Patna: The Bihar government has approved a target of constructing 11,28,937 new permanent houses for needy families in the state during 2026-27, in a major expansion of its rural housing programme.
The announcement was made at a state-level event organised by the Rural Development Department at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on Thursday. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the event as chief guest, alongside Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar.
During the programme, Choudhary handed over house keys to existing beneficiaries and sanction letters to families newly selected for housing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Thousands of beneficiaries and officials from districts across Bihar joined the event through video conferencing, while a large number of beneficiaries, public representatives and officials attended in Patna.
2.35 lakh completed homes
A Grih Pravesh, or house-warming ceremony, was held for 2.35 lakh houses completed under the scheme. Keys to the newly completed homes were symbolically handed over to selected beneficiary families on the stage.
The newly selected beneficiaries were also issued sanction letters for financial assistance, allowing them to begin construction of their permanent homes.
The government said the housing programme is aimed at helping eligible rural families currently living in kutcha or temporary houses.
Choudhary highlights pending housing demand
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the programme marked an important day for Bihar and credited the central government with expanding support for rural housing.
Choudhary said that when he met Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he had raised the issue of 19 lakh pending permanent houses in Bihar and sought assistance for families still awaiting homes.
He said the government would now undertake the construction of permanent houses for 11,28,937 needy families during 2026-27.
“For a poor person, the biggest concern is where to shelter their family,” Choudhary said. He added that receiving the keys to a permanent home not only provides security but also strengthens people’s trust in the government.
Housing assistance under PMAY
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, eligible rural families receive prescribed financial assistance to construct permanent homes.
The government said the newly approved target would help families move from temporary housing into permanent structures and is part of its wider rural development agenda.
Choudhary also urged the Union rural development minister to continue supporting Bihar’s efforts to improve infrastructure and living conditions in rural areas.
The event brought together beneficiaries from across the state and highlighted both completed housing projects and the next phase of construction under the rural housing programme.
