Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “Beyond shelter, dweller needs within the four walls” which was published in the Hindu. 

• In the interim Budget 2024, the Finance Minister announced the construction of two crore additional houses over the next five years under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) and the introduction of a new housing scheme for the middle class.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Current Status

• Housing for All: Step towards realising the goals of ‘Housing for All‘ initiative.
• Building on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Success: It builds on the success of the PMAY scheme, which has facilitated the construction of nearly three crore rural and 80 lakh urban affordable houses since 2015.

Modern Technologies in Affordable Housing

• Light House Projects (LHPs): Within the framework of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, LHPs are underway as part of Housing Technology Challenge of (GHTC), spanning six sites across six States.
  • These LHPs leverage modern technology and innovative processes so as to reduce construction time and build more resilient and affordable houses for the underprivileged.
• Mivan Technology: This technology utilises advanced aluminium framework, which is recyclable and reusable, to cast and construct various building elements.
  • Mivan offers higher efficiency and reduces the overall duration and cost of the project.

Concerns Associated With Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

• Increased Heat Gain: The extensive use of cement and steel without proper insulation results in increased heat gain from the building envelope, causing thermal distress.
  • Consequently, occupants resort to increased use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners.
  • This reliance on cooling appliances triggers a surge in electricity consumption, thereby contributing to elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Increased Emissions: The predominant use of lower efficiency appliances (despite the availability of high efficiency appliances) owing to lower purchase costs leads to higher electricity consumption and resultant greenhouse gas emissions.
  • This underscores a critical paradox, wherein a technology deemed to offer a low-carbon alternative contributes to elevated emissions during the operational stage.

Way Forward To the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

• Prioritising thermal comfort:  The guidelines embedded within building codes, as demonstrated by initiatives such as Eco Niwas Samhita should be implemented.
  • This framework directs attention towards refining building envelope characteristics pertaining to specific climate zones, thereby facilitating a thermally comfortable environment within built spaces.
  • Smart Ghar III project: The Smart Ghar III project in Rajkot, an affordable housing initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Untenable Slum Redevelopment project, serves as a prime example of achieving indoor thermal comfort through passive design implementation.
• Incorporate technology: An ecosystem change is needed across the entire value chain to encourage the adoption and rightful implementation of the codes. 
  • This requires raising awareness and fostering collaboration among stakeholders and incentivising developers to prioritise passive designs.
• Address Environmental Impact: Considering the growing significance of the building sector and its contribution to GHG emissions, the need to address the environmental impact of construction activities is imperative.
  • Incorporating environmental awareness into housing projects will enable us to construct homes that not only provide refuge for people but also stand as strong defenses against the changing climate.