–Minister Tokhan Sahu Briefs PM on MoHUA Progress and Chhattisgarh’s Development Needs
–Calls for Streamlined Policies to Tackle Urban Sprawl and Land Rights Issues in Chhattisgarh
New Delhi, 30 July 2025/ Tokhan Sahu, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today in New Delhi. He congratulated the Prime Minister on the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a significant counterterrorism operation aimed at neutralizing terrorist threats. He further lauded the Prime Minister’s decisive leadership and the nation’s resolute determination to confront terrorism head-on, emphasising that operations like Operation Sindoor are a testament to India’s strong zero tolerance stance against terrorism and safeguarding national sovereignty.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Shri Sahu to update the Prime Minister on key developments in the housing and urban sectors, as well as to discuss the current state of affairs in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Shri Sahu briefed the Prime Minister on the ongoing progress in various housing and urban development projects under MoHUA, highlighting significant achievements in the sector. The Minister also shared insights into the challenges faced in the implementation of key initiatives and proposed strategies to address these issues.
Shri Sahu stressed that urban sprawl remains a major challenge across the country. He proposed promoting mixed-use development and curbing the privatization of cars as private transport to limit the expansion of cities. “The focus would be on enhancing transit-oriented development (TOD), which integrates residential, commercial, and public transport systems to reduce reliance on private cars. Research indicates TOD can reduce car usage by 20-50%, and thus help in reducing urban congestion and promoting sustainable urban growth.” said Shri Sahu.
During the meeting the integration of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana with PMAY was also discussed. Shri Sahu proposed that this scheme, which provides free electricity to residents, be extended to all houses built under PMAY. This would not only reduce electricity transmission costs but also contribute to sustainable urban development. The proposal would also facilitate easier access to small-scale government-subsidized loans, benefiting families by making their homes more energy-efficient and contributing to carbon emission reduction.
Shri Sahu also briefed the Prime Minister on the current situation in Chhattisgarh, discussing regional challenges, socio-economic development, and the state government’s cooperation with the Centre in implementing key urban initiatives.
One of the key points discussed was the ongoing challenge in habitats adjoining ‘“Bade Jhaad ka Jungle”, where communities have been residing for two to three generations.This creates a significant hurdle for PMAY beneficiaries, as they cannot establish legal ownership, and long-term residents are often considered encroachers, raising the risk of eviction.These areas often lack essential infrastructure like water, electricity, and sanitation, as their forest status relegates them to a lower priority for urban development. In states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, such land disputes have caused tensions between marginalized communities and state authorities.
Shri Sahu emphasized that the recent amendments to the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, which grant legal ownership to residents of forest land, will enable them to access PMAY benefits. He called for better coordination between forest and urban development agencies to manage non-critical forest land, along with simplified documentation and supplementary afforestation to streamline the development process.
The meeting was marked by a constructive exchange of ideas, with the Prime Minister offering guidance and support for addressing the challenges and the continued development of housing and urban infrastructure in the country to enhance the quality of urban life, reduce disparities, and ensure that no citizen is left behind.
Shri Sahu expressed deep appreciation to the Prime Minister for his visionary leadership and the government’s relentless commitment to transforming India’s urban landscape, acknowledging the Prime Minister’s pivotal role in advancing the core values of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas,” which fosters inclusive growth, and ensures that every citizen, regardless of background, benefits from the nation’s progress.
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