Housing for all: an Indian perspective

The pace of urbanization in India is set to accelerate due to migration of people from rural to urban areas, natural increase and inclusion of new areas under ‘Urban’. The total population of India of 361.1 million in 1951 has grown to 121 0.2 million in 2011 i.e. 3.4 times growth during the last six decades. During the same period, the urban population of India has increased from 62.4 million to 377.1 million in 2011 which is a sixfold increase and contributing to 60 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of India. In another two decades, urban population is estimated to be 600 million that will contribute to 70-75 per cent of the GDP and 70 per centne w jobs are likely to be created in urban India. In India, housing plays a significant role, as it is the second employment generator after agriculture. Housing ranks fourth in terms of the multiplier effect on the economy; third among the fourteen major industries in terms of total linkage effect. Housing sector has strong backward and forward linkages supporting more than 250 ancillary industries. The Technical Group on Urban Housing Shortage of the Government of India has projected the total housing shortage of 20 million units; majority (96%) pertaining to Economically Weaker Section (E WS) and Lo w Income Group (LIG) categories. A house is an economic asset and contributes to upward social mobility with salutary impact on health and education. The tangible and intangible benefits flowing from a permanent house are numerous and invaluable to both family and local economy. The Government has recently launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Housing for All (Urban) by 2022 Mission. Every family will have a permanent house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24x7 electricity supply and access.