How Has PMAY(U) Changed Lives in 10 Years?

New Delhi, June 25 (NationPress) As the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), or PMAY(U), marks its 10th anniversary since its inception in June 2015, beneficiaries from various regions in India—from Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, Saharanpur, and Mainpuri to Chhattisgarh's Jashpur and Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur—are expressing profound gratitude to the Union government for making their long-held aspiration of owning a home a reality.

The initiative, designed to provide affordable pucca houses to the urban underprivileged, has significantly enhanced living conditions and elevated the dignity and morale of countless Indians.

In Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, beneficiary Kusum Gupta shared her experience, mentioning that with a financial aid of Rs 2.5 lakh received in three phases, she constructed her own house.

Reflecting on her previous struggles in a kutcha house and rented spaces, she remarked, “In the past, we were always under the threat of eviction. However, after I learned about the PMAY(U) application process and started receiving financial support, we now live peacefully in our own home.”

She continued, “For years, we paid rent and lived with constant anxiety; now, it feels like a blessing. Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We hope to see him in office again so that more individuals can benefit from this initiative.”

Rajwati, another local resident, echoed similar thoughts, stating, “We have benefitted from almost every government scheme—Ayushman Card, gas cylinders, and now a house.” She received free eye treatment under Ayushman Bharat and now enjoys a pucca home through PMAY.

“Previously, we faced constant conflicts in rental homes. Now, we live in our own space in harmony. It’s like starting anew,” she added.

In Ballia, Bechan, a resident of Rajput Nevri Bhrigu Ashram, commended the PMAY(U) scheme, sharing how he transitioned from a thatched roof to a pucca home with the financial support provided under the scheme three years ago.

“This is a fantastic initiative by the Prime Minister. We are benefiting from every scheme he has launched,” he expressed.

Similarly, Parvati Devi, another local, shared her gratitude: “In the past, the monsoons were terrifying. Now we feel secure.”

In Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, the government’s inclusive strategy has ensured that PMAY(U) reaches every segment of society—irrespective of caste, creed, or social background. Individuals who once inhabited mud huts now enjoy stable, pucca homes.

“I extend my thanks to the Modi government for this remarkable scheme. It has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of homeownership,” said beneficiary Ian Bite.

In Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, the scheme has instigated a remarkable transformation. Residents of Bagicha Nagar Panchayat, including Sunil Ram, Budheshwar Sahu, Savitri Bai, and Phulsai Baiga, now reside in pucca homes, moving away from their vulnerable kutcha shelters.

“The rainy season once flooded our homes. It was a challenge to keep even the basic possessions secure,” recounted Gutaram, who previously lived in a straw and mud hut. “Now, with a proper concrete house, it feels like a dream realized. We are finally living with dignity.”

Residents note that their overall quality of life—including health, safety, and educational prospects for children—has significantly improved.

Likewise, Burhanpur district has experienced a visible change under PMAY(U). Once characterized by slums and temporary dwellings, the city now features organized colonies with over 1,470 pucca homes constructed in Chinchala Mohalla, Ward No. 48 of the Lalbagh area.

“During monsoons, our homes would flood, walls were damp, and children struggled to study. Now, life is considerably more stable,” described a local resident.

The scheme’s participatory model allowed beneficiaries to engage in constructing their own homes, fostering a sense of ownership and pride, particularly among women who played active roles in the process.

“PMAY has not only provided us with homes, but it has also restored our self-respect,” stated Vinayak Shivhare, a beneficiary.

“Previously, we faced numerous challenges, but now we possess a place we can truly call our own.”

Another beneficiary, Bharat Rajpur, expressed, “This scheme has genuinely realized our dreams. Thank you, PM Modi.”

On June 18, during the third meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) led by Secretary Srinivas Katikithala from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Centre sanctioned the construction of 2.35 lakh houses under PMAY-U 2.0.

Implemented through four verticals—Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH), and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS)—PMAY-U 2.0 aims to provide an additional 1 crore homes to urban families. The houses approved in the recent CSMC meeting fall under BLC and AHP.

To date, 7.09 lakh homes have been approved under PMAY-U 2.0. The scheme offers up to Rs 2.5 lakh central assistance per housing unit. Only families without ownership of a pucca house anywhere in India can benefit.

With over 93.19 lakh homes already constructed under the original PMAY(U), the launch of PMAY-U 2.0 is poised to extend the reach, particularly for families in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Lower Income Group (LIG), and Middle Income Group (MIG) categories.

Since its launch in 2015, PMAY(U) has revolutionized the urban housing sector in India. More than just a real estate initiative, the scheme is perceived as a social revolution that delivers not only physical infrastructure but also reinstates dignity and enhances socio-economic conditions.

The direct participation model has empowered citizens to be co-creators of their homes, promoting self-reliance. Women, in particular, have emerged as pivotal stakeholders—many properties are registered in their names, reinforcing gender empowerment.

As the scheme embarks on its next phase with PMAY-U 2.0, millions more are on the verge of experiencing the joy of homeownership.

For families across India, the PMAY(U) has transcended being merely a housing scheme; it represents a pathway to stability, security, and dignity. The journey from enduring the indignity of rental homes and makeshift huts to attaining ownership of safe, clean, and solid homes has been transformative.