The Housing & Urban Development Department, led by Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee convened a high-level review meeting today to evaluate Transit Housing and Affordable Housing Projects (AHPs).
The meeting actively assessed the status of completed housing stock, streamlined allotment mechanisms, and reinforced measures to guide planned urban growth.
Officials reviewed major projects such as the Chandrasekharpur Affordable Housing Project (Buddha Vihar), Nilamadhab Awas Yojana, Santipali Awas Yojana, and the Subuddhipur Affordable Housing Project. They emphasised the need for the timely occupation of completed housing units. Furthermore, they discussed project-wise progress, beneficiary coverage, and inter-agency coordination to prevent vacancies in ready housing stock.
In addition, the meeting examined the progress of upcoming projects at Ghatikia and Gadakana. The Principal Secretary directed officials to closely monitor timelines and ensure strict adherence to schedules. These projects, she noted, are critical to meeting rising urban housing demand and preventing unplanned settlements.
As a major outcome, the department constituted an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Secretary. This committee will provide policy oversight, coordinate decision-making, and resolve inter-departmental issues. Moreover, it will prioritise rental housing, streamline allotment modalities, and ensure optimal utilisation of completed AHP units.
The department decided to provisionally allot completed housing units to eligible beneficiaries for six months. During this period, officials will monitor occupancy, usage, and compliance with eligibility conditions. Only after successful completion of this watch period will final allotment orders be issued. Importantly, the allotted units cannot be transferred, sub-let, or handed over to others, thereby ensuring disciplined utilisation of housing stock.
The meeting also underscored the importance of integrating housing allotments with the AMA BUS public transport system. This step, officials explained, will promote sustainable urban mobility and improve accessibility while encouraging the use of public transport.
Reaffirming the government’s policy of “No New Slums and No New Encroachments,” Smt. Padhee stressed that proactive housing provision, prioritisation of rental housing, and strict enforcement must proceed together. She highlighted rental housing for migrant workers, the urban poor, and families in transition as a priority. Additionally, she identified NGOs as key partners for outreach, awareness generation, verification, and post-allotment support.
Senior officials attended the meeting, including Shri Chanchal Rana, Vice Chairman BDA and Commissioner BMC; Shri Arindam Dakua, Director Municipal Administration; Shri Subhananda Mohapatra, Additional Secretary; Shri Surendra Routroy, Additional Secretary; Shri Manoj Kumar Swain, Additional Commissioner BDA; and Shri Ajay Kumar Mohanty, Deputy Commissioner BMC.
