Previously, the state had 16 separate land use categories, which caused overlapping regulations and administrative challenges. Senior officials conducted research on best practices in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana before recommending a cohesive zoning framework. Suresh Kumar, a senior official, emphasized that a unified approach will replace fragmented rules and simplify compliance.

The government noted that past master plans often showed land use zones inconsistently. Different zoning regulations across master plans created difficulties for the public, licensed technical personnel, and implementing agencies. The inconsistent rules complicated understanding and application of land use norms.

Currently, building permissions are issued through the Online Building Permission System (OBPS). Officials stated that it is difficult to customize all zoning regulations on a single platform. The unified zoning policy will allow automated, consistent application of rules, reducing manual interpretation and interventions while streamlining urban planning across the state.

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Construction of about 75 percent of the sanctioned houses has been completed. Most states have achieved 75 percent progress, while some, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana, lag below 60 percent, said Dr Soumya Kanti Ghosh, SBI’s Group Chief Economic Advisor.

PMAY-U 2.0, launched on September 1, 2024, provides Central Assistance to one crore eligible urban families. The scheme targets EWS, LIG, and MIG families without a pucca house, allowing them to purchase or construct homes. Housing benefits are widely distributed across states, including low-income regions.

The report highlighted positive impacts on household spending. Debit card usage increased among low-income households, reflecting financial freedom through subsidised housing loans. Women borrowers showed higher discretionary spending via UPI. Urban and semi-urban areas experienced a rise in digital transactions after PMAY instalments were disbursed.

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