With the announcement of the Delhi assembly elections round the corner, prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several key development projects in the capital.

Addressing a large gathering, Modi said that the projects inaugurated today consisted of houses for the poor and projects related to schools and colleges. He greeted those people and women in particular, who he said were starting a new innings in a way. He added that pucca houses were in place of jhuggis and own houses in place of rented houses, indeed meant a new beginning. He remarked that the houses allotted to the people symbolised a house of self-respect, self-esteem and new aspirations and dreams. He added that he was present to be a part of their celebration and festivities.

Recalling the dark days of Emergency (1975-77), Shri Modi said that he and many other party workers like him who were part of the underground resistance movement stayed at Ashok Vihar.

He added that the government was working with a resolution to ensure that every citizen of India would have a pucca house in developed India. He further remarked that Delhi has a major role in the accomplishment of this resolution. Therefore, he added, the central government had started a scheme to replace the jhuggis with pucca houses.

The PM recalled that two years ago, he had the opportunity to inaugurate more than 3,000 houses in Kalkaji Extension for the jhuggi dwellers. He added that those families in which many generations had lived in jhuggis without any hopes had moved into pucca houses for the first time.

The keys to around 1,500 houses were given to the people today. “Swabhiman apartments will boost the self-respect of the people further,” he added.

Emphasising the critical role of cities in shaping a developed India, the PM noted that these urban centres are where people from all over the country come to pursue their dreams. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing quality housing and education to all citizens.

“Our cities are the foundation of a developed India. People come here with big dreams, and they work hard to make those dreams a reality. The central government is committed to providing every family in our cities with a quality life,” he stated.

Outlining the significant strides taken in the housing sector, the PM mentioned the successful implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), under which over 1 crore homes have been constructed across the country in the last decade. “In the last 10 years, over 30,000 new homes have been built in Delhi under this scheme. We are now expanding this effort, and in the next phase, one crore more homes will be constructed for urban poor families across the country,” he added. The Prime Minister also highlighted the financial assistance provided to middle-class families, including large subsidies on home loan interest rates for those earning under ₹9 lakh annually he affirmed. “Our government is ensuring that every family, whether poor or middle-class, has the opportunity to own a good home,” he added.