In the wake of the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is poised to address the issue of vacant housing units within its ambit. With more than 12,000 flats remaining unoccupied in sectors 12, 30, and 32 of the Walhekarwadi area, the authority has announced plans to conduct a new lottery to allocate these homes. This move is expected to follow a series of earlier efforts to find occupants for these residential units.
The PMRDA had previously undertaken the construction of 798 homes in sectors 30 and 32, targeting economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) citizens. This project comprised 378 one-room kitchen flats for EWS and 414 one-bedroom flats for LIG residents. Despite earlier lotteries, a significant portion of these units remains unoccupied, with only 115 full payments received and 36 families having taken possession before the election code of conduct was enforced.
Sector 12 saw a larger scale development under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with 4,883 houses constructed in the first phase. This included 3,317 flats designated for EWS and 1,566 for LIG citizens. While all one-bedroom flats for EWS were successfully allocated, a substantial number of two-bedroom flats for LIG remain unclaimed.
Housing experts have expressed skepticism regarding the upcoming lotteries, questioning whether they will attract the necessary interest from potential buyers. The PMRDA, however, is optimistic, planning to hold the next round of lotteries by the end of the month. Should these efforts fail to generate adequate demand, the remaining units will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Preparations for these lotteries are currently underway, marking the third attempt to fill these vacant homes. The PMRDA’s strategy reflects a broader challenge within the urban housing sector: aligning the availability of affordable housing with the actual demand and needs of the population.
This renewed push to fill vacant flats highlights the ongoing struggle to bridge the gap between housing supply and demand in the Pune metropolitan region. The authority’s commitment to resolving this issue is evident, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will translate into successful occupancy and provide much-needed relief to the city’s lower-income residents.
The outcome of this initiative will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for similar housing projects across the country, aiming to balance affordability with accessibility in India’s rapidly urbanising landscape.
