Unlocking PSU land for housing is a bold idea

Access to a home is linked to several rights like work, health and social security

India’s housing shortage at the beginning of the 12th FiveYear Plan (2012-17) was estimated at 18.78 million units. This shortage will only become more acute, especially in urban areas, as more and more people pour into the cities from rural areas. As per Census 2001, about 72% of the population lived in rural areas and 28% in urban areas. By Census 2011, this became 69% rural population and 31% urban population. This is the first time since India’s independence that the absolute increase in population was more in urban areas than in rural areas.

One of the key reasons for this housing shortage, in especially in the affordable category, is lack of availability of urban land, rising construction costs, regulatory issues and lack of access to home finance for low-income groups. In a bid to overcome the land challenge, the Centre recently launched a longdelayed process to sell 2,000 acres of unused land belonging to unprofitable State-owned enterprises, which according to some estimates hold more than one million acres of surplus land. If activists are to be believed, India has enough land for all uses, including housing, “if we use our existing resources with prudence”. The need of the hour is to evaluate land use and take stock of land that is locked up with PSUs, especially given the contentious nature of land acquisition.

But the decision to unlock the unused land will not be easy because over the years, the government has failed to sell these lands because of a lack of clear guidelines, inadequate records and a lack of coordination among ministries. Hopefully, the process will now be streamlined. Housing, after all, is not just about having a roof over our heads. Access to adequate housing can be a precondition for the enjoyment of several human rights, including the rights to work, health, social security, vote, privacy or education.