SURAT – The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has announced plans to build 2,388 flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in Jahangirpura, Vesu, Dindoli, and Bhimrad areas of the city. The announcement has been met with a surge in demand for housing, with long queues forming outside banks as people rush to collect housing forms.
The SMC has earmarked a provision of over Rs 15,000 crore in its 2022-23 budget for the construction of over 15,000 housing units. Under various schemes, the SMC has already allotted houses to thousands of homeless individuals and families. The latest announcement of building 2,388 flats has further raised hopes among those seeking affordable housing.
On the first day of form distribution, there was a massive rush at banks as people lined up to collect housing forms. Under the PMAY scheme, the SMC will construct 928 housing units in Suman Smit in Bhimrad, 63 in Suman Nupur in Dindoli, 540 in Suman Shilpa on Vesu Canal Road, and 808 housing units in Suman Maitri in Jahangirpura.
The price of each flat, measuring 36 square meters, has been fixed at Rs 5.50 lakh, with a deposit of Rs 50,000 required. The SMC has started distributing forms for beneficiaries with an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh. The last date for receiving forms is December 31st.
The SMC’s initiative to provide affordable housing under the PMAY scheme has been welcomed by residents of Surat. The long queues outside banks are a testament to the high demand for housing in the city. The SMC is hopeful that the construction of these flats will address the housing needs of a significant portion of the population.
