Tejas Navale

Pune:The deadline for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has been extended until December 2024, yet Maharashtra struggles to keep pace with the ambitious housing targets set by the state. Reports indicate that work on two lakh houses, slated for this year, has yet to commence. However, authorities in the housing department remain optimistic about completing these houses by the revised deadline.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the Union Housing Ministry has scrutinised Maharashtra's performance in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. While the state's overall performance is deemed satisfactory, concerns arise from outdated information on the program's website. Despite reassurances of improvement, progress has been sluggish over the past six months.

Information from the Central Government's Housing Department reveals that out of 1,632 projects in urban areas across the state, approval has been granted for 13,64,923 houses under the scheme. Of these, work on 11,16,047 houses has commenced, with 8,39,830 houses already completed. However, for the years 2023–24, the state's target stands at 5,97,305 houses, of which only 1,68,187 have been completed and 2,37,678 are in progress. Notably, 1,91,000 houses remain unfinished.

Comparing figures from September 2023, there has been some improvement. At that time, 6,35,041 houses were targeted across 1,495 projects, with 2,32,859 houses yet to begin. Although progress has been made since then, challenges persist in translating sanctioned projects into tangible outcomes.

Many projects face delays or remain incomplete, contributing to the ongoing struggle to meet targets. However, continuous review and intervention have led to a gradual increase in the number of completed houses. The Maharashtra Housing Corporation has been tasked with delivering five lakh houses, indicating a concerted effort to improve performance.