Bringing investment in urban housing to ₹10 lakh crore under PM AWAS Yojana Urban 2.0 is a quantum jump seen in the nation’s response towards its urban housing crisis. A commitment of this magnitude for one crore families exhibits that the Centre is serious about making urban development inclusive. The contribution by Centre, which will be ₹2.2 lakh crore over a period of five years, gives financial muscle to the scheme. This huge investment is most likely to have far-reaching effects beyond the simple provision of housing. It could stimulate the construction sector, create millions of jobs, and boost allied industries. What’s more, along with mixing poor and middle-class families, the scheme recognizes the variety of housing needs across the socio-economic spectrum in urban India. Such an approach could usefully contribute to the reduction of inequality within cities and improve living conditions within India’s fast-growing towns.
