Faced with slow progress on the affordable housing scheme in some states because of unavailability of land, PM Narendra Modi has asked government departments to scout for vacant land in developed government colonies that will make up a "land bank" that states can tap into for new housing, ET reported.
States such as Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi have found it difficult to find land for housing projects. These states would be urged to send housing proposals once packets of land have been identified, thereby speeding up the implementation of the scheme.
Developed government colonies would already have amenities, making the construction approval process even faster, a senior government official told ET.
The move points to an aggressive push by the central government to ensure housing for all by 2022, which is among Modi's key poll promises. The government has already given its nod to the construction of 16.42 lakh affordable houses so far, and housing projects worth Rs 90,000 crores.
Sna