CM Chandrababu Naidu Launches 3 Lakh Homes for Andhra’s Poor
In a landmark event underscoring a deep commitment to social welfare, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu today virtually inaugurated and handed over three lakh newly constructed houses to beneficiaries across the state. This monumental effort, completed under the ‘House for All’ scheme, marks a major milestone in providing permanent, safe homes to citizens from economically weaker sections. The massive house-warming ceremony, known locally as Gruha Pravesham, was launched by the Chief Minister from Devagudipalli village in Rayachoti mandal, Annamayya district, connecting instantly with countless families embarking on a new chapter in life.
The achievement of completing 3,00,192 houses within a short 17-month period demonstrates the focused execution of the present state government’s election promise. The houses, built under various components of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and other state initiatives, are a tangible representation of the government’s priority: ensuring shelter for every poor family. This initiative is about more than just construction; it is about restoring dignity, security, and a foundation for a better future for lakhs of people.
Crucially, the government’s people-friendly policies played a vital role in speeding up the construction process. A noteworthy policy was the provision of nearly 20 tonnes of sand free of cost to each beneficiary. This significant reduction in material expenses not only eased the financial burden on the families but also accelerated the completion of the projects. It shows a thoughtful approach to execution, overcoming common hurdles in large-scale public works.
Addressing a public gathering following the virtual handover, the Chief Minister emphasized the alliance government’s unwavering dedication to the poor. He highlighted the extensive historical context, mentioning that over eight lakh houses were constructed during the previous tenure of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since 2014. The Chief Minister also touched upon the challenges faced, noting that his administration successfully revived housing projects that were allegedly stalled by the preceding government. This included clearing significant pending payments to beneficiaries and completing the construction of over 4.73 lakh sanctioned houses that had previously been cancelled.
The sheer scale of today’s event is unprecedented, with Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and officials participating in simultaneous house-warming ceremonies in their respective constituencies across all districts. The beneficiaries received their keys, along with energy-saving materials, symbolizing a shift towards a modern and sustainable lifestyle. In addition to the constructed houses, the Chief Minister also issued permits to certain beneficiaries, allowing them to construct homes on their own plots with government assistance.
Looking ahead, the government announced further support to ensure the completion of houses for all eligible citizens. This includes financial assistance for approximately six lakh people who could not finish construction earlier. The government detailed a plan to benefit over 3.73 lakh Backward Class (BC), 1.57 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC), 46,000 Scheduled Tribe (ST), and 22,000 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) families, with a substantial financial outlay to realize their dream of homeownership. The government has also promised to equip the new settlements with essential basic amenities, including drinking water, electricity, drainage, roads, gas, solar power, and internet access, ensuring a holistic living environment for the new homeowners.
This grand Gruha Pravesham ceremony is a powerful statement of the government’s resolve to fulfill its promises and empower the less privileged. It signals a robust revival of welfare initiatives, cementing the belief that for the alliance government, providing a roof over every head remains the highest priority. The keys handed over today represent not just houses, but a new dawn of hope and stability for lakhs of families across Andhra Pradesh.
