and 12 playgrounds across the city.

The initiatives spread across housing and sports infrastructure aim to improve urban amenities and expand access to essential facilities for residents in the state capital. The Chief Minister inaugurated affordable housing projects at Gadakana and Ghatikia, marking another step towards strengthening the city's housing infrastructure.

For families seeking affordable accommodation, the programme also focused on access to housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U). Houses were allotted to beneficiaries under the scheme, while housing loans were provided to eligible beneficiaries under the Affordable Housing Project (AHP), helping them move closer to securing a home of their own.

Push for Affordable Urban Housing

The programme also included the laying of the foundation stone for rental housing projects under the PMAY-U BANDHU initiative. The proposed houses are intended to expand rental housing options, adding another dimension to the city's urban housing framework.

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With Bhubaneswar continuing to grow as an administrative, educational and commercial centre, access to affordable housing remains an important aspect of urban planning. Housing initiatives such as these seek to address the needs of eligible families while supporting the city's expanding residential requirements.

12 Playgrounds to Boost Sports Facilities

Alongside housing, the inauguration of 12 playgrounds in areas under the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expected to strengthen neighbourhood-level sports infrastructure.

Accessible playgrounds can provide children and young people with spaces for outdoor activities, organised sports and physical fitness. The new facilities are also expected to support local sporting talent by improving access to places where residents can practise and participate in recreational activities.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra attended the programme. Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Khordha MLA Prasanta Kumar Jagadev and legislators Ananta Narayan Jena, Sushant Kumar Rout, Babu Singh and Bibhuti Bhushan Balabantaray were also present.

The programme brought together housing support and public infrastructure development, highlighting two key priorities for a growing city: making homes more accessible and improving the quality of neighbourhood amenities.