In a historic moment for housing development in India, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah distributed sanction letters to 20 lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) Phase-2 in Pune, Maharashtra. Alongside this, the first installment was handed over to 10 lakh beneficiaries in the state, marking a significant step in realizing the vision of ‘Housing for All.’ The event witnessed the presence of key leaders, including Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, along with other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah emphasized the unprecedented scale of this housing initiative, attributing its success to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He highlighted that this is the first time in India’s history that 20 lakh homes are being allocated simultaneously. Additionally, Maharashtra has received the highest number of homes under Phase-2 of PMAY-G, reinforcing the government’s commitment to uplifting the economically weaker sections of society.
Shri Shah outlined the holistic benefits that come with the new homes, including access to toilets, solar panels, and gas cylinders, ensuring that beneficiaries receive not just shelter but also dignity and self-reliance. He reiterated that Prime Minister Modi has set an ambitious target of making India a developed nation by 2047, with affordable housing being a crucial part of this vision. So far, 3 crore 80 lakh homes have already been provided under the government’s goal of delivering 5 crore houses to women, backward classes, SC, ST, and other marginalized communities by 2029.
The Home Minister underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring basic infrastructural facilities for all, noting that initiatives such as the distribution of 5 kg of free food grains per person per month, construction of 13 crore toilets, and the provision of 36 crore Ayushman Bharat health cards have played a crucial role in improving the quality of life for millions. Additionally, over 1 crore women have been empowered under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, fostering financial independence among the underprivileged.
He also shed light on Maharashtra’s development under the leadership of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Shri Eknath Shinde, and Shri Ajit Pawar. Significant progress has been made in key infrastructure projects, including irrigation initiatives to combat droughts, the launch of 11 Vande Bharat trains, and the redevelopment of 128 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. Metro projects in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur are advancing at a rapid pace, while new airports in Shirdi and Sindhudurg are set to boost connectivity.
One of the major highlights of Maharashtra’s development roadmap is the Atal Setu Trans-Harbour Link, which Shri Shah described as an engineering marvel that will set a global benchmark. Additionally, India’s largest and the world’s biggest container port is being developed in Maharashtra with an estimated investment of ₹76,000 crore, further solidifying the state’s position as a key player in the nation’s economic growth.
The event in Pune not only marked a major milestone in India’s housing development but also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to social welfare and infrastructure growth. As millions of families take a step closer to owning a home, the initiative stands as a testament to the transformative policies aimed at inclusive progress and development.
