Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday inaugurated two affordable housing projects at Ghatikia and Gadakana in Bhubaneswar, providing a total of 1,608 homes for eligible families.
He also laid the foundation stone for an affordable rental housing project at Gadakana under the PMAY-Urban BANDHU scheme and dedicated 12 modern sports grounds to the public in and around the state capital. The two housing projects are expected to benefit 1,608 families, while housewarming ceremonies were also organised for 962 families at Buddha Vihar, Nilamadhab, Subuddhipur and Shantipalli.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Ghatikia, Majhi said the state government was committed to providing permanent houses to people from all sections of society, ensuring security and dignity.
“We want to build a Bhubaneswar where poor families can live with dignity, workers can access affordable housing, young people can develop their talents and every citizen can lead a healthy and better life,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Nilakantheswar Niwas housing project at Ghatikia and the Mukteswar Residency project at Gadakana.
The Gadakana project, built on more than six acres at a cost of around Rs 95 crore, comprises 680 housing units. The Ghatikia project, spread over more than five acres, has 928 housing units constructed at a cost of Rs 66.48 crore.
Majhi directly handed over housing allotments to beneficiaries of both projects.
He also distributed bank loan assistance to five beneficiaries from Buddha Vihar to help them meet their housing costs. The assistance included Rs 1.20 lakh each for Tulasi Tiria and Durga Charan Singh, Rs 1.35 lakh for Rashmika Naik, Rs 1.25 lakh for Sarbeswar Gaya and Rs 1.35 lakh for Prafulla Maharana.
Emphasising the importance of housing as a basic necessity, Majhi said that a roof over one’s head was one of the most important requirements after food.
He said the Union government was addressing the basic needs of poor families through housing, toilets, piped drinking water, electricity and cooking gas.
In Odisha, more than two lakh houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban, while the state government plans to provide around five lakh houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, he said.
The Chief Minister said the government’s housing initiatives aimed to ensure that every eligible family could access a permanent home and live with dignity.
Majhi also laid the foundation stone for an affordable rental housing project at Gadakana under the PMAY-Urban BANDHU scheme.
The initiative aims to provide affordable rental accommodation to migrant workers and low-income families, enabling them to live near their workplaces and reduce their housing expenses.
The government said housing beneficiaries were also being provided access to loans through banks and financial institutions to help them pay their share of the cost and eventually own homes.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the new homes would give slum dwellers a new identity and provide them with proper addresses, potentially improving their children’s educational opportunities and social standing.
Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh said owning a home in Bhubaneswar was a major aspiration for many poor families and described the housing projects as a step towards fulfilling that dream. Khordha MLA Prasanta Jagadev stressed the importance of ensuring access to food, shelter and clothing for every citizen.
Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das described the occasion as a moment of happiness for city residents, saying the housing projects would help beneficiaries lead lives with dignity.
BDA Vice-Chairman and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Chanchal Rana delivered the welcome address, while BDA Secretary Manas Ranjan Padhi proposed the vote of thanks.
The State government said the housing and sports infrastructure initiatives were part of its broader efforts to improve living conditions, expand access to affordable accommodation and promote inclusive urban development.
12 sports grounds inaugurated
As part of efforts to promote sports, fitness and community well-being, the Chief Minister dedicated 12 modern sports grounds developed by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) in Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas. The grounds are located at Bajrangi, K-4, Kolathia, Tamando, Nakhara, the CBSE Regional Office, Jadupur, Damana High School, Unit-II Girls’ High School, Bhubaneswar Central UP School, Ghatikia and Unit-VIII Boys’ High School, along with the Saheed Nagar High School ground.
Majhi said the facilities would help children develop their sporting abilities and enable senior citizens to maintain healthier lifestyles. He expressed hope that the initiatives would contribute to making Bhubaneswar a safer, more inclusive and balanced city.