Govt sets ambitious target of 1.2 million houses under PMAY scheme in FY18

Delay in land acquisition is the main reason behind the laggardly implementation of PMAY

The government has set an ambitious target to construct as many as 1.2 million houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in 2017-18, although only 0.14 million houses were built under the scheme in 2016-17.

According to a senior government official, under PMAY (Urban), the Centre targets construction of 2.6 million houses in 2018-19, 26 lakh in 2019-20, 3 million in 2020-21 and 2.98 million in 2021-22.

The official said the delay in land acquisition is the main reason behind the laggardly implementation of the government's flagship scheme PMAY (Urban).

"So far, the proposal for construction of 1.87 million houses have been sanctioned, and funding for construction of 1.30 million houses has been issued. But, due to delay in land acquisition, only 0.14 million houses have been completed under PMAY (Urban) in 2016-17," the official said.

The government had launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in June 2015, aiming to ensure housing for all by 2022.