Modi declares 'April 2019-March 2020' as Construction-Technology year

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday declared 'April 2019-March 2020' as Construction-Technology year and stressed on use of advanced technology to meet the increasing demand of housing in the country caused by rapid urbanisation.

He also sought the support of private sector in fulfilling the government's mission of providing brick house to every Indian by 2022.

At the inauguration of the Construction Technology India-2019 Expo-cum-conference here, the Prime Minister said his government has given a major thrust on affordable housing, brought changes in laws governing the real estate sector, while developing skills and improving technology for it.

The NDA government has built 1.3 crore houses as compared to "only 25 lakh" houses built during the previous dispensation, Modi said. "The numbers speak for themselves. This shows how serious we are about our commitment in fulfilling the poor and middle-class people's dream to have a house of their own." "We are also ensuring that the houses have water, power and Ujjwala connections (LPG) along with other facilities. The quality of houses and spaces have also improved in the last four-and-half years but more is to be done. For that, I seek the support of the private sector... Let us work together... and do something that helps the poor," he said.

Modi said his government has worked with a holistic approach keeping in mind the challenges of building houses in varied geographical conditions of the country and several key decisions were taken keeping in mind the problems faced by builders and buyers.

"India is among the few countries where demand for houses is increasing at a rapid pace. To fulfil this demand using advanced technology in the construction sector, I announce April 2019-March 2022 as Construction-Technology year," he said.

Asking the stakeholder to give the housing sector a new pace by using the latest technologies available in the world, Modi said the government was keen on engaging with all stakeholders to understand their suggestions and work towards making the housing sector more vibrant.

"A house is not only about four walls. It is a place where one gets the power to dream and aspirations are fulfilled. A home is much about dignity and security as it is about a shelter. It always shocks and saddens me that in a nation like ours, several people do not have their own home. We have been working to solve this in the form of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). It is my dream that every Indian has a brick house by 2022," the Prime Minister said.

Asserting that with the country's fast urbanisation, the need for more houses is being felt, he said to meet the demand and to transform the housing sector, his government has implemented programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, National Urban Livelihoods Mission, HRIDAY, AMRUT and Smart Cities.