Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: In a significant step towards providing affordable housing, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently distributed pucca houses to 167 beneficiaries through a lottery system under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) schemes. The distribution took place as part of a recent initiative in early 2026, where over 160 families were allotted houses in the Chandrasekharpur Budhvihar Housing Project.
The beneficiaries were selected from over 10 slums in Bhubaneswar, including areas like Saliasahi, Subhas Bose Nagar Basti, Mahavir Basti, Fish Market Basti, Jagannathvihar Gopal Basti, Shaheed Laxman Basti, Palakandir Mundasahi, Maa Bhagwati Basti, and Mangala Basti.
The event was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, who was the chief guest. During his address, Dr. Mohapatra highlighted the government's plans to build a 6-storey apartment complex equipped with modern facilities for the residents. A special committee will be formed to manage all the responsibilities associated with the apartment complex.
Minister Mohapatra also announced that market complex houses would be allocated to the people residing in the Budha Vihar Housing Project, with an aim to help them achieve financial development. Besides housing, efforts are underway to provide education and healthcare facilities for the children of the beneficiaries. The government also plans to offer low-cost housing for middle-class families living in slums, with final preparations already in progress.
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das emphasized that the government is gradually constructing pucca houses for beneficiaries whose homes have been, or are about to be, demolished for various development projects. She urged the beneficiaries to take good care of their new homes and maintain cleanliness in their surroundings. She also reassured that BMC had made all necessary arrangements for a smooth transition, including providing essential services such as drinking water and electricity.
To ensure transparency, houses were allotted through a lottery system in the presence of all beneficiaries. BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana warned that any individual found to have obtained a house through fraudulent means or false documentation would face eviction and legal action, including the filing of a police complaint.
The program also saw the presence of other key officials, including Slum Settlement Committee Chairperson Mahamaya Swain, BMC Additional Commissioner Kailash Chandra Das, Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mohanty, and Assistant Commissioner Satyajit Das, who coordinated the event. The vote of thanks was delivered by Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu.
