Parliament Question: Proliferation of slums due to migration

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 241 ANSWERED ON 02/02/2026 PROLIFERATION OF SLUMS DUE TO MIGRATION 241. SHRI N.R. ELANGO: Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether large-scale migration of migrant workers from other States, particularly the State of Bihar, to major Tier-I cities has led to overcrowding and the proliferation of slums; and (b) if so, the steps taken by the Central Government to address this issue? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU) (a) & (b): Urbanization and migration are interconnected phenomena driven by better educational, occupational, and economic opportunities. Inter-State migration contributes significantly to economic development by enabling the efficient movement of people across States for improved employment prospects. It supports industrial and urban growth, addresses regional workforce requirements, and enhances overall productivity and income generation. Census of India conducts enumeration of population including migration on decadal basis in the country and the last Census was conducted in 2011. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) does not maintain any data on migration. Land and colonisation are State subjects. Schemes related to slums rehabilitation/redevelopment are implemented by the respective States/Union Territories (UTs) for their citizens to provide for planned economic development in cities and proliferation of slums. However, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) supplements efforts of States/UTs by providing Central Assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-U 2.0 with an aim to provide all weather pucca houses with basic civic amenities to all eligible urban beneficiaries. Based on the project proposal submitted by States/UTs, a total of 122.28 lakh houses including 10.65 lakh under PMAY-U 2.0 have been sanctioned by the Ministry, so far including Bihar. Out of which, 114.84 lakh houses have been grounded and 97.02 lakh are completed/delivered to the beneficiaries across the country as on 22.01.2026. Further, a dedicated vertical of Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) has been provisioned under PMAY-U 2.0. The basic purpose of the ARH vertical is to promote construction of affordable rental housing close to the workplaces of the intended beneficiaries. The ARH vertical aims to create a conducive environment for construction of adequate rental housing for eligible beneficiaries including urban migrants/industrial workers/working women/students/urban poor etc. By promoting housing near employment hubs and workplaces, the scheme aims to reduce travel time and expenses, improve productivity and quality of life and create more inclusive and sustainable urban communities. The Scheme Guidelines of PMAY-U 2.0 are available at https://pmay- urban.gov.in/uploads/guidelines/Operational-Guidelines-of-PMAY-U-2.pdf. *****