The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has announced plans to construct multi-storey residential buildings in various slum areas of the city under the Indiramma Housing Scheme. The project aims to provide decent and sustainable housing to thousands of slum dwellers who currently lack proper shelter and infrastructure within the urban sprawl.
As part of this ambitious redevelopment initiative, GHMC will construct ground plus three floor housing units in selected slum clusters across the city. The initiative is being planned with an eye on inclusive urban development and community retention, ensuring that beneficiaries are not relocated far from their existing settlements. This approach is expected to minimize social disruption while providing improved amenities. According to GHMC officials, the housing will be developed primarily on government land already located within existing slum settlements. This model allows families who do not possess land ownership to still benefit from secure and permanent housing within their own neighbourhoods. The buildings will be designed in accordance with the Indiramma model, which focuses on affordability, sustainability, and functionality in urban housing.
As the first step in the process, GHMC will carry out a Geographic Information System based survey at five key slum locations, including Saraladevi Nagar in Madannapet, Pilligudiselu in Saidabad, and Ambedkar Nagar in Maredpally. The data gathered from this survey will provide crucial inputs for planning, including site feasibility, population density, and infrastructure needs. To execute this plan effectively, GHMC has issued tenders inviting consultancy firms to assist with various technical aspects of the project. These include preparing detailed project reports, architectural layouts, and cost estimates. Selected consultants will also be responsible for developing appropriate housing typologies that suit the socio economic context of the slum dwellers.
The housing construction under this initiative will be co funded by both the central and state governments. A major portion of the funding will come from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban or PMAY U, which is the central governments flagship scheme for affordable housing. The Telangana government will contribute the remaining share, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on the economically weaker section beneficiaries. Once the GIS mapping and house design plans are finalized, the proposals will be submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval. After receiving the nod from the central authorities, GHMC will initiate the construction phase.
An estimated 10 point 71 lakh people across Hyderabad have applied for assistance under the Indiramma Housing Scheme. Among these, approximately 10 percent own land and are eligible for financial assistance of up to five lakh rupees to build homes on their plots. However, the vast majority—around 90 percent—do not own any land. This lack of land ownership has posed a significant challenge to housing policy for decades. To address this, GHMC has adopted a vertical housing model. Instead of relocating families to the outskirts or forcing them into temporary shelters, the municipality will build permanent multi-storey structures on public land within the slums. This method will allow residents to remain in their familiar surroundings while enjoying the benefits of safer, cleaner, and legally recognized homes.
The design of these structures will consider essential urban needs, including proper drainage systems, water and power supply, waste management, and accessibility. Planners also intend to include community amenities such as open spaces, recreational areas, and possibly anganwadi centers or skill development facilities for women and youth. GHMC has outlined a clear timeline for the first phase of implementation. The process of appointing consultancy services has already been set in motion. A pre bid meeting for interested agencies will be held on the eighth of this month, and the final date for submission of bids is the eighteenth. Once consultancy agencies are selected, they will be awarded a one year contract to assist in project planning and provide ongoing technical support throughout the implementation period.
Municipal officials have expressed confidence that this initiative will serve as a model for other urban centers grappling with informal settlements and growing housing demand. By focusing on in situ development—constructing houses where people already live—the project minimizes displacement, retains community networks, and speeds up the overall development process. This marks a significant shift in urban policy, moving away from previous models of relocation and towards sustainable community upgrading. It also reflects a growing alignment between central and state level efforts to tackle the urban housing crisis in a more coordinated manner.
As the state prepares for a wider rollout of the Indiramma Housing Scheme, residents of these targeted slum clusters are hopeful that this plan will mark a turning point in their quality of life. For many, the promise of a legal, permanent home in their own community is a dream that has been decades in the making.
With proper execution, this project could significantly transform the urban landscape of Hyderabad, setting a precedent for other Indian metros to follow in addressing the complex issue of slum rehabilitation.
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Hyderabad GHMC to Build Multi Floor Homes for Urban Poor Under Indiramma Housing Scheme
