Bhubaneswar, 5 October 2026: Every reform on paper becomes a roof over someone’s head, and on World Habitat Day, the nation recognised that impact in Odisha. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, has conferred Special Recognition on Odisha as the “State with Highest number of Reforms achieved in PMAY-U 2.0” under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Awards 2026. Hon’ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, presented the honour in New Delhi.
Celebrating this achievement, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing & Urban Development, Odisha, said: “This recognition is a proud moment for Odisha and a testament to the collective efforts of our officials, Urban Local Bodies and every stakeholder working towards strengthening urban housing delivery. Being recognised for achieving the highest number of reforms under PMAY-U 2.0 reflects our commitment to building a more efficient, transparent and people-centric housing system. This achievement inspires us to move forward with greater resolve towards the vision of ‘Housing for All’ and ensure that every eligible urban household has access to a dignified, secure and safe home.”
Odisha has demonstrated that bold institutional reforms and efficient delivery can go hand in hand. Under PMAY-U 2.0, 24,625 houses have been sanctioned in the State, while Odisha held the No. 1 position nationally in house completions from March 2025 to March 2026. This achievement builds on Odisha’s continued efforts to strengthen urban housing delivery and is part of the larger national mission of providing dignified homes to families across the country.
The award was received on behalf of the State by BMC Commissioner Shri Chanchal Rana and Additional Secretary-cum-Director, Odisha Urban Housing Mission, Shri Subhananda Mohapatra.
This honour belongs to every official, Urban Local Body and beneficiary family whose collective efforts have helped translate reforms into tangible outcomes on the ground. Odisha now carries this momentum forward with a clear goal: no eligible urban household should be left without a safe and secure place to call home.
The recognition reflects Odisha’s unwavering resolve to shape inclusive, resilient and liveable cities where every citizen can aspire to a better quality of life. It marks another step towards a Viksit Odisha, while contributing to the larger national aspiration of building a Viksit Bharat—an inclusive, prosperous and self-reliant India.
