Lok Sabha Question No. 3325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Sustainable and Disaster Resilient Housing Initiative
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3325

## TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 12, 2026

## SUSTAINABLE AND DISASTER RESILIENT HOUSING INITIATIVE

NO. 3325.   SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  considered  adoption  of  modular  and composite construction systems using lighter structural materials under sustainable and disaster-resilient housing initiatives;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  Government's  evaluation  regarding  long-term durability, environmental benefits, seismic and flood resistance, thermal performance and cost-efficiency before recommending wider deployment within Government housing programmes; and
- (c) whether the Government intends to implement demonstration projects in disaster-prone or environmentally sensitive regions using such construction approaches, supported by monitoring frameworks ensuring occupant  safety,  structural  stability  and  large-scale  scalability  under Government oversight and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) to (c): Ministry of Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA)  has  been implementing  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  -  Urban  (PMAY-U)  since 25.06.2015 with an aim to provide all weather pucca houses with basic civic amenities to all eligible urban beneficiaries across the country. The scheme period of PMAY-U has also been extended up to 30 th  September 2026 for completion of under-construction houses and release of funds through SNA-SPARSH module.

Based on the learnings from the experiences of implementation of PMAYU, MoHUA has revamped the scheme and launched PMAY-U 2.0 'Housing for All' Mission with effect from 01.09.2024 for implementation in urban areas across the country to construct, purchase and rent a house by 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries at affordable cost in next five years. PMAY-U 2.0  is  implemented  through  four  verticals  i.e.,  Beneficiary  Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS).

The Technology Sub-Mission (TSM) under PMAY-U supports States/Union Territories  (UTs)  in  adopting  modern,  innovative,  green  and  alternative construction  technologies  for  faster  and  quality  housing.  Under  TSM, Global Housing Technology Challenge - India (GHTC-India) was organized to identify and mainstream globally proven, sustainable, disaster-resilient and  prefabricated construction technologies. A total of  54  proven technologies from across the world were shortlisted and grouped into six categories  based  on  geo-climatic  regions  for  adoption  by  States/UTs, which are available at  www.ghtc-india.gov.in. These  technologies were approved by the Technical Assessment Committee and are time-tested. In addition,  following  activities  have  been  undertaken  under  TSM  for promoting energy efficient designs, climate resilient, modern, innovative and green technology for faster and quality construction of houses:

- (i) Six Light House Projects (LHPs) using six distinct technologies shortlisted under  GHTC-India  are  constructed  at  six  places  in  the  country.  These projects  mark  a  significant  advancement  in  the  Indian  Government's endeavour to address urban housing shortages by adopting sustainable and disaster-resilient technologies.
- (ii) 13  Demonstration  Housing  projects  (DHPs)  using  new  technologies  are built  in  different  part  of  the  country  to  showcase  innovative  and  ecofriendly  technology  and  energy-efficient  materials  to  States/UTs  and disseminating technical awareness among professionals.
- (iii) An online course named NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing) has been started to enhance the  capability  of  building  professionals  about  the  new  and  emerging building materials, technologies and processes for construction.
- (iv) Indian  Housing  Technology  Mela  (IHTM)  in  2021  was  organized  to showcase the domestic indigenous and innovative technologies, building materials and construction processes for low & medium rise houses. 84 innovative technologies/products/materials were shortlisted under IHTM. In  addition,  under  the  Indian  Urban  Housing  Conclave  2022,  a  National Exhibition on Innovative construction practices was organized to showcase more than 85 innovative construction systems and materials.
- (v) MoHUA in association with GIZ and Building Materials  and  Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) has hosted series of trainings/workshops on Innovative Construction Technologies and Thermal Comfort for Affordable Housing named RACHNA (Resilient, Affordable and Comfortable Housing through  National  Action).  More  than  150  RACHNA  training  programmes across  the  country  have  been  successfully  conducted  across  India, covering over 11,000 stakeholders.

- Performance Appraisal Certification Scheme (PACS) is being operated for Identification,  Evaluation  and  Certification  of  Emerging  Technologies suiting to different geo-climatic conditions of the country, which are safe, sustainable and environment-friendly and ensure faster delivery of quality houses by BMTPC. Under PACS, so far, 88 innovative products and systems
- (vi) have been certified.
- (vii) A series of offsite Workshops/Webinars,  Webcasting, Mentoring on Technical know-how/Modules were organised jointly with State Governments for capacity building and handholding support on innovative construction technologies.
- (viii) Various publications on innovative  construction technologies and other areas  related  to  faster,  eco-friendly,  energy-efficient,  cost  effective, environment friendly, disaster-resistant, sustainable construction system has been made.

Building  upon  progress  of  TSM,  Technology  &  Innovation  Sub-Mission (TISM)  under  PMAY-U  2.0  supports  innovative  design  and  construction practices, promote quality assurance and adopting green building standards for sustainable housing in the country. TISM promotes adoption of layout designs and building plans suitable for various geo-climatic zones through coordination with various regulatory and administrative bodies for mainstreaming  and  upscaling  the  deployment  of  modern  construction technologies and material in place of conventional construction materials practices. Projects under the scheme promotes use of resource efficient, climate responsive, disaster resilient, eco-friendly and sustainable building materials, technologies and processes.

As  per  the  Scheme  Guidelines,  an  additional  grant  in  the  form  of Technology Innovation Grant (TIG) is also provided to AHP projects using innovative construction technologies notified by MoHUA. States/UTs are encouraged to adopt these innovative construction technologies identified by the Ministry as per their local context.

Further, as per PMAY-U 2.0 Guidelines, there is provision to ensure quality of construction under BLC/AHP/ARH verticals of the Mission through Third Party Quality Monitoring Agencies (TPQMA) selected by States/UTs. TPQM Agencies are required to visit the project site and to advise State/UT and

Urban Local Bodies on quality related issues.

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