The Odisha government has constructed 10 lakh pucca houses under various rural housing schemes in past two years. Formally dedicating the houses at a function in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the project as an unique achievement in the entire country and said the government will construct 16 lakh more houses in the next three years.
Stating that converting one million kutcha houses to pucca houses, chief minister Naveen said cyclone Phailin in 2013 and super cyclone in 1999 had prompted him to launch this project aimed at providing safe and secure houses to 50 lakh people of the state.
During the 2015-16 fiscal, the share of Odisha was 32 per cent in the houses completed in the entire country under the Indira Awas Yojana. Claiming the Odisha has become a role model for other states for its excellence in rural housing sector, the government claims a special focus was given on destitute, widows, minorities and vulnerable tribal groups.