“Goa’s Housing for All initiative under PMAY has made significant strides, with 250 of 254 planned homes completed, offering affordable living to rural families. Despite high construction costs, the state aims to finish the project soon, backed by ₹3.4 crore in funding, improving living conditions for beneficiaries like Mathura Vithal Desai.”
Goa Advances Affordable Housing with PMAY Milestone
The Goa government has made remarkable progress in its Housing for All initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), completing 250 out of a targeted 254 homes for eligible rural beneficiaries, according to state officials. This ambitious project, aimed at providing affordable housing to economically weaker sections, has been implemented at a cost of ₹3.4 crore, with the remaining four houses slated for completion within the next two to three months.
The PMAY scheme, a flagship program of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is designed to ensure affordable housing for all eligible rural households. In Goa, the state government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has navigated challenges such as higher construction costs compared to other states. Despite these hurdles, the project has progressed steadily, with 60% of the funding provided by the central government and 40% contributed by the state.
Beneficiaries like Mathura Vithal Desai from Advalpal village in Bicholim taluka, North Goa, have expressed gratitude for the scheme. Desai, whose home required urgent repairs, benefited from the financial support provided under PMAY, supplementing it with personal savings to complete construction. Similarly, Rohini Rohidas Kuttikar from Odlebhat near Panaji highlighted how the scheme enabled her family to build a stable home, significantly improving their quality of life.
An official from the state government emphasized the need for increased funding under PMAY, noting that constructing a 50-square-meter house in Goa requires a minimum of ₹10–15 lakh due to elevated material and labor costs. To ensure the scheme’s continued success, the state has conducted a survey to identify eligible beneficiaries for the current financial year, aiming to expand coverage and address housing needs systematically.
In addition to PMAY, the Goa Budget 2025-26, presented by Chief Minister Sawant, proposed an affordable housing policy through the Goa Housing Board. This policy includes ₹5 crore allocated for slum redevelopment and an amnesty scheme to facilitate penalty-free property transfers. The state is also exploring public-private partnerships with organizations like the National Association of Real Estate Developers Council (NAREDCO) Maharashtra to boost housing development.
Goa’s real estate market has seen a shift in recent years, with rising demand for luxury properties in quieter villages like Moira and Aldona, as noted in a recent industry presentation by Sadashiv Gaonkar, a housing engineer at the Goa Housing Board. However, the focus on affordable housing remains critical to addressing the needs of rural and low-income families. The state’s efforts under PMAY and the proposed housing policy signal a commitment to balancing luxury development with inclusive growth.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Goa faces a water crisis exacerbated by unchecked development, with the Town and Country Planning department approving projects without assessing water availability. This raises concerns about the sustainability of housing initiatives in the long term, particularly as rapid urbanization and tourism strain the state’s infrastructure.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, official statements, and industry insights. Information is sourced from credible outlets like Business Standard, Hindustan Times, and Times of India. Readers are advised to verify details with official government sources for the latest updates.