Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Odisha has earned national recognition for its reform-driven approach to urban housing, receiving a Special Recognition Award from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for carrying out the highest number of reforms under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0.
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The award was presented in New Delhi on Monday during the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban Awards 2026, acknowledging the state’s efforts to make the implementation of the urban housing scheme more efficient, transparent and citizen-focused.
Focus on Faster and Transparent Housing Delivery
According to MoHUA, Odisha introduced a series of reforms under PMAY-U 2.0 to improve administrative processes, strengthen coordination between implementing agencies and make greater use of technology.
The reforms are aimed at simplifying the delivery mechanism and ensuring that eligible urban families can access housing assistance with fewer procedural hurdles.
The ministry also highlighted the state’s efforts to create a more streamlined and citizen-centric system for implementing the housing programme.
Minister Credits Collective Government Effort
Welcoming the recognition, Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the award reflected the combined efforts of government officials, Urban Local Bodies and agencies involved in implementing PMAY-U 2.0.
He stressed that the government’s objective extends beyond merely constructing houses and includes ensuring that eligible urban families receive safe and dignified homes through a transparent delivery system.
“Our objective is not merely to construct houses, but to ensure that every eligible urban family gets a safe, secure and dignified home through a transparent and citizen-centric system,” Mahapatra said.
Odisha Reaffirms ‘Housing for All’ Commitment
The state government said it would continue to prioritise administrative reforms, faster execution and stronger last-mile delivery under PMAY-U 2.0.
The recognition comes as Odisha seeks to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive housing assistance in a timely and hassle-free manner.
The award has further highlighted Odisha’s reform-oriented approach to urban housing and its contribution to the national objective of ‘Housing for All’.