Baramulla, September 25, 2025 – In a significant step towards realising the vision of “Housing for All,” Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, handed over house keys to several eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme. The event, part of the ongoing Sewa Parv initiative, enabled families to step into their new homes, marking a milestone in affordable urban housing in the region.
The key handover ceremony took place amid enthusiastic participation from local residents and officials at Dak Bungalow in Baramulla. Photographs from the event capture DC Sherpa, dressed in a formal black vest and glasses, presenting large symbolic orange keys inscribed with “Ghar Pravesh” (house entry) and details of the PMAY-U scheme to smiling beneficiaries. The backdrop featured red tents, banners from Municipal Council (MC) Pattan and Tehsil Pattan, and a prominent sign announcing the “Inauguration of Angikaar 2025,” highlighting the community outreach component of the housing program. Surrounded by a crowd of men in traditional and casual attire, the atmosphere reflected communal joy and government commitment to welfare.This distribution aligns with the broader goals of PMAY-U, a flagship program launched by the Government of India in 2015 to provide pucca houses to urban poor families by 2027. Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive financial assistance for house construction or purchase, targeting economically weaker sections, low-income groups, and middle-income groups. In Baramulla, progress under PMAY-U has been notable, with earlier reviews indicating that 70% of targeted urban houses were completed by April 2025.
The recent event builds on this momentum, focusing on direct beneficiary engagement through initiatives like Angikaar Abhiyan, which promotes awareness about sustainable living, waste management, and water conservation in new housing colonies.As part of the day’s activities under PMAY Urban Mela (fair), DC Sherpa, accompanied by senior officers including the Conservator of Forests North, inaugurated the mela to spread awareness about various government schemes.
Stalls set up by different departments offered on-spot services and information on welfare programs, drawing crowds eager to learn about opportunities in housing, employment, and allied sectors.
Earlier in the morning, a “Run for Housing” event organized by the Department of School Education was flagged off by the DC from HS Dewanbagh to Dak Bungalow, promoting community involvement in the housing mission.
Speaking at the event, DC Sherpa emphasised the transformative impact of PMAY-U, stating that it not only provides shelter but also empowers families to build better futures. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Jammu and Kashmir, and local administration, ensuring seamless implementation.Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, noting that the scheme has turned their long-held dreams of homeownership into reality. One recipient shared, “This key opens the door to stability for my family after years of uncertainty.”The Sewa Parv celebrations in Baramulla continue to highlight government efforts in urban development, with similar events reported in nearby districts like Srinagar, where keys were distributed under PMAY-U just a day prior.
Officials anticipate more such distributions in the coming months as Jammu and Kashmir accelerates its PMAY targets.
