Over 21,000 Houses Sanctioned in Himachal Under PMAY-G; Development Push Continues

In a major boost to rural housing development, 21,071 houses have been sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) since its inception on April 1, 2016. This was revealed by Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Chander Shekhar Pesmani, in Parliament while responding to a query by Rajya Sabha MP Ms. Indu Bala Goswami. Of these, 3,290 houses have been approved in Kangra district alone, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing rural housing needs in the state.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, a flagship scheme of the central government, aims to provide “Housing for All” by ensuring pucca houses with basic amenities for the rural population. Nationwide, a target of constructing 2.95 crore houses under the scheme has been set to be achieved by March 2024. However, recognizing the growing demand for rural housing, the government has extended its vision, approving the construction of an additional two crore houses in rural areas between 2024-25 and 2028-29.

As of December 16, 2024, 2.68 crore houses have been constructed under PMAY-G against the overall target of 3.22 crore homes across states and union territories. In neighboring states, Punjab has seen 38,496 houses approved under the scheme, Haryana 28,776, Uttarakhand 67,924, and Jammu and Kashmir a significant 2,84,867 homes. However, the scheme has not been implemented in Telangana and Puducherry, marking an exception to the otherwise extensive coverage.

Apart from rural housing, development initiatives under the Amrit Bharat Yojana have also gained momentum in Himachal Pradesh. Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnav informed Ms. Goswami in Parliament about the progress made in upgrading railway stations in the state. At Amb Andaura railway station, key improvements such as station building upgrades, construction of waiting halls, toilet blocks, platform shelters, entry and exit gates, and parking areas have been completed. The construction of a foot overbridge is also underway.

Similarly, development work has started at Baijnath Paprola station, including the enhancement of the station building, waiting halls, platform surfacing, entrance porches, and parking areas. These upgrades aim to provide better facilities and enhance passenger convenience, reflecting the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the state.

For the Northern Zone, which includes Himachal Pradesh, a substantial budget allocation of ₹3,448 crore has been made for the financial year 2024-25. This financial support underscores the government’s focus on accelerating development in the region, spanning sectors like housing and transport infrastructure.

These initiatives are part of the government’s larger vision to uplift rural and semi-urban areas, ensuring access to basic amenities and improved living standards. The PMAY-G and Amrit Bharat Yojana not only aim to fulfill housing and infrastructure needs but also serve as a testament to the central government’s resolve to bring about transformative changes in the lives of citizens.

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