Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: In a landmark milestone for inclusive urban development, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) successfully allotted 176 houses under the Affordable Housing Scheme (AHS-AWAS) at Budha Bihar Housing Project, officials said on Wednesday.

The fair and transparent process was conducted via lottery in the presence of the BMC Mayor Sulochana Das and Commissioner Chanchal Rana.

ବିଏମ୍ ସି ପକ୍ଷରୁ 176 ଜଣ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ହିତାଧିକାରୀଙ୍କୁ ଆବଣ୍ଟନ କରାଗଲା ସୁଲଭ ପକ୍କା ଘର ।
ଏହି ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଏକ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ମାନନୀୟା ମେୟର ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସୁଲୋଚନା ଦାସ @MayorofBBSR, କମିଶନର ଶ୍ରୀ ଚଞ୍ଚଳ ରାଣା ଙ୍କ ଉପସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଆବାସ ଗୃହ ଆବଣ୍ଟନ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଯାଇଛି l ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳ ବସ୍ତିରେ ରହୁଥିବା 176 ଜଣ… pic.twitter.com/ssXLoWUeUw

— BMC (@bmcbbsr) August 5, 2025

The beneficiaries, hailing from slums such as Venkateswar Basti, Mahavir Basti (TTS), Tarini Basti, Panabaraj Basti, Nicco Park Basti, and BDA settlements, were visibly emotional as they received the keys to their new homes. Special care was taken to cluster individuals from the same basti in nearby blocks to preserve social bonds and community ties.

Notably, out of the 176 beneficiaries, 25 physically challenged individuals were allocated ground floor residences in a unanimous decision, reinforcing the government’s commitment to equitable access.

 “The State government is quite considerate to make our allotment on the ground floor. I am touched,” said one beneficiary, expressing gratitude.

To streamline relocation, BMC invited representatives from various departments—electricity, civil supplies, LPG, education, and revenue—ensuring that services such as ration card updates, school transfers, power connections, and bank linkage could begin swiftly. Commissioner Rana emphasized that the allotment was only the first step in full settlement and integration.

This holistic approach earned appreciation from the community, setting an example of convergence-based governance. As of now, over 3,760 EWS beneficiaries have received homes under BMC’s various housing initiatives.

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