Minister Exposes Bihar’s Housing Growth—The Truth No One Saw Coming!

 Bihar has been witnessing significant advancements in the implementation of central government schemes aimed at urban development and housing. The state's leadership has expressed satisfaction with the progress, reflecting a commitment to transforming Bihar's urban landscape. This blog delves into the strides made under key initiatives such as the Smart City Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), highlighting the impact on the state's infrastructure and the lives of its residents.

Smart City Mission: Transforming Urban Infrastructure

Under the Smart City Mission, Bihar has embarked on an ambitious journey to modernize its urban centers. As of October 2024, 74 out of 129 projects have been completed, with the remaining 55 projects nearing completion, achieving a 70% completion rate. The state aims to finalize all Commercial space for sale in Noida projects within the next five months, underscoring a robust commitment to urban development.

A flagship endeavor under this mission is the Patna Metro Rail Project. This extensive project spans 32.5 kilometers and includes 25 stations—12 elevated, 12 underground, and one Grade Transit station. The project is divided into two main corridors: the first, 17.93 kilometers long, runs from Danapur Cant to Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg near Bailey Road; the second, 14.57 kilometers long, connects Patna Railway Station to the Patliputra bus stand. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹13,365.77 crore, with the Bihar government having already allocated ₹4,296 crore. The construction of a 6.5-kilometer Small office space in Noida priority corridor, featuring five stations from the Patliputra bus terminal to Malahi Pakadi via Zero Mile, Bhutnath, and Khemnichak, is progressing swiftly. The government aims to complete this corridor before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, marking a significant milestone in the state's infrastructure development.

Beyond Patna, metro projects are proposed for other major cities in Bihar, including Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Gaya, as part of the state's comprehensive urban development plan. Additionally, the construction of a subway between Bihar Museum and Patna Museum, with a budget of ₹542 crore, is underway, further enhancing the state's cultural infrastructure.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): Empowering Rural Communities

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) has been instrumental in providing affordable housing to rural populations in Bihar. Since its inception in 2015, the state has made remarkable progress in constructing dwelling units for the economically weaker sections. As of August 2024, Bihar's Rural Development Department (RDD) has completed 36.64 lakh units out of the 37 lakh sanctioned under PMAY-G from 2016-17 to 2023-24, achieving a completion rate of 98.94%. This accomplishment has prompted the state to request an additional 13.5 lakh units to accommodate homeless families identified in previous surveys.

Each beneficiary under PMAY-G receives ₹1.30 lakh for a dwelling unit, along with labor costs as per rates under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). For beneficiaries without land, the state government provides ₹1 lakh for land purchase, facilitating the construction of houses. This financial support has been pivotal in empowering rural communities and improving living standards across the state.

In December 2024, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an additional allocation of 5.46 lakh houses for Bihar under PMAY-G. This allocation is in addition to the earlier allocation of 2.43 lakh houses for the financial year 2024-25, reflecting the central government's commitment to supporting Bihar's housing initiatives.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U): Enhancing Urban Housing

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) aims to address the housing needs of urban populations. In Bihar, significant strides have been made under this Small office space in Noida scheme. As of October 2024, the state has completed 1,10,456 houses under PMAY-U. For the financial year 2024-25, Bihar has been allocated a target of 3,28,130 houses under PMAY-U, with each beneficiary receiving ₹1.50 lakh from the central government and ₹50,000 from the state government, totaling ₹2 lakh per unit.

The state government is also working on guidelines for the second phase of PMAY-U, aiming to broaden the scheme's reach and impact. This phase is expected to involve collaborations with private builders to expedite housing projects, drawing from successful models in other states. The focus remains on ensuring timely completion and allocation of houses to eligible beneficiaries, thereby enhancing the quality of life in urban areas.

Challenges and the Path Ahead

Despite the commendable progress, Bihar faces challenges in fully realizing the objectives of these central schemes. Issues such as land availability, migration of beneficiaries, and timely fund disbursement have posed hurdles in the past. However, the state's proactive measures, including financial assistance for land purchase and stringent monitoring mechanisms, have mitigated these challenges to a significant extent.

The collaboration between the central and state governments has been pivotal in driving these initiatives. The additional allocations under PMAY-G and PMAY-U reflect a shared commitment to improving housing infrastructure. The focus on completing ongoing projects and planning for future phases underscores a strategic approach to sustainable urban and rural development.

Conclusion

Bihar's progress in implementing central schemes like the Smart City Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) highlights its commitment to infrastructural development and housing for all. As the state continues to work towards completing its ongoing projects, the residents stand to benefit from improved urban planning, enhanced housing facilities, and an overall upliftment in their quality of life.

For those looking for investment opportunities, Bihar's infrastructural growth presents promising prospects. Similarly Ready to Move office Space in Noida and are also becoming attractive investment options due to the rapid urbanization and development efforts across the country. Whether in Bihar or Noida, the real estate sector is witnessing transformative changes, making it an ideal time for investors and homebuyers alike.


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