The Centre plans to work with states to keep land prices lower for affordable housing projects, particularly under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY), Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal said on Saturday.

Addressing the valedictory session of the 17th NAREDCO National Convention, he announced that a meeting with state housing ministers and policymakers will soon be convened to build consensus on the issue, alongside broader reforms to accelerate housing activity nationwide.

He also noted that additional policy reforms required to spur housing activities across the country would be initiated with relevant stakeholders at both the Central and state levels.

In the meantime, he urged the members of NAREDCO to raise this matter with state-level policymakers, since land is primarily a state subject and the Centre has limited jurisdiction except to persuade states to relax land prices for affordable housing.

He further requested that once relaxed land prices are introduced, developers must ensure that affordable housing units are constructed at suitable sites. Choosing substandard locations, he cautioned, could dilute the credibility of the real estate sector.

The minister added that states implementing best practices in housing should serve as role models, with a mechanism developed to replicate these practices across the country for holistic real estate growth.

Among those present on the occasion were G Hari Babu, President, NAREDCO; Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs; and Praveen Jain, Chairman Emeritus, NAREDCO. Both Jain and Hari Babu welcomed the minister’s announcement, describing it as a positive step toward joint policy initiatives between the Centre and states for affordable housing.

On the subject of metro expansion, the minister informed that in the next 4–5 years, India’s metro rail network is expected to expand to nearly 1,500 km, up from the current 1,036 km. He stressed the government’s focus on ensuring last-mile connectivity so that passengers can travel seamlessly and without inconvenience.